Microsoft Surface Tablet is a line of tablet computers designed and marketed by Microsoft. The Surface will be available in two versions, one that runs Windows RT and one that runs Windows 8 operating systems. Microsoft has announced that different versions will be available featuring ARM and Intel CPUs and the display is a 10.6″, 16:9 widescreen HD Display (RT version), or Full HD Display (Pro version). The product was announced by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at a Los Angeles event on June 18, 2012, at Milk Studios.
The Surface for Windows RT is a 10.6-inch device that will include Office Home & Student 2013 RT (the next version of Microsoft’s Office 15 apps). It will include support for a magnetically attachable cover that lets you touch type and a kickstand. It will be configurable as a 32 GB or 64 GB device.
The Surface Windows 8 Pro device also is 10.6 inches and includes the same cover option. It is configurable as a 64 GB or 128 GB device and also adds pen support.
Hardware
The Microsoft Surface line features VaporMg, the molded magnesium casing that houses Surface’s components paired with a PVD finish, which is a manufacturing process that produces a durable finish. VaporMg allows magnesium to be melted down and molded to the details needed for Surface. Also included in both Surface models is a USB port, a micro-SD slot, and a magnetic strip to attach accessories such as the ‘Touch Cover’ and ‘Type Cover’. There are also two cameras, front-facing and rear-facing. The front-facing camera will be angled at 22 degrees to allow proper framing of another person while the “kickstand” is in use.
For the CPUs, the Surface with Windows RT will use an Nvidia ARM CPU. The Windows 8 Pro Surface will utilize an “Ivy Bridge” Core i5 quad core chip like the chips in current Windows laptops.
The Surface device demoed in the Microsoft Surface Events had a new connection port with 5 pins. This was acknowledged as a magnetic charging connector during Microsoft’s presentation event by Steve Sinofsky.
Accessories
Microsoft will offer two keyboard covers for Surface: Touch Cover and Type Cover. Both, when folded up, serve as protective covers that connect to the Surface via a magnetic connector. When opened, the covers are keyboards. The Touch Cover is 3 mm in thickness and has a touch-sensitive keyboard. The Type Cover is thicker and includes a more traditional keyboard. Both also include a multitouch touchpad.
Microsoft Surface Specs
– A full-sized USB port and a 16:9 aspect ratio angled at 22 degrees.
– 10.6″, 16:9 widescreen HD Display.
– Integrated Kickstand: Built-in kickstand lets users move Surface from active use to passive consumption.
– Touch Cover: 3 mm pressure-sensitive Touch Cover senses keystrokes as gestures will come in different colors
Microsoft came out with a couple of Surface models. One runs an ARM processor for Windows RT, the other an Intel core processing chip for Windows 8 Pro.
Surface for Windows RT
– OS: Windows RT
– Light(1): 676 g
– Thin(2): 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 ’15’ Apps, Touch Cover, Type Cover
– Practical: VaporMg Case & Stand
– Configurable: 32 GB, 64 GB
Surface for Windows 8 Pro
– OS: Windows 8 Pro
– Light(1): 903 g
– Thin(2): 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