Live coverage: Microsoft announces Surface tablet

MSNBC Gadgetbox ^ | 6/18/2012 | Wilson Rothman

[bigtoona]

From the mouse to Xbox, the best experience has been when software, hardware and peripherals work together, said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer when he took the stage Monday in Hollywood, Calif. for a mystery announcement. He quickly introduced the Surface tablet. Not Xbox Surface, just Microsoft Surface. It is not a giant table, but rather a tablet meant, in many ways, to compete with the iPad.

But the Surface won't just be on the Nvidia ARM processor, like the iPad. There will also be a Surface that runs on Intel-based processors, to run a full-blown version of Windows 8 Pro.

The ARM-based Surface tabs will come in 32GB and 64GB configs, and will ship around the time of Windows availability. They will be priced to compete with other ARM tablets (presumably, in line with iPads.) The Intel-powered Windows 8 Pro Surface tablets will come 3 months later, in 64GB and 128GB configs, priced to compete with ultrabooks.

The Surface has a 10.6-inch screen, thickness of 9.3mm, "just wide enough for a full-size USB," says Windows chief Steven Sinofsky, who joined Ballmer to show off the goods.

Wilson Rothman / msnbc.com

Windows chief Steven Sinofsky shows off the Surface tablet.

The tablet is tough, with a Gorilla Glass 2.0 screen with a native resolution of 1080p. Like iPads, it has a magnetically connected case, but this "Touch Cover" actually has a full multi-touch keyboard, too. It's 1.8 lbs., and has a kickstand that pulls out when you want to watch a movie. It also has dual-antenna Wi-Fi.

Wilson Rothman / msnbc.com

The Surface tablet has a kickstand built in.

There's also a pen interface. The Intel version of the Surface has DisplayPort, so that it can power a higher-rez monitor.

[bigtoona]

Looks pretty cool!

[Army Air Corps]

Ping.

[RansomOttawa]

There will also be a Surface that runs on Intel-based processors, to run a full-blown version of Windows 8 Pro.

Which means, in theory, it's capable of running a full-blown Linux distro, right? How are the Linux folks doing with multi-touch capability these days?

[Jonty30]

But is anybody willing to shell out $800 for it, because it’s not going to go cheap.

[nascarnation]

I’ve got three grandchildren and bought three iPads.
Might have given the Windows machine a good look but they were > 2 yrs late.

[Revolting cat!]

It’s got a... GASP! LORD HAVE MERCY! keyboard, imagine that. Technological REVOLUTION!

[truth_seeker]

The USB is cool. Otherwise what sets this above iPad and top of the line Android talets?

[Moorings]

Can I be your grandchild? ;-)

[Kirkwood]

Being an avid doodler, I’m liking the pen interface.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I think there may be some unexpected surprises....

Depending on which architecture chip is in this....if an ARM chip then it runs Windows 8 RT ....which WILL NOT run all of the applications written for the current Windows 7 which requires an x86 or x86-64 Instruction Set.

FAQ: All about Windows RT, the OS behind a Microsoft tablet

*********************************EXCERPT**************************************

Both OS X and Windows 8 run on Intel's x86/64 processor architecture, while iOS and Windows RT work only on devices with ARM-licensed CPUs.

[nascarnation]

Ipads weren’t that bad.

It’s when I start buying them cars that it may get a bit painful, LOL.

I’ve got about 10 yrs to plan that one.

[SkyDancer]

ASUS has a pretty nifty notebook size laptop the same size as an Ipad but folds over for $225 USD. Complete with video port and has built-in WiFi and keyboard. And you can connect a printer to it plus several USB ports. Who wants all sorts of greasy fingerprints on their notepad screen that sells for over $600???? Okay, so you can’t hold it up to your ear and make a mobile call. That’s what a mobile is for.

[RightOnline]

Little beastie like that with a full-on Intel proc, keyboard......damn, may actually get me into the tablet world after all. If it runs MS Office Pro version “X” as well....it’s all over.

[adorno]

The USB is cool. Otherwise what sets this above iPad and top of the line Android talets?

Either version of the Win8 tablets comes with a keyboard as part of the system, and not as an afterthought, like the iPad keyboards. They have USB ports, for connecting with other devices, such as hard-drives. The biggest difference, and the biggest plus, they run Windows, and one will be able to run all of the Windows programs that might have been able to run on prior versions of Windows. Can't say the same for Android or Apple tablets.

[House Atreides]

Thinking about this new Microsoft product has me yawning big time.

[truth_seeker]

Thanks.

[SunkenCiv]

:’D

[SunkenCiv]

/bingo

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Ernest.

[Army Air Corps]

Same here. I have a tablet ben for my ASUS tablet and love it. I prefer being able to write rather than type notes.