Microsoft Surface

Microsoft Surface – A Windows 8 Tablet
The Microsoft Hardware unit has so far limited itself to designing
keyboards, mice, and other computer accessories but this is probably
the first time that they have designed a consumer computer tablet
in-house. The build quality of existing Microsoft hardware is
top-notch and if the press photos are any indication, the new "Post
PC" device should be no different.

The details are too thin to compare this Windows 8 tablet with the
iPads and the Galaxy Tabs but few things stand out.

Unique features

The Surface tablet runs on Windows 8 and hence you should be able to
use any of your existing software on the tablet.

The included USB port will help you connect devices – like the
external hard drives, USB microphones, digital cameras, or USB modems
– without requiring "special" accessories. The touch cover (image)
doubles as a keyboard with a built-in track pad.

Pen Input for Handwriting

The tablet editions of previous versions of Windows had excellent
handwriting recognition capabilities. The Surface Tablet ships with a
pen and features "palm block" meaning when the pen tip is touching the
screen, it would ignore the touch of the palm and the fingers. Surface
could turn out to be a great writing device albeit less heavy.

Availability

Microsoft says that Surface would be made available around the same
time as Windows 8 so the release date is likely to be October or
November this year. The units will initially be sold only in the
Microsoft Stores in U.S. and there's no word on pricing yet.