Everything We Know About the Microsoft’s Surface Tablet for Windows
In this article, I will tell you everything we know about the Surface tablet, including features, specs, Touch/Type Cover, different between Windows RT & Windows 8 Pro, and more.
Surface, the Microsoft’s Windows tablet. It is also first Windows hardware of the giant company. There are two versions of Surface tablet, each target for tablet and PC (Ultrabook) markets: Surface for Windows RT and Surface for Windows 8 Pro.
The Windows RT version is super thin, only 9.3mm. That’s 0.1 mm thinner than the New Apple iPad (2012). The Windows 8 Pro version is 13.5 mm thick.
Surface tablet uses 10.6-inch 16:9 widescreen ultra-wide viewing angle display which is perfect for watching movies. The Pro version has higher resolution (Full HD) than the RT version (HD).
Both Surface versions have a memory card slot and full size USB port. RT version supports microSD and USB 2.0, while Pro version supports microSDXC and USB 3.0. Pro version also gets a specialy designed stylus with palm block.
Surface tablet has a build-in kickstand at the back to holds it up. The angle is not adjustable, though.
No information about CPU speed, RAM, battery life from Microsoft, yet.
Table of Contents
Touch Cover & Type Cover
Microsoft has designed two tablet covers for Surface: Touch Cover and Type Cover. Both covers connects to Surface via magnets on the tablet’s side. Both covers have built-in accelerometer that it turns off to save power and prevent accidental input.
Touch Cover is only 3mm thick. When opened up, it is a full multi-touch keyboard with trackpad. It uses pressure-sentitive technology, which Microsoft claims will make you types faster than on-screen keyboard. It can also distinguish between you actually typing or resting hands on the keyboard.
Type Cover has physical keyboard keys and trackpad and it is 2mm thicker than Touch Cover.
There are 5 colors for the covers: Black, White, Blue, Red, Pink. It seems Black is only for Type Cover.
Windows RT vs. Windows 8 Pro
In case you have not know the different between Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro, here is a simple summary to help you decide which Surface version is more suitable to you.
Windows RT is designed for tablet device. It only runs WinRT runtime (Metro-style apps), not Windows software(x86). Microsoft Office RT is bundled in Windows RT (read: free Microsoft Office!).
Windows 8 Pro is PC operating system. It can install both Metro-style apps and normal Windows software(x86). Win8 Pro does not have MS Office installed out of the box.
In a nutshell, Windows RT version is like an iPad that does not run your PC software. Want a tablet that runs all of your Windows software? Get Windows 8 Pro version.
Specs
Here are the Surface tablet specs (based on Engadget) that we know at the moment. Microsoft has not reveal more information such as CPU speed, RAM, battery life, and price.
Surface tablet for Windows RT
- Processor: NVIDIA Tegra-based ARM chip
- Weight: 676 g
- Thickness: 9.3 mm
- Display: 10.6-inch ClearType HD capactive touchpanel
- Battery: 31.5 Wh
- I/O: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae
- Camera: 2 cameras (rear & front)
- Audio: steero speakers and dual microphones
- Software: Windows RT + Office Home & Student 2013 RT
- Accessories: Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand
- Capacity: 32 GB / 64 GB
- Availability: “Around†the Windows 8 launch (fall 2012)
- Pricing: To be determined (“on par with other Windows RT tabletsâ€)
[box type=info]SEE ALSO:Â Microsoft Surface RT Price and Availability in Malaysia[/box]
Surface tablet for Windows 8 Pro
- Processor: Intel Core i5 (Ivy Bridge)
- Weight: 903 g
- Thickness: 13.5 mm
- Display: 10.6-inch ClearType Full HD (1080p) capactive touchpanel
- Battery: 42 Wh
- I/O: microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, 2×2 MIMO antennae
- Camera: 2 cameras (rear & front)
- Audio: steero speakers and dual microphones
- Software: Windows 8 Pro
- Accessories: Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand, Pen with Palm Block
- Capacity: 64 GB / 128 GB
- Availability: “3 months after†the Windows 8 launch (fall 2012)
- Pricing: To be determined (“on par with Ultrabook-grade laptopsâ€)
[box type=”info”]SEE ALSO: Microsoft Surface Pro in Malaysia[/box]
Here is the the first video of Microsoft Surface tablet
http://youtu.be/dpzu3HM2CIo
The official site of Surface tablet is Surface.com
My two cents
Slim, lightweight, run Windows, microSD slot, full-size USB port, Touch Cover.. Surface has interested me.
Will  Surface tablet  becomes an iPad and Ultrabook killer? If Surface gives 10 hours battery life, instant on, and the right price — Maybe.
There are many people wish to have a lightweight tablet computer that will run Windows software and takes handwriting input. Surface seems to answer it.
By the way, do not forget that there are other Microsoft partners who will manufacture Windows tablets, too! Now the manufactures not only need to compete with iPad but also Microsoft’s own tablets. Poor them!
We expects to see many Windows tablets and hybrid PC later this year. Hold your purchase first (it is not available yet, anyway).
