Windows 8 comes to a tablet

Surface1

 

We’ve seen Windows 8 on all kinds of devices due to the preview copies that Microsoft has put out recently, but we hadn’t seen it on a tablet until today.  In a surprise announcement, Microsoft has shown us what Windows 8 was really meant for.

Here are some specs of the new Microsoft Windows Surface Tablets:

Surface for Windows 8 Pro tablet

  • Processor: Intel Core i5 (Ivy Bridge)
  • Weight: About 2 lbs
  • Thickness: 13.5 millimeters
  • Display: 10.6-inch ClearType Full HD (1080p) capactive touchpanel
  • Battery: 42Wh
  • I/O: microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, 2×2 MIMO antennae
  • Software: Windows 8 Pro
  • Accessories: Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand, Pen with Palm Block
  • Capacity: 64GB / 128GB
  • Availability: “Three months after” the Windows 8 launch this fall
  • Pricing: To be determined
Surface for Windows RT tablet
  • Processor: NVIDIA Tegra-based ARM chip
  • Weight: About 1.5 lbs
  • Thickness: 9.3 millimeters
  • Display: 10.6-inch ClearType HD capactive touchpanel
  • Battery: 31.5Wh
  • I/O: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae
  • Software: Windows RT + Office Home & Student 2013 RT
  • Accessories: Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand
  • Capacity: 32GB / 64GB
  • Availability: “Around” the Windows 8 launch (fall 2012)
  • Pricing: To be determined

Surface2Surface4Surface5Surface3

 

Pricing has been rumored to be around the cost of an Ultra-book for the Pro version of the tablets (which puts them around $1000) and that seems REALLY high to me.  Also, bundling office with the ARM based tablet and not the Intel based tablet seems like a serious misstep on MS’ part.

The accessories that are releasing with the tablets are what I’m looking forward to (in order to push other manufacturers to copy their designs).  The touch cover is a thin silicone cover that doubles as a keyboard and the type cover is a ultra-thin hard plastic keyboard with a little more body to it.  Overall, I’m worried about how well these are going to sell with such (rumored) high price tags.  Apple’s iPad is only $500 and can do most of what these tablets will be able to do.  Also, Microsoft has tried tablets before and judging by how many of those you see on desks across the US I think we can all guess how that venture turned out.

What do you think about the new tablets?  Do you remember the original product called “Surface”?

About Jesse (The Pen of Doom)

A small time blogger with big time dreams and a love for everything geek.
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