Microsoft Surface tablet out October 26th, same day as Windows 8

The Gadget Show  Tuesday 31 July 2012

The Microsoft Surface tablet will go on sale on 26th October. “At that time, we will begin selling the Surface,” Microsoft has confirmed. The iPad rival goes on sale the same day as Microsoft’s new Windows 8 operating system, also out on 26th October.

Microsoft Surface tablet unveiled, iPad has a serious new rival

Microsoft confirmed the release date in its annual report, saying: “The next version of our operating system, Windows 8, will be generally available on October 26, 2012. At that time, we will begin selling the Surface, a series of Microsoft-designed and manufactured hardware devices.”

The Microsoft Surface Tablet was first unveiled in June, as a likely competitor to Apple’s iPad. The Microsoft Surface boasts a 10.6-inch HD display. One of its standout features is the ability to dock to a keyboard that folds within itself like a book.

The tablet will come in two versions: the Microsoft Surface RT, and the Microsoft Surface Windows 8 Pro Tablet.

The Microsoft Surface RT will be powered by an ARM processor. It features USB 2.0 connectivity, microSD card storage, and will come in 32GB and 64GB models.

The Windows 8 Pro Tablet is the more powerful of the two, with an Intel Core i5 Ivy Bridge processor, full HD 1080p touchscreen display, USB connectivity, and a memory card reader, and be available as 64GB and 128GB models. Microsoft has yet to announce a price for either tablet.

It was previously thought that Microsoft wants to undercut the iPad on cost in order to grab some of Apple’s slice of the pie. The above specs and rumours suggest a price that may not be too dissimilar, leaving tablet fans with a tricky choice come October.

By then the rumoured iPad Mini will, according to reports, have gone on sale. The iPhone 5 and a smaller 7-inch iPad are expected to go on sale on 21st September.



iPhone 5, iPad mini rumoured for 21st September release date