Microsoft is finally ready to take on Apple in the tablet market.
In an announcement event today held in Milky Studios in Hollywood, the company unveiled Microsoft Surface.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer described the Surface as a tablet that “works and plays” at today’s press conference.
A tablet demo video that was made available online promised that the tablet was “coming soon.”
A prototype of the Microsoft Surface running on Windows RT software using ARM mobile device chips measured just 9.3 millimeters thick and weighed in at 676 grams.
The device boasts a 10.6-inch, high-def screen and will be available with 32 or 64 gigs of memory.
A model powered by Windows 8 Pro measured 13.5 millimeters thick, weighs 903 grams, and will be available with 64 or 128 gigs of memory.
“It’s a whole new community of computing devices from Microsoft,” Ballmer said. “It embodies the notion of hardware and software really pushing each other.”
Surface features a rear kickstand that props the device up like a picture frame and a cover that, when opened up, functions as keypad.
Microsoft didn’t indicate when Surface would be made publicly available, but many speculate that it will likely be released fairly close to the release of Windows 8 later this year.
What do you think of the Microsoft Surface? Will it be able to take on the already dominant iPad?
More in the video below.
Related articles
- Microsoft to Release Tablet on Monday? (gadgetynews.com)
- Microsoft Xbox Surface predicted back in 2010 (slashgear.com)
- ‘Xbox Surface’ 7-inch tablet said to be on tap for Microsoft event (bgr.com)
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