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Microsoft Surface

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For the interactive surface computing platform formerly known as Microsoft Surface, see Microsoft PixelSense.

Microsoft Surface
File:Microsoft Surface with Touch Cover.png
DeveloperMicrosoft
TypeTablet computer
Release dateSurface
October 26, 2012[1]
Surface Pro
January 2013
Operating systemWindows RT (Surface)
Windows 8 Pro (Surface Pro)
CPUARM (Surface)[2]
Dual-core Intel Core i5 (Surface Pro)
StorageSurface
32 or 64 GB and microSD slot
Surface Pro
64 or 128 GB and microSDXC slot
DisplaySurface
10.6 in ClearType HD screen with 16:9 aspect ratio
Surface Pro
10.6 in ClearType Full HD screen with 16:9 aspect ratio
InputMulti-touch screen, Touch Cover, Type Cover
Surface Pro
Pen with palm block
Connectivity2×2 MIMO Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n)

Surface
USB 2.0, micro HDMI

Surface Pro
USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort
Power31.5 W-h (Surface)
42 W-h (Surface Pro)
Mass676 g (Surface)
903 g (Surface Pro)
Websitewww.surface.com

Microsoft Surface is a planned series of tablet PCs designed and marketed by Microsoft. The Surface will be available in two versions, "Surface" and "Surface Pro". "Surface" will run the Windows RT operating system and use an ARM CPU. "Surface Pro" will run the Windows 8 Pro operating system and use an Intel CPU.[3][4] The display is a 10.6-inch, 16:9 widescreen HD Display (Surface), or Full HD Display (Surface Pro).[5] The product was announced by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at a Los Angeles event on June 18, 2012, at Milk Studios.[6]

Hardware

The Microsoft Surface line features VaporMg, pronounced "VaporMag", the molded magnesium casing[7] that houses Surface's components paired with a PVD finish, which is a manufacturing process that produces a durable finish.[8] VaporMg allows magnesium to be melted down and molded to the details needed for Surface and allows Surface to weigh 1.5 pounds. 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.[9] The rear-facing camera will be angled at 22 degrees to allow proper framing of another person while the "kickstand" is in use. The "kickstand" is a .77 mm thick built-in stand that spans the width of the device and allows Surface to be propped up at an angle in landscape orientation for a hands-free viewing experience. Surface Pro has perimeter venting which allows air to flow out the sides, and helps avoid airflow being impeded by hands holding the device.

For the CPUs, the Surface with Windows RT will use ARM CPUs (residing in the Nvidia Tegra SoC).[2][10]

The Surface device demoed in the Microsoft Surface Events had a new connection port with five pins. This was acknowledged as a magnetic charging connector during Microsoft’s presentation event by Steven Sinofsky.

Display

Surface and Surface Pro both have screens of 10.6-inch with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Both tablets use Microsoft's ClearType HD display technology and support an ultra-wide viewing angle and auto-adjusting screen intensity. As of August 2012, Microsoft has not revealed the resolution of the displays, but says Surface will have an "HD Display" and Surface Pro will have a "Full HD Display". In announcement talk, Michael Angiulo said that when Surface Pro is held at 17 inches, the eyes will not be able to distinguish between individual pixels.[11][12]

Touch Cover and Type Cover

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 strip. 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 tactile keyboard. The keyboards have a gyroscope and accelerometer sensors to determine, based on position, whether or not to accept input. Both also include a multitouch touchpad.[13]

Availability

The Surface will be available with general availability of Windows 8, which will launch on October 26, 2012. The Surface Pro will be available three months after that.[14][15] The Surface will initially be available in Microsoft Stores and online.[15]

Pricing

Microsoft Windows President Steven Sinofsky stated at the LA conference that "suggested retail pricing will be announced closer to availability and is expected to be competitive with a comparable ARM tablet for Surface RT and Intel Ultrabook-class PCs for Surface Pro version. OEMs will have cost and feature parity on Windows 8 Pro and Windows RT." Trendforce's Eric Chiou has warned that this price point could confuse consumers and hurt Ultrabook sales.[16]

