Quick overview:
Steven Sinofsky, President Windows and Windows Live Division, presents the Windows tablet Surface (Photo: Microsoft)
Real competition for the iPad? Microsoft is launching an attack on Apple with its self-developed Surface tablet PC. The highlight: thanks to clever accessories, the Windows 8 tablets can be transformed into notebooks with a keyboard in an instant. The details of the filmreifen product presentation.
Microsoft took on Apple. The software giant hosted a product presentation in Hollywood. However, the company did not want to reveal what it was all about in advance. Even the exact venue was not known until a few hours before the event. This was supposed to fuel the rumor mill, and it did.
Finally, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Windows development manager Steven Sinofsky revealed the secret. Microsoft is launching its own tablet PC, which will of course run Windows 8. Surface is the name of the iPad competitor with a 10.6-inch touchscreen display (26.9 cm diagonal), which will be available in two versions.
Windows tablet in two versions
The more affordable Surface for Windows RT model is intended for home users. It works with an ARM processor and Windows RT, the Windows 8 offshoot for devices with ARM chips. The RT tablet weighs 676 grams and is 9.3 millimetres thin.
The Surface for Windows 8 Pro variant is intended more for professional use. It comes with a powerful Ivy Bridge processor from Intel and the Pro version of Windows 8. Input is also possible using a stylus. The Intel Surface is slightly heavier and thicker, weighs 903 grams and is 13.5 millimetres thin.
Microsoft Surface - further technical data
Both models have a fold-out metal stand so they can be placed on the table. Surface for Windows RT has a "Cleartype HD display", although Microsoft did not initially reveal the exact resolution. The big brother has a "Cleartype-Full-HD" (1920 x 1080 pixels and is available with either 64 or 128 gigabytes of flash memory. The smaller Surface is available with 32 or 64 gigabytes of memory. Both device variants also have USB and memory card slots, Wi-Fi and cameras on the front and back.
Smart protective covers with extra
Microsoft pulled off a real surprise coup with the protective display cover. Similar to Apple's Smart Cover for the iPad, it adheres magnetically to the tablet, but also has an integrated keyboard - transforming the Surface into a notebook.
Microsoft offers two variants: The Touch Cover, which is available in various colors (grey, white, red, pink, blue), has no real buttons but works similarly to a touchscreen. Sensors in the three-millimetre-thick cover detect the tapping movements of the fingers. Similar to the Ambilight televisions from Philips: If a colorful Touch Cover is docked onto the Surface, the background of the Windows 8 Metro user interface takes on the corresponding color.
In addition to the Touch Cover, Microsoft also offers the five-millimeter-thick Type Cover. It has real buttons that can be pressed in. Both covers also offer a trackpad.
Windows tablet launches in October
Surface for Windows RT should be available in October, in parallel with the market launch of Windows 8. Buyers will have to wait around three months longer for Surface for Windows 8. The sales prices are still open. Microsoft has also not yet revealed whether the devices will be supplied with one of the two protective covers or how much the covers will cost individually.
Product page:
www.microsoft.com/surface/
(Picture above: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/imagegallery/products/default.aspx)
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