As you all know, a few days ago Microsoft presented its own tablet codenamed Surface, it is the attempt by the company that "invented" Windows to gain a foothold in the tablet market and incidentally try to shorten Apple's long shadow and his masterful iPad.
We are going to dedicate this special to Surface, we will try to collect what it offers and what are the characteristics of the product that Microsoft offers us.
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Operating system
RT Windows is the version of the new operating system that Microsoft has developed for mobile phones and tablets based on Windows Phone 7 and that uses the Metro interface of small square windows. Windows RT has been fully developed for the ARM processors. Brands such as Nvidia or Qualcomm are working on chips for this platform, among whose advantages we find a more affordable price and lower energy consumption.
The great obstacle of RT Windows, is that it is not compatible with all Windows applications developed on X86. The architecture of both is very different and it is not common to find incompatibilities in bookstores. Even if Microsoft releases a compiler (which it will do) it is probably not that simple or common to move a typical Windows 7 or 8 application to RT, or to try to install free operating systems as it is under X86 architectures.
Microsoft has raised RT Windows so that it is always acquired integrated in a device. There is no separate license or sale of the OS. Likewise, all the applications available in this system must be purchased through the Windows Store app store, similar to Google Play or the iTunes App Store.
RT Windows It has a classic desk, but its use is very limited. At its launch there will be some applications and suites that Redmond will integrate into RT, such as the Office suite, the file explorer or Internet Explorer, but everything else depends on the willingness of software developers to implement versions of their products for Windows RT.
Combining Windows RT and ARM makes the tablets under these two platforms are lighter, have a lower consumption and hardware characteristics very different from the X86 with Windows 8 Pro. Here is a summary of the specifications known so far.
Windows 8 Pro it is, on the contrary, a development that unites Windows RT and its Metro interface with the Windows 7 that we all know. The X86 platform makes it existbackward compatibility. If we have a Windows application that we use frequently, we can almost certainly install it in Windows 8 Pro.
This version of Windows also has output to a classic desktop much more similar to what we are used to. Tablets under Windows 8 Pro are somewhat thicker, heavier and consume more energy. On the positive side of the scale, your chipsIntel Ivy Bridge They give them much more power for tasks typical of a complete PC or for conventional video games. This is a summary of the known specifications of Windows 8 Pro tablets so far.
Features
These are its main characteristics:
-Windows RT operating system
-Nvidia Tegra processor (Probably version 3 of this chip)
10,6-inch ClearType HD touchscreen (16: 9 format)
-Magnesium housing
-Thickness: 9.3 millimeters
-Weight: 676 grams
-Storage capacity: 32 and 64 GB
-Battery: 31.5 Wh
-Micro SD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video output
-Back foot (allows to keep the team standing)
-Touch Cover, Type Cover
Regarding the version that runs under Windows 8 Pro, will be the most expensive of the line and it will cost similar to that of an ultrabook (It even seems designed more for that market than for traditional tablets). Let's review its characteristics in detail:
-Windows 8 Pro operating system
-Intel Core i5 processor (From the new Ivy Bridge family)
10,6-inch ClearType Full HD touchscreen (16: 9 format)
-Magnesium housing
-Thickness: 13.5 millimeters
-Weight: 903 grams
-Storage capacity: 64 and 128GB
-Battery: 42Wh
-Display Port, USB 3.0, MicroSDXC output
-Back foot
-Touch Cover, Type Cover and Stylus holder
As you can see from the table, the RT model starts with an advantage in dimensions and weight, already with 676 grams it is positioned as a lightweight tablet in the market. In the model that bets on the "complete" Windows 8, we go close to the kilograms of weight.
Another important difference is that the model with an Intel processor also dares with a FullHD screen, in both cases panoramic, and with protection Gorilla Glass 2. The body of the tablets is made of Magnesium, and again the RT model is the slimmest at 9.3 millimeters thick.
The last notable and known difference in specifications is found in the internal storage, for the most affordable model we will have options of 32 and 64GB, while the superior one, there will be the possibility to choose between 64 and 128GB. Microsoft hasn't forgotten to put at least one full-size USB port on its sides.
The two versions of Surface will go on sale after the official launch of Windows 8, to be held next October (the version equipped with Windows 8 Pro could be delayed for a few more months).
Price
The Microsoft Surface is expected to be launched in the third quarter of 2012. Its sale price will be around $ 600-1000 depending on the model.
