Microsoft announces Microsoft Surface a new tablet, with video
Microsoft held a very secluded press-confrence in the Milk studio in Hollywood, CA to announce their new tablet ‘Microsoft Surface’. The new tablet comes with a host of great features and details, you can learn all of them below.
Steve Ballmer took the stage to start things off, talking about what has brought Microsoft to this point. Ballmer stated, “We’ve helped usher in cloud computing, we’ve embraced mobility, we’re redefining communications … Windows is the heart and soul in all of it”. Now as Microsoft prepares to enter the tablet race Ballmer said, “People want to be mobile, without compromising the productivity PCs are known for.”
Ballmer called ‘Microsoft Surface’ a “tool to surface your passion, your creativity’ and it certainly looks to be able to do it.
Coming in at only 9.3mm thin, the device also has 2 USB ports and an HDMI hookup. Microsoft claims it has the “the best wifi of any tablet today”. You of course will be able to play games from the Windows Store as shown on the big screen during the conference. Netflix was also demoed during the presentation, loading effortlessly and instantly.
One of the greatest innovations is the cover, called a “touch cover” it contains both a full-keyboard and a touchpad. Surface will contain an IvyBridge processor and “Perimeter venting” which is an alcove around the case that allows air to pass to prevent overheating. The screen uses “digital ink” that is 650dpi, the pad recognizes the magnetic pen (or stylus) so it will know it’s not your finger. Or as Microsoft puts it, “Windows sees the proximity of the pen, and stops taking touch input.” There are seven layers pressed into Touch Cover according to the Microsoft.
Here is the first video for Surface:
In a statement prepared for the press, Microsoft states:
* Software takes center stage: Surface sports a full-sized USB port and a 16:9 aspect ratio – the industry standard for HD. It has edges angled at 22 degrees, a natural position for the PC at rest or in active use, letting the hardware fade into the background and the software stand out.
* VaporMg: The casing of Surface is created using a unique approach called VaporMg (pronounced Vapor-Mag), a combination of material selection and process to mold metal and deposit particles that creates a finish akin to a luxury watch. Starting with magnesium, parts can be molded as thin as .65 mm, thinner than the typical credit card, to create a product that is thin, light and rigid/strong.
* Integrated Kickstand: The unique VaporMg approach also enables a built-in kickstand that lets you transition Surface from active use to passive consumption – watching a movie or even using the HD front- or rear-facing video cameras. The kickstand is there when needed, and disappears when not in use, with no extra weight or thickness.
* Touch Cover: The 3 mm Touch Cover represents a step forward in human-computer interface. Using a unique pressure-sensitive technology, Touch Cover senses keystrokes as gestures, enabling you to touch type significantly faster than with an on-screen keyboard. It will be available in a selection of vibrant colors. Touch Cover clicks into Surface via a built-in magnetic connector, forming a natural spine like you find on a book, and works as a protective cover. You can also click in a 5 mm-thin Type Cover that adds moving keys for a more traditional typing feel.
Microsoft states Surface for Windows RT will come in a 32GB and 64GB models, a Pro version will have 128 GB and will come out 3 months after the launch of the previous two. Suggested retail pricing will be announced closer to availability and is expected to be competitive with a comparable ARM tablet or Intel Ultrabook-class PC. OEMs will have cost and feature parity on Windows 8 and Windows RT.
