--- 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 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](http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/pixelsense/default.aspx) 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](http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/hands-on-with-microsoft-surface-for-windows-rt/), 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) **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](http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/microsoft-surface-tablets-the-differences-between-rt-and-window/). You might want to consider reading an interesting article from Neowin.net, [What we know (and don’t know) about Microsoft’s Surface](http://www.neowin.net/news/what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-microsofts-surface). Press Release: [Microsoft Announces Surface: New Family of PCs for Windows](http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2012/jun12/06-18announce.aspx) Official Site: [Microsoft Surface](http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en/us/default.aspx)