Microsoft Unveils the Surface PC

As you may or may not know, last Thursday Microsoft sent out rushed invites to a bit unveiling event that took place at 3:30 PST this afternoon. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer took the stage to unveil what he called "a whole new family of computing devices from Microsoft."

Photo Credit: Mashable.com

The new Microsoft Surface is what Microsoft is calling "A tablet that's a great PC, a PC that's a great tablet. A new kind of computing."  If a tablet bred with a laptop, the Surface is what you'd get. It's only 9.33mm thick, with a liquid metal frame and scratch-resistant VaporMg case, and built-in stand. The Surface will feature built in HDMI, a built-in HD video camera, You will be able to play games from the Windows store with it, of course. The Surface PC features super-fast WiFi thanks to dual high-performance antennas and receivers, so that no matter how you hold it, your WiFi won't be affected. Additionally a groove around the device allows what Microsoft calls "perimeter venting," so that no matter how you hold it, the Surface won't get hot the way an iPad will. 


In addition to the usual tablet touchscreen, the Surface uses 650 dpi "digital ink" so that you can write on it with a magnetic stylus pen. For those who really hate using a touchscreen the Surface will also have a full trackpad available as a peripheral, with clickable buttons. The most exciting peripheral, however is by far teh Touch Cover, which will be available in blue, orange, pink, charcoal, and white. It is pressure-sensitive, so that you can lay your hands on it or brush against it without accidentally typing, and when plugged in, the Surface display changes color to match the Touch Cover, letting you know it is connected properly. The magnetic pen, Touch Cover, and trackpad will all be available at the Surface launch.




Two versions of the Surface will be available.  The first will run Windows RT, weighs 676 g and is only 9.3mm thick. It features a 10.6in ClearType HD display, microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, and 2x2 MIMO antennae. This version features Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 RT, and will have both the Touch Cover and Type Cover (a thinner version of the Touch Cover) available. The RT version will be available in 32GB and 64GB.


The Surface Pro will run Windows 8 Pro and will be available approximately 3 months after the Surface RT. It weighs a slightly heavier 903 g and will be slightly thicker at 13.5mm. It will have the same 10.6" ClearType Full HD Display. Features include microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort Video, and 2x2 MIMO antennae. The Touch Cover, Type Cover and Pen with Palm Block will be available for this version, which is available in 64GB and 128GB. 


Microsoft copped out on pricing saying only that it will be "comparable."  My thinking is that because they were very careful to refer to the Surface as a PC and not a tablet, "comparable" means up in Ultrabook territory.  It can be assumed that the RT will be less than the Pro. Guesses right now range anywhere from $500-$1000 with the RT being closer to $500 and the Pro closer to $1000. No shipping date was revealed as well.


So what do you think, gamers?  Does the idea of the Surface excite you?