Microsoft has confirmed plans to launch its own tablet PCs, called Surface for Windows. The company will offer two lightweight, 10.6-inch tablets at the launch of Windows 8 later this year, aimed at showing off its new software on premium hardware. One tablet will run Windows RT, the version of Windows 8 designed for ARM-based processors, and the other will launch around 90 days later with Windows 8 Pro and a third-generation Intel processor. The Surface tablets measure as thin as 9.3mm and come with a detachable 3mm keypad, called a Touch Cover, which also doubles as a cover for the device. The Surface tablets also come with full USB ports, a 16:9 screen aspect, 2x2 MIMO antenna, microSD card slot and a kickstand to support watching videos or using the front or back cameras. The RT version offers 32 or 64GB memory, and the Windows 8 version comes with 64 or 128GB. The tablets will be sold in Microsoft stores in the US and select online Microsoft stores. Microsoft said the tablets will be priced similar to comparable ARM tablets or Intel ultrabooks.
