Hands-On with Microsoft Surface Tablet

Featured, Gadgets David Peter

Recently Microsoft launched its own Tablet during the Los Angeles press conference. The “Surface” tablet from Microsoft running Windows operating system will come in two versions. One running “Windows RT”, the light version of Windows 8 and will be powered by ARM CPU. This version will not have full desktop version of Windows 8, running only Metro style UI apps that are available in Windows store. The app will also feature Microsoft Office at no extra charge.

Microsoft Unveils Surface Tablet
Microsoft Unveils Surface Tablet

The other version of Surface will run Windows 8 Pro version, which will offer full Windows 8 operation system powered by Intel Ivy Bridge CPU. The Surface pro will be slightly thicker with USB 3.0 support, Display port and with a better battery. The pro version will also have double the storage size of Surface RT.

The Surface uses 10.6 inch optically bonded ClearType display. The screen with 16:9 aspect ratio, that can match HDTV. The RT version is expected to have “HD ” resolution with 1,280×720 pixels (720p HD) and the Pro version will have “Full HD” resolution with 1,920×1,080 pixels (1080p).

According to the news from press conference, the company said that it has used a process called “Vapor Mag” to build Surface. The process involved melting a metal and then molding it up to 0.65mm thickness. The tablet will also come with a magnesium case that weighs around 1.5 pounds and will have built-in kickstand. It will have two types of covers, one is Touch cover and other is Type cover with an attached keyboard. The cover will have two button touch pad and buttons for navigating the Metro style interface. Flipping the cover will automatically turn off the tablet.

Microsoft Surface will have a stand
Microsoft Surface will have a stand

Other Specs of Surface (Windows RT) tablet

  • Windows RT operating system
  • Nvidia ARM CPU
  • 9.3mm thick
  • 676 grams/23.85 ounces
  • 10.6-inch ClearType HD Display
  • 31.5 watt hour battery
  • Ports: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro-HD video, 2×2 MIMO antennas
  • Storage options: 32GB and 64GB for Windows RT
  • Front- and rear-facing “HD” cameras

Specs of Surface Pro tablet

  • Windows 8 operating system
  • Intel third-generation Core i CPU
  • 13.5mm thick
  • 903 grams/31.85 ounces
  • 10.6-inch ClearType “Full HD” Display
  • 42 watt hour battery
  • Ports: microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort video
  • Storage options: 64GB and 128GB
  • Front- and rear-facing “HD” cameras