Microsoft issues challenge to Apple with iPad rival
Microsoft has revealed its new tablet at a press event in L.A. Today.
Opening with a brief summary of Windows 8 and Microsoft's history as a software company, Steve Ballmer pointed to the many successfull hardware innovations pushed by the company, and said that the future lay in the synergy of hardware and software.
The Surface will function with "all Windows 8 apps", allowing users to play games through the Windows store.
Branding the tablet as a mobile PC, Microsoft has unveiled a full multitouch keyboard for the device, a built-in kickstand and full Microsoft office functionality.
In addition, the Surface comes with a stylus that allows users to edit text with digital ink, and magnetizes to the side of the tablet for storage.
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There are a variety of models to choose from, and customers can pick a tactile or multitouch keyboard as well.
The device will be available in 32 and 64 GB models.
The Surface for Windows Pro uses a third generation Intel i5 processor that uses less power than current mobile models, and Microsoft claims the tablet boasts higher specs than "most current high-range ultrabooks".
No released date was announced, and Microsoft said only that the device would be priced competitively with ARM models.
"...the future lay in the synergy of hardware and software." ? What ? he just described Apple Products and they're already here. LOL LMAOF... I own an Android Tablet, Ipad3 and I work at Microsoft, tested apps on the above devices. IMHO. Microsoft is too late and Apple products are so much more elegant. Metro sucks, and Windows is only good for graphic workstations on the cheap.
Why does it seem that nearly everyone loves the Metro interface? It's a mish-mash of squares and rectangles, and I've despised it ever since it showed up in last fall's Xbox 360 dashboard update.
I was initially a bit unexcited... but now the opposite is true. I'm not particularly interested in the Metro version, but the Surface Pro is much more interesting... since it runs the regular version of Windows and allows me to use my entire 20yr back-catalogue of Windows software. An iPad that lets you run Windows apps is a killer feature IMO (and also one that kind of sidelines Metro for a lot of people). Sure, the Intel version will consume more battery... but you're also getting some serious performance, not least (since this is a game-development site) the Intel HD4000 graphics on the new Ivy Bridge chip that has been reported as going in the Surface Pro.
The MS tablet won't be for everybody, but I think a lot of people have been waiting for a decent Windows tablet for a long, long time.
