Microsoft plans to make its debut in the tablet segment big with the Surface by pricing it aggressively lower than the Apple iPad by almost a hundred dollars.
The largest software company announced the Surface in June with a 32-gigabyte (GB), Wi-Fi only version of its tablet priced at $499, a hundred dollars lower than Apple's latest iteration of the iPad which is currently priced at $599 for the 32GB variant.
The tablet would go on sale within 10 days on October 26. The company has also released it first advertisement of Surface recently. The tablet is the first device to be launched with the latest Windows 8 which has been optimised to be used with both touch and conventional desktops while eschewing the trademark "Start" button. A few tablets would also be available for pre-order from the Microsoft website from Tuesday morning.
The OS is also available for other big players in the industry to take out the rival iOS from Apple. Older windows applications would not be compatible with the latest version of Windows 8 but the tablet will feature new app-style versions of Office mainstays such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel, and will include Xbox games, video and music apps.
The Surface would have two cameras, WiFi only, standard USB port. A 32GB model bundled with a black 'Touch Cover' - that doubles as a keyboard is available for $599, and a 64GB version with a black Touch Cover for $699.
It is said to be available online from October 26 for consumers in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Britain and the United States. Another heavier Surface is to be released soon to compete with the "ultrabooks" segment in a few months. They are expected to be powered by Intel Chips.
(AW- Anil)
