1. Microsoft Announces “Surface” Tablet Running Windows 8
Interested in a tablet, but haven’t fallen in love with the Apple iPad, BlackBerry PlayBook, or
any Android tab? You’re in luck! There’s a new player in town. The first commercial PC designed
for retail sale with Windows 8 by Microsoft has been announced. Microsoft has made some
touchscreen products for commercial retailers before, but it has never designed and sold a
product for traditional retail customers. Early whispers say that the tablet may even compete
with Apple’s iPad, which has held a firm grip on the tablet market since its introduction.
Of course, unlike Apple, Microsoft will still allow
other companies to run Windows 8 on hardware
that wasn’t designed by Microsoft. So if you love
Windows but aren’t willing to try Microsoft
hardware, don’t worry – you won’t lose your
operating system.
Microsoft has stepped into the tablet market
with the Surface tablet, a tablet computer
designed to compete with both iPads and light
notebooks. Microsoft has spent years perfecting the design, according to CNN Money’s David
Goldman, which shows in intriguing extras like tapered screen edges and USB 3 connectivity.
Since there are two kinds of Surface tablets, let’s break down the differences and see what
customers get in each version:
Windows RT Surface Tablet
* 32GB or 64GB memory available
* Microchips from ARM, which run 95 percent of smartphones and tablets
* 9.3 mm wide
* 1.5 pounds
Windows 8 Surface Tablet
* 64GB or 128GB memory available
* Runs on the new Ivy Bridge Intel chips
* 13.5mm wide
* 1.9 pounds

2. * USB 3 connectivity
The Windows 8 Surface tablets will be available about three months after the first version is
released. The new Ivy Bridge Intel chips, the larger configuration, and the extra USB connection
ability can justify the additional cost for the Windows 8 tablets. Both Surface devices, of course,
come with front and rear facing cameras and the high-definition screen.
The Windows RT Surface tablet seems like it’s meant to function more as a tablet, while the
Windows 8 version can replace a laptop with
its significantly higher processing power.
Consumers can ultimately base their purchase
on how much processing power is needed in
their device. If the tablet is mostly for
convenience on-the-go, saving money and
getting a lighter device with the Windows RT
Surface tablet is a no brainer. If it’s being used
as a laptop and needs lots of processing
power, the Ivy Bridge Intel chips can provide
the needed oomph.
The case of both models of Surface is made of tough vapor-deposited magnesium that Goldman
said was rugged, after he briefly handled one at the introduction. It features a sturdy kickstand
that clicks into place with an audible snap and a 3-millimeter thick, magnet-connected cover
that can be flipped down to function as both a keyboard and a touchpad mouse. Microsoft has
said the cover is able to distinguish between resting fingers and typing fingers, something glass-
based keyboards on tablets are currently unable to achieve. The kickstand, supposedly, props
the tablet at the exact right angle for video viewing, which will be a treat for media buffs who
have a difficult time finding the right angle for their tablets.
The Surface tablet running Windows RT will sell for about $499. The Windows 8 version will sell
for about the same price as Microsoft Ultrabooks – around $1000. The almost-double price
difference between the models will surely have some opting for the earlier Windows RT
version, if only to try the hardware before committing to the higher price on the Windows 8
“Surface.”
Article Source: http://blog.zco.com/microsoft-surface-tablet/