Microsoft Surface is a series of
tablets designed and marketed by
Microsoft. It was announced on June 18, 2012, by Microsoft
CEO
Steve Ballmer at Milk Studios in
Los Angeles.[7]
The Surface comes in two versions: one with
Windows RT and another with
Windows 8 Pro. The Windows RT model uses an
ARM
CPU, while the Windows 8 Pro model will use an
Intel
CPU.[8][9]
Both models are able to install new applications via the
Windows Store, however only the Windows 8 Pro model allows the
installation of traditional third-party desktop programs.[10][11][12]
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Contents
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Hardware
The Microsoft Surface line features VaporMg (pronounced "VaporMag"),
a molded
magnesium casing[13]
that houses Surface's components paired with a
PVD finish.[14]
Also included in both Surface models is a
USB port, a micro
HDMI slot,
a magnetic strip to attach accessories such as the Touch Cover
and Type Cover and a
microSDXC port hidden under the "kickstand".[15]
Both models have two
720p
HD front- and rear-facing cameras,[15]
and a 0.77 millimetres (0.030 in)-thick "kickstand" which allows the
device to be stood up at an angle for hands-free viewing. At the bottom
of the front of the Surface is a Windows home screen button which
returns you to the home screen or the last
app
you had open if you're already on the home screen.[16]
For the
CPUs, the Surface with
Windows RT will use
ARM CPUs (residing in the
Nvidia
Tegra
SoC).[17][18]
Display
Surface and Surface Pro have screens of 10.6 inches (27 cm) with a
16:9 aspect ratio. Both tablets use Microsoft's
ClearType HD display technology and support an ultra-wide viewing
angle and auto-adjusting screen intensity. In announcement talk, Michael
Angiulo said that when Surface Pro is held at 17 inches (43 cm), the
eyes will not be able to distinguish between individual pixels.[19][20][21]
Touch
Cover and Type Cover
Microsoft offers two keyboard covers for Surface - the Touch Cover
and Type Cover - that connect to the Surface via a magnetic strip. Both
serve as protective covers when folded against the device, and function
as keyboards when opened. The Touch Cover is 3.25 millimetres (0.128 in)
thick and has a pressure-sensitive keyboard. The Type Cover is thicker
at 6 millimetres (0.24 in) and includes a tactile keyboard with physical
keys. The keyboards have a gyroscope and accelerometer sensor to
determine, based on position, whether or not to accept input. Both also
include a
multitouch
touchpad.[22]
Availability
The Surface RT launched with the general availability release of
Windows 8 on October 26, 2012.[23]
The Surface Pro will be available three months after that.[24][25]
The Surface will initially be available in Microsoft Stores and online.[25]
At the June 2012 unveiling event, Steven Sinofsky, President of the
Windows and Windows Live Division, stated that pricing for the Surface
RT "will be comparable to other ARM devices" and pricing for the Surface
Pro "will be comparable to current ultrabooks." In a recent interview
with the Seattle Times, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer responded to the
question about Surface pricing stating that the "sweet spot" for the
bulk of the PC market was $300 to $800, but did not detail any more
specifics.[26]
However Detwiler Fenton Group has said that in order to reach beyond its
current very limited market, Microsoft would need to reduce prices by a
third and use a wider distribution network.[27]
On October 16, pricing was revealed for the Surface RT,[28]
and pre-orders opened to ship, "for delivery by 10/26".[29]
Prices were announced as follows:
- Surface with Windows RT, 32 GB (no keyboard cover): $499/£399
- Surface with Windows RT, 32 GB with Black Touch Cover: $599/£479
- Surface with Windows RT, 64 GB with Black Touch Cover: $699/£559
- Surface Touch Cover (white, red, black, cyan, or pink):
$119/£99.99
- Surface Type Cover: $129/£109.99
Microsoft
outsourced the pre-order process to several different partners,
leading to customer confusion about the status of their deliveries.[30]
Microsoft has responded to the delays by offering vouchers to pre-order
customers who complain about the late deliveries.[31]
Microsoft will launch Surface in India in early January and its prices
will be revealed at the time of launch only.[32]
In November 2012, Steve Ballmer described the distribution approach
to Surface as "modest".[33]
On November 29, pricing was revealed for the Surface Pro, with
availability in January 2013[34].
Prices were announced as follows:
- Surface Pro with Windows 8 Pro, 64 GB (no keyboard cover): $899
- Surface Pro with Windows 8 Pro, 128 GB (no keyboard cover): $999
Reception
Reception to the Surface RT by critics has been mixed. The hardware
received mostly positive reviews, the software and overall experience
were mixed.
Wired reviewer Mathew Honan stated that while "This is one of
the most exciting pieces of hardware I’ve ever used. It is extremely
well-designed; meticulous even," the tablets are "likely to confuse many
of Microsoft’s longtime customers".[35]
TechCrunch,[36]
Matt Buchanan at
Buzzfeed,[37]
and
Gizmodo recommended against purchasing the tablet. Gizmodo
mentioned issues such as the high price tag and described it as similar
but inferior to the
iPad, but
also praised the hardware saying, "You'll appreciate it every time you
pick it up and turn it on. It's a simple, joyful experience."[38]
David Pogue at
The New York Times praised the hardware but criticized the
software.[39]
The Verge described the technology as fulfilling the role of a
laptop or tablet "half as well as other devices on the market," adding
"the whole thing is honestly perplexing."[40]
Warner Crocker from Gotta Be Mobile described it as "frustratingly
confusing."[41]
Farhad Manjoo of
Slate noted that the "shortcomings are puzzling" given how much
time Microsoft spent developing the device.[42]
Industry response
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), whose products have
traditionally run Microsoft operating systems, have had positive
responses to the release of the Surface.[43]
HP,
Lenovo,
Samsung
and Dell[44]
applauded Microsoft's decision to create its own Tablet PC and said that
relationships with Microsoft have not changed. John Solomon, senior vice
president of HP, said that "Microsoft was basically making a leadership
statement and showing what's possible in the tablet space".[45][46]
Acer
founder
Stan
Shih said that he believed Microsoft only introduced its own
hardware in order to establish the market and would then withdraw in
favor of its OEMs.[47]
However, others believe that OEMs were left sidelined by the
perception that Microsoft's new tablet will replace their products.[48][49]
Acer chairman JT Wang advised Microsoft to "please think twice".[50]
Microsoft has acknowledged that Surface may "affect their commitment" of
partners to the Windows platform.[51]
Steve Ballmer said that the Surface, like the Xbox, is an example of
the sort of hardware products Microsoft will release in the future.[52]
Reported problems
Users on Microsoft's support forum reported that some Touch Covers
were splitting at the seam where it connects to the tablet, exposing its
wiring. A Microsoft spokesperson stated that the company was aware of
the issue, and would offer free replacements for those who have been
affected by the defect.[53][54]
Other users have reported issues with audio randomly stuttering or
muting while in use.[55]
On November 14, 2012, Microsoft was also sued by a Los Angeles lawyer
for false advertising and unfair business practices due to the fact that
about half of the total disk space on his 32 GB Surface was being used
for the operating system, applications, and recovery data.[56]
Microsoft said in a statement that it believes the suit is without
merit, because it had advertised the discrepancy on its website.[57]