Microsoft iPad - "Surface"

Rival aims to take on Apple with launch of the Surface

 
1) Microsoft tablet will use same Windows 8 operating system as PCs
2) Comes with built-in stand and keyboard to replicate experience of laptop
3) Company refuses to reveal price of tablet or confirm exact release date

 

Microsoft is to take on Apple in a war of the tablet computers with the launch of its own ‘iPad killer’ – the Surface.

It is a dramatic move for the US technology company, which historically has focused on producing software rather than hardware.

But after some success with the Xbox series of entertainment consoles, it now hopes to challenge Apple and Android in the lucrative touchscreen tablet market.

The Microsoft Surface tablet was officially unveiled in Los Angeles last night, and from the favourable first impressions, it looks like we have a three-way race in the tablet market.

The Surface comes with a 10.6" screen, a clever magnetic cover which doubles as a keyboard, and a kickstand to hold it upright on a table.

In a huge paradigm shift for Microsoft, the traditional Windows Desktop has been scrapped for Microsoft's new 'Metro' tile-based theme.

IPAD AND SURFACE SIDE-BY-SIDE

Weight: Surface 676g iPad 650g

Thickness: Surface 9.3mm iPad 9.4mm

Screen size: Surface 10.6" iPad 9.7"

USB: Surface yes iPad no

Hard drive: Surface 32GB/64GB iPad 16GB/32GB/64GB

Battery life: Surface unknown iPad around 6 hours

Price: Surface unknown iPad from £479/$499

Sales of tablets are expected to triple in the next two years, topping 180million a year in 2013, easily outpacing growth in traditional PCs. Apple has sold 67million iPads in two years since the device's launch.

Apple, which makes both hardware and software for greater control over the performance of the final product, has revolutionised mobile markets with its smooth, seamless phones and tablets.

Rival Google may experiment with a similar approach after buying phone maker Motorola this year.