Microsoft is getting ready to launch its much talked about Windows 8 operating system along with a host of devices that run the software. One of the most hotly anticipated devices is the Surface tablet which is expected to compete directly against Apple’s iPad and will be ready for sale on October 26. It has also been announced that the soon to be released tablet will be priced at $519 in Canada for the starter model. Microsoft will have the Surface tablet available at its own retail locations in the U.S. and Canada on launch day. Users can also order and online in North America, Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.
The price point for the Surface is similar to the low end iPad that Apple offers but there are two major differences. The Surface has double the memory at 32 GB and marginally larger display size. The device will have two cameras, USB port and Wi-Fi. The main feature of the tablet is the magnetic click on keyboard which also acts as a protector for the touch screen of the device and makes the Surface unique. Users in Canada will need to pay $129.99 to get the multi-color keyboards. However, the company is offering a higher model that has 64 GB and the cover for $719.
The keyboard that comes with the device is functional but is not like conventional keyboards where the buttons that move when pushed. The Touch Cover is a printed keyboard that lets users type and does not have the clicking of keys. For people that cannot do without the keys there is a Type Cover that will be on sale separately for $139.99.
When the iPad was launched it crippled sales of netbooks. These devices ran Microsoft’s Windows Os and the drop in demand meant Microsoft took a hit in sales. The slump in netbook sales also hit PC’s and the company saw its sales numbers drop. In order to take back the market, the US based company has decided to break a long standing trend and make its own hardware. This is also planned out to coincide with the launch of Windows 8, which has been revamped to work better across all platforms and be touch screen friendly.
The Surface will have an Nvidia Corp chip designed by ARM Holdings, and will be powered by a simpler Windows 8 version. Users will not be able to use any older Windows software with the new OS but will get app for the popular Office package including Word, PowerPoint and Excel. The surface will also have the ability to utilize Xbox games, video and music apps.
Source: The Globe and Mail
Photo: Microsoft
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