---
title: Microsoft Surface Tablet
date: 2012-06-20 08:34:13
permalink: https://lesterchan.net/blog/2012/06/20/microsoft-surface-tablet/
author: Lester Chan
excerpt: "Microsoft has jumped on the tablet bandwagon with the Surface. I'm unsure whether the official name is just Surface or Surface Tablet, since Surface used to mean Microsoft's huge touchscreen table. It seems Microsoft has renamed that older device PixelSense."
categories:
  - Tablet
tags:
  - ARM
  - Intel
  - Ivy Bridge
  - Microsoft
  - Nvidia
  - surface
  - Windows 8
  - Windows RT
---

Looks like Microsoft has jumped on the tablet bandwagon with Microsoft Surface. I have no idea whether the official name is Microsoft Surface or Microsoft Surface Tablet, because when I think of Microsoft Surface, I would think of the huge touchscreen “device”.

It seems that Microsoft had renamed the old surface to Microsoft PixelSense and I am assuming that Microsoft Surface and Microsoft Surface Tablet means the same thing.

There will be 2 versions of Microsoft Surface Tablet, one running on Windows RT with NVIDIA ARM Chip and one on Windows 8 Pro with Intel Ivy Bridge Core i5. Disappointed that no pricing has been announced yet. If the Windows RT tablet price is reasonable, I might get one just to play with it.

From Engadget’s [Hands-on with Microsoft Surface for Windows RT](https://www.engadget.com/2012-06-18-hands-on-with-microsoft-surface-for-windows-rt.html), it looks like the editors have very limited time (2 mins) with the tablet and it seems to be just a working demo rather than close-to-final retail version.

[![Microsoft Surface Tablet](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7211/7398440200_69cf8fac80_z.jpg)](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7211/7398440200_94e781f5da_o.jpg "Microsoft Surface Tablet")

**Industrial Design Highlights**

- 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.

**Surface for Windows RT tablet**

- Processor: NVIDIA-made ARM chip
- Weight: 676g
- Thickness: 9.3mm
- Display: 10.6″ ClearType HD capactive touchpanel
- Battery: 31.5Wh
- I/O: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae
- Software: Windows RT + Office Home & Student 2013 RT
- Accessories: Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand
- Capacity: 32GB or 64GB
- Availability: “Around” the Windows 8 launch (fall 2012)
- Pricing: TBA

**Surface for Windows 8 Pro tablet**

- Processor: Intel Core i5 (Ivy Bridge)
- Weight: 903g
- Thickness: 13.5mm
- Display: 10.6″ ClearType Full HD (1080p) capactive touchpanel
- Battery: 42Wh
- I/O: microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, 2×2 MIMO antennae
- Software: Windows 8 Pro
- Accessories: Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand, Pen with Palm Block
- Capacity: 64GB or 128GB
- Availability: “Three months after” the Windows 8 launch this fall
- Pricing: TBA

Spefications taken from [Engadget](https://www.engadget.com/2012-06-18-microsoft-surface-tablets-the-differences-between-rt-and-window.html).

You might want to consider reading an interesting article from Neowin.net, [What we know (and don’t know) about Microsoft’s Surface](https://www.neowin.net/news/what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-microsofts-surface/).

Press Release: Microsoft Announces Surface: New Family of PCs for Windows  
Official Site: [Microsoft Surface](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/surface)