Industry response

Several personal computer OEMs, whose products have traditionally run Microsoft operating systems, have felt anywhere from neutral to positive about the release of the Surface device.[17] HP, Lenovo, and Dell[18] applauded Microsoft's decision to create their own Tablet PC and said that their relationship with Microsoft hasn't changed. John Solomon, senior vice president of HP, said that "Microsoft was basically making a leadership statement and showing what's possible in the tablet space".[19][20] Acer founder Stan Shih said that he believed Microsoft only introduced its own hardware in order to establish the market and would then withdraw in favor of its OEMs.[21]

However, others believe that OEMS were left sidelined by the perception that Microsoft's new tablet will replace their products.[22][23] MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor described the product announcement and launch as "mistakes" that would alienate Microsoft's partners and customers,[24] and Acer chairman JT Wang advised Microsoft to "please think twice".[25]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Microsoft's new iPad rival Surface for Windows RT release date". Eurogamer. July 30, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Nvidia confirms Tegra under the hood of Microsoft Surface Win RT edition". moneycontrol.com. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  3. ^ Biddle, Sam (June 18, 2012). "What is the Microsoft Surface Tablet?". Gizmodo. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  4. ^ "Live from Microsoft's 'major announcement' event". The Verge. June 18, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  5. ^ "Surface spec sheet" (PDF). Microsoft. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  6. ^ Sullivan, Mark. "Microsoft Announces New 'Surface' Tablet PC". PCWorld. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  7. ^ "Microsoft Live Blog Tablet Announcement". The Verge. June 12, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  8. ^ "PVD Finish". House Of Antique Hardware. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  9. ^ "Microsoft Live Blog Tablet Announcement". The Verge. June 12, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  10. ^ Brown, Rich. "Microsoft Surface RT Overview & Specs - Tablets - CNET Reviews". Reviews.cnet.com. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  11. ^ "Windows Newsroom". Microsoft.com. February 29, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  12. ^ "Get to know what is Microsoft Surface in Brief". MyPhoneFactor.in. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  13. ^ "Microsoft unveils Surface tablets –". Usatoday.com. November 28, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  14. ^ Vance, Ashlee (July 9, 2012). "Why Microsoft's Surface Tablet Shames the PC Industry". Bloomberg Businessweek.
  15. ^ a b "Microsoft Announces Surface: New Family of PCs for Windows" (Press release). Microsoft. June 18, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  16. ^ Sharwood, Simon. "Analyst says Surface could hurt Ultrabook, Windows 8 tablets." The Register, August 2, 2012.
  17. ^ Kan, Michael (8/17/2012). "Lenovo Not Worried About Microsoft's Surface Tablet, Expects to Beat It". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ http://www.thevarguy.com/2012/08/21/windows-8-launch-microsoft-surface-michael-dells-spin/
  19. ^ http://www.crn.com/news/mobility/240006536/hp-targets-microsoft-surface-with-new-windows-8-convertible-pc.htm
  20. ^ http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9230774/Lenovo_exec_welcomes_Microsoft_tablet_competition
  21. ^ Epstein, Zach (June 20, 2012). "Microsoft's tablet efforts are fleeting, says Acer founder". BGR Media.
  22. ^ Crothers, Brooke (June 27, 2012). "Microsoft to feel Surface heat from PC makers". CNET.
  23. ^ Fingas, Jon (June 21, 2012). "Acer is skeptical of Surface tablets, thinks Microsoft isn't playing nice".
  24. ^ Evans, Steve (July 10, 2012). "Microsoft Surface most "disastrous" launch in a decade: MicroStrategy CEO". Computer Business Review.
  25. ^ "Acer chief takes aim at Microsoft Surface." FT, August 6, 2012.

External links

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