The Surface Movement
Microsoft's willingness to take risks in the battle against Apple and Google is often questioned, but consider this; by launching its own Windows 8 hardware, Microsoft is inviting the wrath of numerous partners, many of whom are largely responsible for the company's success.
This is a decision that hasn't been taken lightly, but it's a sure-fire sign of Microsoft's ambition as the software giant is unwilling to rely on device manufacturers to create a marque tablet to rival the iPad. Taking matters into its own hands, Microsoft has imagined, built and released a tablet dubbed the Surface.
Surface is exactly the sort of hardware that's needed to turn the new Windows into a captivating product. Smart design, a playful interface and new hardware epitomises the new Windows experience, but the dual nature of the operating system is such that even Microsoft couldn't create one product to cover all bases.
Adding to the confusion, the Surface tablet will be available in two different models; Surface with Windows RT and Surface with Windows 8 Pro.
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| Launch Date | October 26, 2012 |
TBC |
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| Pricing | From £399 |
TBC |
| Operating System | Windows RT is an exciting new version of Microsoft Windows that is built to run on ARM-based tablets and PCs. Works exclusively with apps available in the Windows Store. |
Runs current Windows 7 desktop applications and integrates with your existing enterprise management infrastructure. Use the programs and the apps available in the Windows Store. |
| Productivity | Get more done with up to 8 hours of battery life. Surface with Windows RT comes installed with Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT Preview¹. |
Surface with Windows 8 Pro supports the full Office experience. Run Outlook, Word, SharePoint Designer, PowerPoint and more. Surface with Windows 8 Pro can run all of the applications that you’ve used on previous version of Windows. |
| Applications | Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT Preview1, (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote); Windows Mail and Messaging; SkyDrive; Internet Explorer 10; Bing; Xbox Music, Video, and Games. |
Windows Mail and Messaging; SkyDrive; Internet Explorer 10; Bing; Xbox Music, Video, and Games. |
| Security | Surface with Windows RT features device encryption and comes with Windows Defender. |
Windows 8 Pro provides enhanced networking and IT management. Surface with Windows 8 Pro is secured with BitLocker drive encryption, use Remote Desktop, Active Directory, and Client Hyper-V. Compatible with third party applications. |
| Connectivity | Always connected, even when in standby mode. Connected standby keeps apps up-to-date. |
Connectivity off when hibernating/sleeping to preserve battery. |
| Thinness | 9.30mm |
13.5mm |
| Weight | 1.5lbs |
2.0lbs |
| Battery | 31.5 Whr |
42 Whr |
| Storage | 32GB, 64GB |
64GB, 128GB |
| Screen | 10.6in, 16:9, 1366x768 |
10.6in, 16:9, 1920x1080 |
| Ports | Stereo speakers Full-size USB 2.0 microSDXC card slot Headset jack HD video out port Cover port |
Stereo speakers Full-size USB 3.0 microSDXC card slot Headset jack Mini DisplayPort Cover port |
The ARM- and Intel-based hardware configurations are unique between each Surface model, but the key differentiator - that the Surface for Windows RT "works exclusively with apps available in the Windows Store" - is buried in the table. Microsoft needs to be clear on this message, and help minimise confusion by explaining to users that legacy software, that most people are familiar with, won't run on the company's first Windows tablet.
We'll be taking a look at the Surface hardware - and by definition Windows RT - in a forthcoming article, but for the purpose of this review we'll be concentrating our focus on the product designed for most PC users, Windows 8.