Surface run Windows RT, which a slimmed down version of Windows 8. It runs on less expensive ARM chips (which is what all iPad and Android tablets use). ARM chips are what gives it killer battery life as well.
The trade off with RT is that you can’t load all your old programs on it. Legacy apps don’t work unless they are ported to the RT platform. To soften that blow Microsoft includes a free copy of Office which runs on RT on every surface.
Surface Pro which will come right after Christmas runs full Windows 8. It will cost more, have lessor battery life than RT, but is effectively a full blown PC in tablet form
I will say that the Surface looks really well made and contains some novel engineering. The OS is a big leap; how do you get new, young customers without alienating your old ones? This is very, very tricky for any company.
Thanks for the info on RT.
It’s hard to keep up these days!