Microsoft Surface Windows 8 tablet announced

Diangson Louie June 19, 2012 · 2 min read

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Steve Ballmer has just officially announced Microsoft’s own tablet called, Surface, gearing up take Microsoft and Windows 8 in a Mexican standoff with the iPad and Android.

Two models of the Surface will come out – one for Windows 8 Pro and one for Windows RT. Both will have a 10.6 inch display covered with Gorilla Glass 2, bodies made of vapor-deposited (PVD) magnesium case which Microsoft calls Vapor Mg, and a built-in kickstand.

The internals of the Surface are what separate the two models. The Windows 8 Pro model will be powered by Intel’s 22nm Ivy Bridge chips which allow a â€œfull Windowsâ€ experience and will ship in 64GB and 128 GB versions.
On the other hand, the Windows RT model will be powered by an ARM processor and will be using a Nvidia Tegra chipset (heavily suspected to be the Tegra 3+). It is lighter and thinner than the Pro version and will arrive in 32GB and 64GB versions.

Take a look at the initial specs found so far.

The Touch Cover though is one of the nifty features of the Surface. Kinda acts like Apple’s Smart Covers but more functional and gives the Surface its personality through different colors. Watch the promotional video below to give you a deeper understanding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpzu3HM2CIo

So far no details on pricing but Balmer said that it will be priced â€œcompetitively.â€ As for the release date, the tablets are expected to be released in the fourth quarter of this year after the launch of Windows 8.

What do you guys think? Can the Surface go head to toe with the iPad and Android’s elites? Share your thoughts below.

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Diangson Louie

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This article was written by Louie Diangson, Managing Editor of YugaTech. You can follow him at @John_Louie.

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72 Comments

eric · 14 years ago

pwede ba akong maginstall ng pc games jn?

jonas · 14 years ago

nasubukan ko na win8 sa PC te best ang bilis. mas ok para sa akin. android user ako why not use something new. somethng that will blow you away. sinubukan ko rin sa laptop and it rocks. Im just waiting for this “SURFACE” 101% better than IPAD.
if you have surface its a real computer in your hand. magkano kaya dito satin mas mura daw compare sa IPAD.

lester ipapo · 14 years ago

metro UI looks awesome!, but the no. of apps available SUCKS!,it might be to early to have one :(. i’ll just install launcher 7 on my Xperia ray…

powerman · 14 years ago

napapaisip nko kung itutuloy ko pa pagbili ng macbook. hmmmmm

nolierich · 14 years ago

I used WIN8 and I can say it is the most convenient to use operating system today, im quite hesitant about the tablet quality.. maybe it will change as reviews flooded youtube about the ms tab surface..

Dippin Slash · 14 years ago

Good luck on Microsoft stepping up on the tech battlefield for tablets.

Bryan · 14 years ago

anybody saw this video presentation of MS Surface yet?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1zxDa3t0fg&feature=player_embedded

I’m hoping they get the OS running smoothly. I would like to try a Win8 tab someday.

Men · 14 years ago

I would have liked it more if Microsoft releases a Macbook Air-like laptop but with touch screen.

It’ll be a pain to use Surface on your lap, airport chair, or any uneven surface. The kickstand is too gimmicky and ugly to me too.

@Abe I believe the 10.6 inch screen is for the Surface Pro only. Not sure though.

SpiderWak · 14 years ago

Kumusta kaya battery life nito pag nilagay ko sa Windows 8 Pro lahat ng games ko galing steam hahaha..

John · 14 years ago

sana lang dumating sa Pilipinas,

sa mga di nakakaintindi, dalawa version nito

Windows RT – Bawal ang windows 7/xp games or programs, buy ka ng apps sa online store nila, parang ipad or other tablets..

Windows 8 Pro – Ordinary na windows na pwede kang maginstall ng dota, photoshop at iba pa.

