Windows 8's imminent commercial release has been making the rounds at tech forums for quite some time now; and why shouldn't it? For better or worse, Microsoft's OS is expected to shake the way operating systems are perceived by giving a touch-centric mien to traditional keyboard-and-mouse-operated interfaces; the goal being to bridge the gap between desktop/laptop OSes and tablet PC ones.
To augment this new direction, Microsoft is also looking to enter the hardware manufacturing business and see how it fares.
Its inaugural entry will be Microsoft Surface, a name first used for the company's touch-based high-end "tabletop," since rebranded the "PixelSense.
" This new Surface, though, will be a convertible hybrid laptop whose two distinct laptop parts (tablet slate and keyboard) allow it to switch from laptop to tablet and back.
The Surface is meant to optimally run Windows 8 to the fullest, and its design schematics are geared towards that directive.
Hardware and Specs Microsoft Surface will be sold in two variants: One running Windows 8 (but of course), and the other running Windows RT (a simplified, touch-centric version of the OS).
Laptop components to come with the former are an Intel Ivy Bridge processor and a 32 GB (upgradable to 64 GB) solid state drive.
For the latter, the laptop parts are an ARM-based NVIDIA Tegra 3 CPU, and a choice between 64 GB or 128 GB SSD variants.
Both Microsoft Surface models will have screens measuring 10.
6 inches, although only the Win 8 model will have full 1080p HD support.
The RT model will just have to make do with a 720p resolution rate.
Two variants of the Surface keyboard will be made available for both Surface models.
The first one, called Touch Cover, will have pressure-sensitive keys and will thus be thinner.
The other one, called Type Cover, will have mechanical action keys and will of course be thicker.
Whichever keyboard type a consumer chooses, though, both will attach to the Surface tablet slate via magnetic slots.
The Surface's laptop components will be housed inside a magnesium alloy chassis that Microsoft is dubbing "VaporMG.
" It will accordingly give the Surface a shiny, futuristic casing that also happens to be solid and scratch-resistant.
Pricing and Release Microsoft has announced that the RT model of the Surface will be released almost concurrently with the company's upcoming OS, with the Win 8-powered Surface to come three months later.
The company is also promising that both models will be fairly and competitively priced; which most take to mean as the RT model matching the iPad's price point, and the Win 8 model going to-to-toe with most popular ultraportable brands.
Success Speculations? Whether or not Microsoft succeeds in this hardware venture remains to be seen.
Although "Microhard" (see what I did there?) sounds rather awkward on the surface (there I go again!), it must be said that the company is no stranger to the changing tides of technology; and most importantly, to the calls of success.
To augment this new direction, Microsoft is also looking to enter the hardware manufacturing business and see how it fares.
Its inaugural entry will be Microsoft Surface, a name first used for the company's touch-based high-end "tabletop," since rebranded the "PixelSense.
" This new Surface, though, will be a convertible hybrid laptop whose two distinct laptop parts (tablet slate and keyboard) allow it to switch from laptop to tablet and back.
The Surface is meant to optimally run Windows 8 to the fullest, and its design schematics are geared towards that directive.
Hardware and Specs Microsoft Surface will be sold in two variants: One running Windows 8 (but of course), and the other running Windows RT (a simplified, touch-centric version of the OS).
Laptop components to come with the former are an Intel Ivy Bridge processor and a 32 GB (upgradable to 64 GB) solid state drive.
For the latter, the laptop parts are an ARM-based NVIDIA Tegra 3 CPU, and a choice between 64 GB or 128 GB SSD variants.
Both Microsoft Surface models will have screens measuring 10.
6 inches, although only the Win 8 model will have full 1080p HD support.
The RT model will just have to make do with a 720p resolution rate.
Two variants of the Surface keyboard will be made available for both Surface models.
The first one, called Touch Cover, will have pressure-sensitive keys and will thus be thinner.
The other one, called Type Cover, will have mechanical action keys and will of course be thicker.
Whichever keyboard type a consumer chooses, though, both will attach to the Surface tablet slate via magnetic slots.
The Surface's laptop components will be housed inside a magnesium alloy chassis that Microsoft is dubbing "VaporMG.
" It will accordingly give the Surface a shiny, futuristic casing that also happens to be solid and scratch-resistant.
Pricing and Release Microsoft has announced that the RT model of the Surface will be released almost concurrently with the company's upcoming OS, with the Win 8-powered Surface to come three months later.
The company is also promising that both models will be fairly and competitively priced; which most take to mean as the RT model matching the iPad's price point, and the Win 8 model going to-to-toe with most popular ultraportable brands.
Success Speculations? Whether or not Microsoft succeeds in this hardware venture remains to be seen.
Although "Microhard" (see what I did there?) sounds rather awkward on the surface (there I go again!), it must be said that the company is no stranger to the changing tides of technology; and most importantly, to the calls of success.
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