In a rather bold move, Microsoft has introduced their own range of 10.6 inch tablets called the Surface, placing the company in direct competition with hardware makers like Samsung and more importantly, Apple. However, the company has not mentioned the prices of the tablets and the exact date on which they will be officially launched, stating it to be around the same time as the launch of Windows RT and Windows 8. This move clearly shows that the company does not probably trust its OEMs to create a product that can compete with the iPad in the market.
Surface has two versions, the tablet version running on Windows RT on ARM, and the Ultrabook-like Surface Pro, running on Windows 8 on Intel and will be sold in the company’s online stores and retail stores. About the pricing, Microsoft stated that the Window RT tablet’s cost will be comparable to the cost of similar tablets running on the platform, while the ultrabook will cost anything between $650 to $700, the average price of an ultrabook powered by Intel. The Windows RT tablet version is lighter and thinner, thinner than the iPad, though heavier.
The Surface Pro is heavier by half a pound and thicker by two lengths of an inch. They both come with multiple USB ports, USB 2.0 in the tablet and USB 3.0 for the ultrabook and a built-in camera. Office apps including Excel, Word, OneNote and PowerPoint are present only on the Windows RT tablet. About the storage space, the Windows RT tablet offers two configurations of 32GB and 16GB and the Pro offers 128GB and 64GB. No details were given out about the battery life of the products.
The tablet enables easy viewing once propped up with an integrated kickstand. The touch keyboard doubles up as the cover, called the ‘Touch Cover’. The physical keyboard with the track pad is called the ‘Type Cover’, attached with magnetic fasteners. Analysts remain in doubt over the choice of either of the covers and the possibility of them adding to the cost of the product, unless they are included in the package. They are assuming the Type Cover to be a part of the Surface package.
It’s undecided if the tablets will succeed like Microsoft’s Xbox game console or will fail to sell like their Zune and Kin phone products, since little is known about the pricing, battery life, apps offered, marketing and such.
