The dust is starting to settle after Microsoft revealed one of their best kept secrets, Surface. Though it has become overshadowed a bit by the slight controversy Windows Phone 8 has spawned, but a piece of hardware built completely in-house at Redmond is nothing to ignore. It’s certainly sure to upset some of Microsoft’s OEM partners at the very least, at most Surface will be a major contender against Apple and their iPad series.
Microsoft has be trying its darn-est to unify all its platforms under one uniform aesthetic, Metro, and Surface is just another step toward making that a viable reality. Surface will be coming in two flavours, the ARM-based Windows RT and an Intel-powered Windows 8 proper version, both with enough optional upgrades to fit everyone budget. Though no prices have been formally announced I feel Microsoft will be competively pricing these devices, much like they have done with their Lumia series phones.
The Winows 8 RT tablet will weigh in at a measly 676g and feature a 10.6″ ClearType HD display running on Nvidia’s ARM architecture. It supports MicroSD,micro HDMI, USB 2.0 and will have a 2×2 MIMO antennae built in, for better wireless communication. It will come with either 32GB or 64GB of built in storage.
The Windows 8 Pro variation is a little heftier at 903g and will use a more powerful Intel-based processor. The differentiating features are the ability to support MicroSDXC cards, USB 3.0 support and will come with a capacitive pen that enables “palm block”. With more power comes more memory and you can choose either a 64GB version or a whopping 128GB of internal storage for your portable powerhouse.
Both version come with a stand and an attachable touch cover/keyboard, which has a fully functional trackpad that is not common on other tablet keyboards.
Microsoft has a lot riding on this tablet because it will bring about complete unification of all their platforms for those at home and on the go, but if it fails then it may mean that we can only expect the typical shoddy OEM Windows tablets, much like HP has been releasing.
I for one am very excited about this device and will likely be my go to tablet if it lives up to all the hype.
What do you thin, a viable competitor for the iPad and android tablets, or is it too little too late?
