[alanwarwic]

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2405887,00.asp

The rumour has it that it is Microsoft branded.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2405887,00.asp

Only a rumour but I can see the logic of Microsoft branching out from the xbox.

[Helbore]

I don't think its due to launch on Monday, just get announced.

Personally, I think Microsoft should Xbox brand it (XTab, perhaps?) and really push the Xbox integration aspect of it. That way they could capitalise on their existing Xbox fanbase

[Arkudos]

I wonder whether they'll go with x86 or ARM? If they go with x86 you'd be able to use it as a 'full computer' when its docked, but the price would be higher than the iPad so Average Joe wouldn't contemplate it. Use ARM though and you still really need another computer in the house.

[Matt D]

ARM, hopefully.

Unless things have improved recently, I've never seen a decent x86 tablet. All the Windows 7 tablets I've seen have weighed two or three times as much as an iPad, and had less than half the battery life, and that's AFAIK due to using x86 and not something more appropriate for mobile devices. Surely Windows 8 tablets using x86 would have the same issues as their predecessors? OK, maybe they won't be as bad, but still, ARM is far more suitable for tablets.

I do think MS could be in with a shot with this, and perhaps actually provide a serious challenge to the iPad at last. They'd be able to control the software *and* the hardware, and the whole ecosystem, unlike the previous pretenders. EDIT: LOL, then again, as that link said, the same was true for RIM (failed) and HP (failed).

[c4rv]

If its windows RT then it will be ARM based.

[Arkudos]

Mhm. I still don't think its anything to do with a M$ tablet, I bet its just Xbox Music launch or something rather drab like that.

[Batwing]

Originally Posted by Matt D

ARM, hopefully.

Unless things have improved recently, I've never seen a decent x86 tablet. All the Windows 7 tablets I've seen have weighed two or three times as much as an iPad, and had less than half the battery life, and that's AFAIK due to using x86 and not something more appropriate for mobile devices. Surely Windows 8 tablets using x86 would have the same issues as their predecessors? OK, maybe they won't be as bad, but still, ARM is far more suitable for tablets.

I do think MS could be in with a shot with this, and perhaps actually provide a serious challenge to the iPad at last. They'd be able to control the software *and* the hardware, and the whole ecosystem, unlike the previous pretenders. EDIT: LOL, then again, as that link said, the same was true for RIM (failed) and HP (failed).

You are comparing apples to oranges. X86 tablets are so different of a product to what we all know of as tablets today that they can not be fairly compared.

If Microsoft decides on building it's own tablet it would be a risky move as they are in no substantial way a hardware company. Yes, Even considering XBox. They would also be competing against customers that could just say the heck with it and go with free Android. It would be an odd move in a quest to gain market share. Apple can do both because no other manufacturer can use their operating system.

[IvanIV]

I think it will be ARM. They went into all that trouble to make Windows 8 run on ARM, they are not going to try to push x86 tablets now.

[alanwarwic]

Originally Posted by Helbore

That way they could capitalise on their existing Xbox fanbase

I can foresee problems for the general public who buy and get very angry when all their usual Windows software cannot run.

They certainly won't quite be the attraction of 'just owning one' so differentiating is going to be important.

[IvanIV]

I got an email from ms on my wp7 developer account today about Azure update. If this was the expected news, it was rather underwhelming.

[Matt D]

Live blog from Engadget:

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/m...ement-livelog/

[Matt D]

Microsoft Surface. Shock, horror...It's some sort of tablet!

[chopoff]

Thinner than the iPad 3.
Lighter by nearly 100g than the iPad 3.
Widescreen, unlike the iPad 3.

Question is - what kind of hard drive will this come with - I mean Windows 8 is 16-20Gb! I'm guessing the RT version will be a lot lighter.

[chopoff]

A cover that is a touch keyboard - now that is a 'smart' cover, Apple.

[jjesso123]

Originally Posted by chopoff

Thinner than the iPad 3.
Lighter by nearly 100g than the iPad 3.
Widescreen, unlike the iPad 3.

Question is - what kind of hard drive will this come with - I mean Windows 8 is 16-20Gb! I'm guessing the RT version will be a lot lighter.

Standard 32gb-64gb pro 64gb-128gb

1080p screen resolution
display port
PC game support
Photoshop support
I5 third gen intel CPU (unsure if this what retail will come with ) It's bit confusing at the moment what version there showing off.

[chopoff]

You know MS has been recruiting for this for ages, in the open. I just assumed all the Surface job postings related to the previous MS Surface.

[chopoff]

The cover even has an accelerometer! Just trying to wipe the floor with Apple, aren't they?

[jjesso123]

$249 to $699

[wildphantom!]

Microsoft is nailing this. Wonder what the stock markets will be tomorrow, they will sell a ton of these if they are marketed correctly. Wow.

[chopoff]

Pro coming in 64GB and 128GB models, will be priced on par with Ultrabook-class PCs.

Sounds pricey.

[chopoff]

Originally Posted by jjesso123

$249 to $699

where you getting the good info from, Engadget hasn't said anything useful :P

[jjesso123]

Originally Posted by chopoff

where you getting the good info from, Engadget hasn't said anything useful :P

.pcadvisor

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en/us/default.aspx

Video but high demand won't load.

[chopoff]

Ah the about page has the God awful scroll down to paginate thing going on, didn't notice all the stuff.

[Matt D]

So much more interesting and *different* than all the carbon-copy Android tablets.

Love the idea of the Touch Cover - like a Smart Cover, but with a built-in multi-touch keyboard!

ARM Surface running Windows RT. 32GB or 64GB. Priced like comparable ARM tablets. Release date "around" the Windows 8 launch.

Intel Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) Surface running Windows 8 Pro. 64GB or 128GB. Priced like Ultrabooks. Release date "three months after" the Windows 8 launch.

I think the iPad may finally have some serious competition

https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en/us/default.aspx

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/m...let-announced/

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/m...windows-8-pro/

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/m...rt-and-window/

[jjesso123]

Originally Posted by Matt D

So much more interesting and *different* than all the carbon-copy Android tablets.

Love the idea of the Touch Cover - like a Smart Cover, but with a built-in multi-touch keyboard!

ARM Surface running Windows RT. Priced like comparable ARM tablets.

Intel Core Surface running Windows 8 Pro. Priced like Ultrabooks.


I think the iPad may finally have some serious competition

It's what been saying for long time. Where current tablet makers are failing is there has been very little innovation anything that screams wow this tablet looks better than the IPAD It feels better.

I seriously do think if MS market this right they could have winner here. As overall It's better however we know that does not always work out.