Prices?
Windows RT – 22k-30k php (dipende sa storage)
Windows 8 Pro – 45k-60k php

John · 14 years ago

Just make the fcken price right. I’ll get this by then instead of the iPad.

minx · 14 years ago

I have been using Windows 8 for almost a month na. And i could really say na ang ganda ng pagkakagawa ng os. given na hindi nmn high end ang laptop ko but still it runs smoothly and very fast.

when this becomes available in the philippines i’ll definite buy one. :)

mutuelle santÃ© · 14 years ago

Nice aplication. I am lokking forward fot it!!

John · 14 years ago

Application !? What the fuck. Are you high or something ?

enrico · 14 years ago

that’s my dog

Rafraf · 14 years ago

KABOG! I’ve tried Windows 8 on a huge touch screen of Vaio. I played with it sa isang booth in Virra Mall. Maganda ang Windows 8. So now na there’s a tablet designed by Microsoft themselves, KABOG! This is truly an iPad challenger. Not to mention the desktop capabilities. So you can install most desktop software here, I think! :)

RafRaf · 14 years ago

Desktop -> Laptop -> Netbook -> Tablet -> Ultrabook…

Now I understand why Asus made a bigger tablet.

Ll · 14 years ago

Bibili ako kung nakakapag laro ng diablo 3

Gray · 14 years ago

LOL
bibili lang ako ng kotse pag kaya nung lumipad.

Mr A · 14 years ago

Naku. Kailangan na talagang pag aralan ang Metro Interface para makagawa ng apps.

default · 14 years ago

its a windows OS stuck on a tablet’s body, and what can you ask more when you can install any existing programs that you can run on your windows PC. And the cover with a function of a keyboard.

dailjon · 14 years ago

windows 8 is really designed for tablet computing. Microsoft did time this really well for the release. No new technologies for apple or android devices except upgrades.Note that this is a tablet and pc.

Iyan Sommerset · 14 years ago

I’m normally “meh” when it comes to tablets and touchscreen technology, but I remember Microsoft demo-ing a large surface for Dungeons & Dragons hybrid-miniatures play a while back. If this baby can do that (on a smaller scale), I’m ALL IN!!!

watrboy · 14 years ago

mukhang me kelangang pag ipunan :) hope na compatible ang mga windows software.. :)

roiji · 14 years ago

kung android lang ito… whahahaha
sana maganda performance-battery ratio ng Windows 8 sa tablet..

IMNOTAHATER · 14 years ago

not everythimg is better with android

Mica · 14 years ago

This is crazy! I would mind this if the OS functions properly. Looking forward to this device!

heyah · 14 years ago

where is the promotional vid abe? thanks!

Arnold Gamboa · 14 years ago

This will still boil down to the ecosystem.

Lucid Dreamer · 14 years ago

Mejo hindi nga lang issue sa Pinas ang ecosystem kasi a vast majority of the filipinos don’t buy anything online. Pirated movies, mp3s, ebooks, and what have you and use third party apps to read those files. Ang labanan ngayon ay Apps (which is part of the ecosystem i know)! Sa US tightly integrated ang mga software sa system para convenient, pero tayo nga, nagsa-sideload tayo at nagti-tweak para magamit natin according sa need natin :)

oobermensch · 14 years ago

Ecosystem, huh?

Windows Live (which includes Skydrive, Hotmail, Calendar, Messenger), XBOX (which includes Games, XBOX Live, Movies, the upcoming XBOX Music [formerly the Zune music service], Skype, and Windows Phone [which includes Nokia, as well as the incorporation of entertainment services from the XBOX platform].

Again, did you say it will still boil down to the Ecosystem? :P

No problem.

Lucid Dreamer · 14 years ago

Korek na korek hehehe

Arnold Gamboa · 14 years ago

I’ll take it back. We’re still a Windows country, I know.

alloneaian · 14 years ago

I like that you took your comment back. And I agree, MS just reaffirms to us that we’re still in the windows generation.

benchmark · 14 years ago

Just read this sa gsm arena…i think if the price is right, i might choose this one over ipad! I love the cover ala keyboard! I hope the price is really competitive, somewhat around 23k…pero kung nag trenta to…nako, sayo na lang bill gates…ill get myself an ipad 2!