Microsoft Surface is a tablet announced by Microsoft.
According to Microsoft there will be two versions of Microsoft Surface. One running Windows RT and another one running Windows 8 Pro.
An interesting feature is that the cover becomes an ultra thin keyboard.
The Windows RT version will have the following characteristics:
- Light: 676 g
- Thin: 9.3 mm
- Clear: 10.6” ClearType HD Display
- Energized: 31.5 W-h
- Connected: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae
- Productive: Office Home & Student 2013 RT, Touch Cover, Type Cover
- Practical: VaporMg Case & Stand
- Configurable: 32 GB, 64 GB
The Windows 8 Pro version will have the following characteristics:
- Light: 903 g
- Thin: 13.5 mm
- Clear: 10.6” ClearType Full HD Display
- Energized: 42 W-h
- Connected: microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae
- Productive: Touch Cover, Type Cover, Pen with Palm Block
- Practical: VaporMg Case & Stand
- Configurable: 64 GB, 128 GB
Microsoft has no data on the mobile information related to Surface.
For a hands-on review click here.
It appears that Microsoft tries to create a tablet that will be comparable to iPad. To my opinion this is a tough task to succeed.
From what I saw, the only feature that is new is the touch cover. I am using a tablet (iPad) for long time now. I bought a keyboard / cover that I do not use. In my opinion this is not a great feature to decide for a purchase of a tablet. You can always buy an external keyboard if you need one.
In my opinion tablet software is still in its infancy. We are approaching the tablet from the wrong angle. Even companies have not decided yet on the features they want to offer for the tablet.
Let’s take for example the iPad. I have the iPad 3G. I do not want to jailbreak it. I cannot use it as a phone. I need to carry 2 devices. A mobile phone and a tablet. I have the simplest mobile phone on the planet (without camera) just to make phone calls and I do all my work using the iPad. Will Microsoft give 3G to Surface? Will Microsoft allow users to make phone calls from their tablets? Will Microsoft use the kinect knowledge to create a more intuitive interface for Surface?
A Lot of questions which only the future can answer.
One Response to “Microsoft Surface”
November 11, 2012
SarahAll I want to know is if it makes phone calls. I am looking into buying this product but I still have a few unanswered questions.