Microsoft Announces Two New Microsoft Surface Tablets

News
By Jane McEntegart
published

The mystery has been solved! Or should we say revealed?

Microsoft last week announced plans for a secret event in Los Angeles this evening. The company offered no indication as to what it could possibly be planning to show us, but rumors suggested Redmond was preparing to debut an own-brand tablet. Needless to say, Microsoft's didn't disappoint, with not one but two versions of a new tablet called the Microsoft Surface. The first is an ARM powered device based on Windows RT, while the second is a full Windows tablet based on Intel technology.

 

The ARM-powered Microsoft Surface is 9.3mm thick and has a 10.6-inch display as well as a kickstand that flips out of the back of the device's magnesium casing. This kickstand is especially useful when used in conjunction with the Surface's cover. Boasting a similar clip-on design as Apple's SmartCover, the Surface's cover actually doubles as a full multi-touch keyboard complete with trackpad. This case measures in at 3mm thick.

 

Microsoft also showed off the Surface for Windows 8 Pro, which is a full PC based on an Intel Core i5 CPU. The tablet is slightly thicker than the ARM-powered Surface, measuring in at 14mm thick and weighing 2lbs, but it comes with that same awesome multitouch keyboard/trackpad cover. In addition, it also comes with both pen and touch input, and the TypeCover, which is the same as the multi-touch cover but with real physical buttons.

No pricing just yet, but Microsoft said today that the ARM version would be available in 32GB and 64GB capacities and priced "like comparable tablets based on ARM." So take from that what you will. As far as the Surface for Windows 8 Pro is concerned, you're looking at 64GB and 128GB models, with pricing matching that of an Ultrabook PC. Availability is set for around the same time as the Windows 8 launch. 

So, who wants one?

[UPDATE] It looks like surface.com is live. Right now it's showing off a lovely Surface tablet in Lumia blue. Altogether now: "Oooooh!"

[Update 2] Surface.com, now with more sexy video action (thanks, kcorp2003)! Something about the music makes me want one of these even more. That's the marketing team's job done, I guess. Check it out below.

Photos by Devin Connors.

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Jane McEntegart
70 Comments Comment from the forums
  • belardo
    I pooped my pants!! This is SOOO exciting.


    Nope, not really.

    If they ripped out Metro from Windows 8 for desktop computers, that would be something cool.
    Reply
  • belardo
    Anyone else think the name "surface" is about as lame as... well, Zune?
    Reply
  • derkman
    It's over. Apple is finished.
    Reply
  • dalethepcman
    No pictures of the Microsoft tablets? :( I hope they make one with built in WiDi
    Reply
  • dalethepcman
    Thanks for the pic's and the update. :)
    Reply
  • DRosencraft
    Lame naming scheme aside, the details are promising in tablet terms. Need a few more details, however. No mention on life of the battery, resolution, that sort of thing. Even though I don't like tablets much, this sounds like it could be an interesting play in the market for MSFT. From a business perspective, however, I wonder if they might want to spread out their release schedule a bit. It seems they have a lot of things launching at about the same time this fall. Might be a better idea to spread it over a few weeks rather than dumping it all at once.
    Reply
  • JMcEntegart
    dalethepcmanThanks for the pic's and the update.
    You're welcome! :)

    belardoAnyone else think the name "surface" is about as lame as... well, Zune?
    Remember when everyone laughed at the iPad's name? I think Surface is better than iPad.

    I'm intrigued, though it sounds like the Wintel option will be pricey (ultrabook prices ... eek). I want a Windows 8 device, and I want it to be a touchscreen device. I also want it to be light so I can throw it in my purse when I travel. However, I don't know if I am ready to pay ultrabook pricing for a 10.6-inch device. Sigh...
    Reply
  • CaedenV
    I hope this does not share the same fate as previous projects with the 'Surface' title :)
    Looking on the surface.com website it looks pretty cool! Not entirely sure it will be an iPad killer, but it is definitely packing a lot of the features we have been waiting for, and most definitively a netbook killer.

    I hope that the keyboard has some flex to it... It would be rather award to have that thing hanging around when you are not using it. But I would still rather have an integrated keyboard than not.

    ... Anyone else confused by MS picking '70s earth-tone colors for their Win8 interface, and then using '90s bright flashy colors for the cases? Personally I would like something a little more in-between the two for both the OS and the case.
    Reply
  • animeman59
    My initial impression... Not bad Microsoft. Not bad.

    I can definitely imagine myself traveling around with this, and being able to play with my indie Steam titles or emulators while on the go.

    Now all we need are exact hardware specs to see what's under the hood. Price the ARM tablet at $399, and the Intel tablet at $799, and you got a sale.
    Reply
  • math1337
    Windows RT version? Don't care

    Real version? Sounds like an Eee slate, but better. I want one.
    Reply