Microsoft's Win8 Surface Tablets Are Coming Soon

Microsoft unveiled the first computer it has ever made on Monday, a tablet called the Surface that comes with a keyboard and other features designed to stand out in a market dominated by Apple Inc. It is a sign of the new tactics the software giant has been forced to embrace as it tries to make up lost ground in the mobile market.

This is a video about Surface Microsoft has released.

Specs
Microsoft showed off the two versions of the Surface. The versions running Windows 8 will run chips from Intel Corp., which supplies chips used in most PCs. The versions running Windows RT will be powered by chips from Nvidia Corp. based on designs from ARM Holdings PLC, a variety of chips widely used in cellphones and tablets.

The Surface has a built-in kickstand and magnetic cover, which also acts as a touch keyboard. Microsoft didn't say whether the device would connect to cellular data networks or would be Wi-Fi only.

Office
Mr. Ballmer and other Microsoft executives repeatedly use the words "no compromises" to describe the tablet computers they envision running Windows 8 and Windows RT—which means that users will be able to use work-oriented tools like Microsoft Word and Excel programs, not just be used for watching movies and surfing the Web.

Price
The Surface will "be priced like comparable tablets," Windows Chief Steve Sinofsky said. Microsoft will sell the tablets itself at Microsoft's handful of retail stores and through some online channels.

"The Surface is a PC, the Surface is a tablet and the Surface is something new that we think people will really love," Mr. Ballmer said in wrapping up the event, which lasted less than one hour.

The first Surface models will arrive when Windows 8 is generally available, which is expected to be in the second half of the year.