In a show of hype the likes of which Microsoft hasn?t seen for a while, two new tablets running the next version of Windows were revealed at a special event in Los Angeles last night.
The Surface for Windows RT and Surface for Windows 8 Pro both feature similar external designs with a slick magnesium casing, keyboard addon that doubles as a screen cover and a slim kickstand which pops out the rear.
The Windows RT model is running an NVIDIA Tegra chipset (presumably the Tegra3, though this was not stated), has a 10.6-inch HD display and either 32 or 64GB storage. It includes a full size USB 2.0 port and microSD card slot.
The Windows 8 Pro version is more akin to an ultraportable laptop and will use an Intel i5 CPU, Full HD display and come with up to 128GB memory, expandable by an additional 64GB or more using its microSDXC slot. The Pro also includes USB 3.0 and Mini Display Port for external monitor output.
There are minor differences in size and weight, the RT Surface weighs 676g and is 9.3mm thick compared to the 903g and 13.5mm of the Pro Surface.
Windows 8 has been designed from the ground up to be used on touch screen devices, a controversial move as even desktop PCs will boot into the Metro interface, which features a tiled design familiar to anyone who?s ever used a Windows Phone device.
Windows RT has been made specifically for ARM CPUs, a first for Microsoft and something which could potentially cause some confusion. Aside from special versions of IE and MS Office, standard Windows programs will not be compatible with RT. Developers will be required to port their software and make it available through a Windows software store.
Several key details were absent from Microsoft?s presentation, notably pricing or any indication of battery life. As it runs a full desktop OS with a specification similar to ultrabooks we?d speculate a price tag of at least ?600-700 for the Pro Surface. The Windows RT edition is more directly competing with the iPad and Android tablets so will need to come in under ?500 to have any chance at making a dent.?
The RT Surface is due to launch around the same time as Windows 8 in Autumn of this year, while the Pro Surface goes on sale "three months after".
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