PinoyTechBlog
  • Tech News
  • Reviews

PinoyTechBlog

  • Tech News
  • Reviews
Laptops & Tablets

Microsoft announces its own tablet, calls it "Surface"

by Calvin June 19, 2012
written by Calvin June 19, 2012

Earlier at a press event in L.A., Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer unveiled their latest “œbig” device that will hit the market. A 10-inch tablet they call Surface.

microsoft surface

I find it surprising that Microsoft is now entering the hardware computing space when they’ve only been doing peripherals before, since they already have a long list of big brands to handle hardware development. Having the Surface PC will compete not only with Apple’s iPad but with other upcoming Windows 8 tablets as well.

Anyway, the Surface is here and Microsoft is showing the world how a Windows tablet should be made. There are two Microsoft Surface PC versions, an Intel-based tablet running on Windows 8 Pro and one based on the ARM chipset with Windows 8 RT.

microsoft surface kickstand

Both tablets have a 10.6-inch Gorilla Glass 2 display and a vapor-deposited (PVD) magnesium chassis with a built-in kickstand. Microsoft describes it as being “œrigid” yet “œlight” and feels “œnatural” when handling. There’s not much difference between the two in terms of design, just the physical size and weight of the device.

Here’s a specs comparison between the two models.

  Surface for Windows 8 Pro Surface for Windows 8 RT
OS Windows 8 Pro Windows 8 RT
Screen 10.6" 1920×1080 10.6" 1366×768
Processor Intel Core i5 Ivy Bridge ARM-based Nvida
Storage 64GB, 128GB 32GB, 64GB
Thickness 13.5mm (0.53") 9.3mm (0.36")
Weight 903g (1.99lbs) 676g (1.49lbs)
Battery 42Wh 31.5Wh
Connectivity microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae
Pen support Yes No
Accessories Touch Cover, Type Cove Touch Cover, Type Cover
Est. Price ~$800+ ~$400-$600

A thing of note for those who are thinking about Windows 8 RT version and its ARM-based tablet. It’s similar to Android tablets in a way that it’s not a full-blown version of Windows 8. You can’t freely install your applications and games like you would on an Intel-based tablet running Windows 8. To make things simple, it’s like Apple’s iOS vs their Mac OS X.

microsoft touch type covers

Accessories initially available for the Surface include a Touch Cover which is very similar to the magnetic Smart Cover of Apple, but this one has a touch keyboard and touchpad on the inside as well. Type Cover on the other hand is a cover with depressable a keyboard.

As for availability, the Windows RT tablet will ship around the same time that Microsoft releases Windows 8 (expected in October), while the Intel-based Pro tablet will arrive about three months later.

For more technology news and gadget reviews, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
microsoftmicrosoft surfacemicrosoft tabletsurfacesurface tablettabletwindows 8windows 8 rt
8 comments
0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
Calvin

previous post
Samsung refreshes Series 9 with Intel Ivy Bridge, now properly an Ultrabook
next post
Acer officially launched Aspire S5 Core i7 Ultrabook

You may also like

Microsoft Surface Go 2 for Business arrives in...

February 24, 2021

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go for Business launched, priced

February 24, 2021

Microsoft brings Surface Pro 7+ for Business in...

February 24, 2021

Handy Office 365 Tools and Apps to Pair...

September 28, 2020

Filipino students bag bronze at int’l Microsoft tilt

March 11, 2019

Microsoft is Working on 4K Webcams for Windows...

December 26, 2018

Follow us!

Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

Instagram

No images found!
Try some other hashtag or username

Categories




Recent Posts

  • Asia Pacific Predator League 2020/21 forges on this April

    February 27, 2021
  • Samsung Galaxy A02s: Specs rundown

    February 26, 2021
  • Samsung Galaxy A12: Specs rundown

    February 26, 2021
  • Realme C15 Review

    February 26, 2021

Follow Us

Facebook

Latest Videos



Subscribe!

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest tech news and gadget reviews!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Email
Footer Logo

@2018 - PinoyTechBlog. All Rights Reserved.