With the unveiling of the Surface tablet, Microsoft is not only competing with
Apple's iPad, which dominates the tablet space, it is also competing with its partners, the very same companies that make Windows PCs.
Though
Microsoft managed to generate a lot of excitement around its new
tablet Surface , the company left many guessing about its price.
Microsoft said the Surface's price tag will be similar to the iPad, which sells for $499 to $829, depending on the model.
According to Microsoft, the low-power version of Surface using Nvidia chips will cost about the same as other tablets, while a version that runs Windows 8 Pro will cost about the same as other ultrabooks with Intel processors.
Surface will come in two versions, both with screens measuring 10.6 inches diagonally, slightly larger than the iPad. One model will run on phone-style chips, just like the iPad, and will be sold for a similar price. Another, heavier and more expensive model, will run on Intel chips and be capable of running standard Windows applications.
Surface, the 9.3-millimeter thick tablet, comes with a kickstand to hold it upright and keyboard that is part of the device's cover.
Microsoft is linking the Surface's debut with the release of its much-anticipated Windows 8 operating system, which has been designed with tablets in mind. The company hasn't specified when Windows 8 will hit the market, but most analysts expect the software to come out in September or October.
(With AP inputs)
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