- Salice Thomas
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- April 18, 2015
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Microsoft unveils Surface tablet to compete with Apple’s iPad
Microsoft on Monday 18th June, 2012 unveiled Surface tablets that runs on Windows 8 Operating System, a tablet computer to compete with Apple’s iPad. CEO Steve Ballmer announced the new tablet; calling it part of a “whole new family of devices” Microsoft is developing. The device is the first commercial PC that Microsoft has directly designed and sold. Analysts predict that manufacturing a tablet represents a shift from Microsoft’s highly successful strategy in the PC market.
Back in 2001, Microsoft Co-founder Bill Gates predicted tablets would be the most popular form of PCs sold in America within five years. Tablets still haven’t overtaken PCs, but they finally have the momentum—thanks to Apple, not Microsoft.
Worldwide tablet sales are forecast to rocket 54.4% to 107 million units this year compared with last. The stellar growth comes as the worldwide PC market — which for years saw double-digit growth — is expected to grow just 5% to 383 million PCs shipments in 2012 compared with a year ago. IDC forecasts that by 2016 there will be 221 million tablets shipped worldwide, and 61% of those will be sold by Apple. Plus, Apple’s over 225,000 apps will also be tough act to follow.
The Surface features many of the currently standard tablet specs, including a 10.6 inch high-definition touchscreen and front and rear facing cameras, which all fit into a 9.3 millimeter, 1.5-pound frame.
The Surface tablet comes in two flavors. There are consumer-targeted slates powered by an Nvidia Tegra processor and running Windows RT, Microsoft’s first OS designed for devices using ARM-based chips, and there’s also a “professional” version of the tablet that uses an Intel Core i5 chip and runs the x86-optimized flavor of Windows 8 for mobile devices. Surface additionally brings some new innovations to the tablet space. Surface comes with an integrated Kickstand and a revolutionary, 3mm thin, pressure sensitive cover that doubles as a fully functioning keyboard and trackpad. Your Touch Cover connects to your Surface with a single magnetic click. Now users can chat with friends and respond to emails comfortably. The keyboard cover is just 0.12 inches (3 millimeters) thick. The kickstand for both tablets was just 0.03 inches (0.7 millimeters) thick, slimmer than a credit card.
It comes with a precision crafted VaporMg(magnesium) casing that protects the vital technology inside and leaves a high quality finish and feel.
An ultra-wide viewing angle makes it easy for your friends to share in the vibrant experience. The auto-adjusting screen intensity delivers great visual clarity, indoors and out. The addition of the Micro SD card slot means you can bring your entire movie and music collection with you on vacation.
Steven Sinofsky, president of Microsoft’s Windows division, called the device a “tablet that’s a great PC—a PC that’s a great tablet.”
The surface will be integrated with cool features like the popular office suite integration. Surface Touch Cover comes in five vibrant colors. Type Cover offers classic typing experience for those who prefer a more traditional keyboard. Pick the one that best meets your needs and represents your sense of style.
Microsoft has introduced a Windows Store on Windows 8, similar to the Apple App store, Android Google Play and Ubuntu Software Center. The Windows Store will allow developers to publish their tablet applications. Users can discover new music, movies, and games in the Windows Store.
Without giving specific, company said the Windows RT version will be available sometime this fall in 32- and 64-gigabyte versions and will be priced “comparably” to other tablets on the market. The full Windows 8 version will be available three months later in 64- and 128-GB versions. Microsoft also promised that the Surface’s price tag will be similar to the competitors like iPad, which sells for $499 to $829, depending on the model.
