Microsoft today officially announced their new tablet, Surface for Windows, in two flavors, one with ARM chips (just like the iPad) and one with Intel chips, like standard laptops, including Macbooks. This is Microsoft directly competing with Apple for the iPad market, for sure.
Not surprisingly, their foray into making their own hardware focuses on the tech specs, even when they are talking about making the software the main point. The press release calls out the virtues of a cover with a super thin keyboard (called a Smart Touch Cover, an integrated kickstand, VaporMg-branded molded magnesium alloy and the like. There’s no details out yet as to whether the keyboard will come with the tablet or be an add on, as yet.
There’s no mention yet of pricing, but we do know that the RT version (running the ARM chip) will be available at or around the same time as the computer version of Windows 8 will be, with the assumedly more “pro” model available 90 days later. Both models will be sold online and in Microsoft Store locations.
It’s a fairly sweet looking tablet, at least in the product shots and promotional video released today as well. Though, it does look a bit on the thick side, right?
While the iPad’s tech specs are fairly stunning, we also know that the killer feature of Apple’s tablet is the app ecosystem. The only way to compete in a market so utterly owned by Apple will be to encourage and support developers in creating apps for the device, or Microsoft will have a tablet-shaped Zune experience all over again.
We’re sure to keep our eyes on this as more details emerge.
Source: WP Central
Via iMore
Rob LeFebvre is an Anchorage, Alaska-based writer and editor who has contributed to various tech, gaming and iOS sites, including 148Apps, Creative Screenwriting, Shelf-Awareness, VentureBeat, and Paste Magazine. Feel free to find Rob on Twitter @roblef, and send him a cookie once in a while; he’ll really appreciate it.
24 responses to “Microsoft Takes Apple iPad Head On With Surface for Windows”
The cheap one is confusing.
The expensive one will be… expensive.
Surface? What a stupid ass name, I wonder if i can do copious amounts of crack cocaine and bathsalts on this as the ipad tends to scratch when i do such.
Having a non-Windows compatible (read: doesn’t run current Windows applications) Windows tablet (the Windows RT version with the ARM processor) will confuse the hell out of people. The Pro version (that does run current Windows applications) will be expensive and have shitty battery life… or be the weight and thickness of a brick and STILL be expensive.
MS just screwed OEMs like HP, Dell, Acer, Asus, etc …
Not only are they going head to head with Apple but also with all their hardware partners. This is very risky. You can’t sit on both sides of the fence at the same time.
Well you can but you get the proverbial picket up the rear as payment
Because Lip Balm is at the helm of this sinking organization
Ballmer has more money than brains.
They should have called it Microsoft Vista
Well people did ask what Microsoft was doing when it took on Sony in the console market–and look what happened there. It might turn out to be a good product. I won’t be giving up my iPad anytime soon, of course. I do like competition though. Apple won’t make amazing things forever unless there’s some serious competition, and Microsoft has the money and muscle to provide some. Competition is good for everyone. That’s how Apple became so awesome; it had to outmaneuver everyone else.
Let’s just hope this isn’t another “competitor” or “iPad killer” like [insert any tablet here] was supposed to be…
They should have called it the FrankenPad, its all box shaped like Frankensteins head. The keyboard on the cover is a great idea as it will definitely be needed when the user has to type in
The only thing I think is wrong here are the confusing 2 versions. Am I the only one who think’s that the keyboard cover is a pretty damn good idea?? IF Apple had offered this instead of the Smart Cover the majority here (who are lambasting this product) would have called it inspirational! If I could get this for my iPads I’d take it in a heartbeat.
“Though, it does look a bit on the thick side, right?”
Hah, that
SmartTouch Cover keyboard looks really cheap ~Microsoft actually just did a big favor for Apple. The MS Surface tablets will create confusion in the market place as to who is the runner up to the iPad? Android Tablets or Surface Tablets. As iOS will be the only platform that has a vibrant SmartPhone and Tablet market, iOS will continue to be the leader. In theory, Android had the potential to catch up in the tablet market, but with MS coming out with the Surface tablet, it will more realistically harm Android’s chances in the tablet market, more likely than harm iPad as the market leader. If you were a consumer wouldn’t you rather buy iPhones and iPads which are unified rather than a combination of two different platforms. Same thing for businesses.
Didn’t they learn their lesson with the Zune?
The reason for the pro is for corporates to run in house productivity applications written in native Intel code.
Both platform should run Windows RT apps.
I dare say I would be tempted by the ARM tablet to complement a Win 8 desktop.
I still don’t like 19:9 screen (really ugly in portrait mode) =/
Love the keyboard.
I retract my previous statement. They should have called it “The Next of Kin”. Isn’t that who you call after something dies?
They will lose the tablet war as soon as someone says “what about that new Microsoft iPad?”
This announcement is nothing but good for consumers. If its amazing, Apple will step up their game and we’ll see more innovations than otherwise. If it sucks then Apple will step up their game anyway to put themselves even further ahead of the curve.