The surface IS a working tablet. Some of the top technology magazines/sites/writers including Wired had hands on with it, and for the most part, were pretty impressed with t.
Wired:
"Hands-On With Microsoft Surface Tablet for Windows RT
“But how does the device actually look and feel up close?
I spent some hands-on time with Microsoft Surface for Windows RT right after the announcement
The Surface tablet is definitely impressive, and it’s clear that Microsoft is serious about manufacturing full-fledged mobile hardware. The company’s hardware division, most known for making mice and keyboards, has come out of its software counterpart’s shadow to create a tablet that can rival the iPad and wipe out Android devices
It’s a simple setup, and again, it just plain works....
From what I saw at the event, Surface is a serious, refined, clever piece of hardware. The tablet is well-built, and comes with a lot of cool features #151; like the kickstand and available ports — that comparable tablets lack”
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/06/hands-on-with-microsoft-surface-tablet-for-windows-rt/
Links for plenty of other hands on reviews from other tech sites:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=hands+on+with+surface+tablet&gbv=2&oq=hands+on+with+surface+tablet&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=hp.3...3625.10595.0.10860.28.20.0.8.3.0.78.1030.20.20.0...0.0.LsCaKhkMGpc
“released specs, announced prices, and a specific release date”
I am not worried about release date and prices right now. The price will be announced when the release date is announced. After all, its not for sale for a few months yet(same as the iPhone wasn't for sale for some months after its announcement), so why be in a hurry to specify the price?
“That's a big difference”
Only in the eyes of fanatic Applebots, who are in a panic over the rave reviews that the surface has been getting, and are looking for something to nick pick over.
Companies do that(announce a new product without a price/shipping date) all the time.
For example, Nintendo just announced their new Wii video game console(called Wii U), at the huge just completed E3 video game exposition, with all kinds of great new games for it that they demonsrtated, but then gave no indication of the price or the launch date all, except we know it will probably be launched before the holidays at the end of the year.:
Wii U launch date/price rumors etc here:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=wii+u+launch+date&gbv=2&oq=wii+u+launch+date&aq=f&aqi=g3g-m1&aql=&gs_l=hp.3..0l3j0i5.1141.5860.0.6938.17.13.0.4.4.0.62.594.13.13.0...0.0.Ath3zHTJl_g
I don't remember any Applebots making an issue of that, or any Applebots screaming out when at the just completed big computer show in Taiwan(Computex), so many ODM’s lined up to show a wide range of their upcoming Windows 8 tablets/hybrids, and not even one of them had a shipping date or price on it. But then the moment Microsoft comes out with a surface tablet that is just wowing the tech press, the rabid Applebots are out in force screaming: “We demand a price and shipping date”.
For what?
You are not buying one anyways, so why demand a price/shipping date?
I'm NOT demanding either. I'm pointing out that Apple never announces a product without providing specs, working product in all aspects, shipping date, and price.
As to the "hands on" experience in your article, I reiterate my comment that the product is not yet fully functioning. From your linked Wired article:
But as much as the tablet promises stellar build quality, there are still several question marks. For one, Microsoft wouldn’t let anyone actually test the keyboard function of the Touch Cover or the Type Cover. Nonetheless, PR reps kept assuring us that you can type very quickly on it — more than 50 words per minute, according to one Surface team member.In other words, it's not fully functional yet; not ready for prime time.