Microsoft’s ‘major announcement’ has confirmed one theory that you cannot take technology rumors lightly. There were strong rumors floating in the media that Microsoft is on the verge of announcing its own tablet and these speculations have indeed proven true. As speculated, Microsoft has arrived in the fast expanding tablet market with its own Surface tablet to take on Apple’s market-ruling iPads.
Microsoft made major announcement about launch of its Surface tablet in Los Angeles on Monday at a mystery conference as they did not reveal the agenda before hand. Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer described the Surface tablet that “works and plays” when he showed it off at a press event.
The Surface tablet has been designed and developed by Microsoft and will be available in two versions. First version of Surface tablet will be running on Windows RT software and powered by ARM processor. It’ll be 9.3 millimeters thick and weighs 676 grams,10.6″ ClearType HD Display, microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 32 GB or 64 GB memory.
The second version of Surface tablet will run on Windows 8 Pro with a third-generation Intel Core processor. This tablet will measure 13.5 millimeters thick, weighs 903 grams and will be available with 64 or 128 GB of memory. Its other features are, 10.6″ Clear Type Full HD Display, micro SDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort Video.
Surface tablet has a magnesium casing and the standard front and rear cameras. Surface for Windows RT will release along with Windows 8 and the Windows 8 Pro model will be available few months later.
Some of the distinctive and innovative features of Surface tablet are integrated kickstand and the second is a 5-mm think touch cover. The covers appear very similar in basic function to Apple’s smart covers, but the twist comes with a virtual keyboard on the Touch Cover and a tactile keyboard on the Type Cover.
Microsoft has not announced the prices of newly announced tablets and also not revealed its battery details. These details have been kept under the carpet and will surface close to the heels of availability of these tablets. It is expected that prices of Surface tablet will be very competitive and only then Microsoft will have a chance to make a mark in tablet market with its own hardware.
The question remains how the prospective buyers will receive this late entry. “It’s a bold challenge against Apple, but a lot will depend on the details of price, battery life, ecosystem,” said Gartner analyst Michael Gartenberg.
