Microsoft Surface tablets vs. the new iPad: Apple’s menace?
Considering the history between Microsoft and Apple, almost everyone is expecting the Surface tablets to directly rival the iPad.
For quite some time rumors about a Microsoft tablet have been doing the rounds. Seems like, the rumors came to be true. All this while Microsoft have been tight-lipped regarding the matter, but Yesterday in the Los Angeles press conference Microsoft confirmed its own line of tablets which they called “Surface“. And then they unveiled not one but two tablets: The Surface for Windows RT and the Surface Windows 8 Pro.
With the latest pair of Surface tablets, Microsoft fashionably entered late into the fray of tablets. Considering the history between Microsoft and Apple, almost everyone is expecting the Surface tablets to directly rival the iPad. However, we cannot ignore the fact that the Surface tablets would also compete against the other Windows 8 and Windows RT tablets.
Not much has been revealed regarding pricing and availability, but Microsoft has said that the Surface RT and the Surface 8 Pro would be competitively priced against other ARM-based Windows tablets and Ultrabooks respectively. Microsoft has also disclosed that the Surface RT would be launched along-with Windows 8 later in October and that three months after, the Surface 8 Pro would be released.
Whether the Surface will be able to wrestle away iPad’s dominance or not, only time will tell. Meanwhile, let’s take a look at how they stack up at present:
|
Specs |
iPad 3 |
Surface RT |
Surface 8 Pro |
| Screen size | 9.7 inch | 10.6 inch | 10.6 inch |
| Processor | Dual core A5X | Quad core Tegra 3 | Ivy Bridge |
| Storage Capacity | 16, 32, 64GB | 32, 64GB | 64, 128GB |
| Display | 2048 x 1536 Retina display | Clear Type HD | Clear Type Full HD (1080p) |
| Weight | 652g | 676g | 903 g |
| Thickness | 9.4mm | 9.3mm | 13.5mm |
| Camera | Front, Rear | Front, Rear | Front, Rear |
| Connectivity | 30-pin Apple connector port | microSD, USB 2.0, micro HDMI | microSDXC, USB 3.0, mini Display Port |
| Cover | Smart Cover | Touch and Type Cover, VaporMg case | Touch and Type Cover, VaporMg case |
| Battery | 42.5 W-h | 31.5 W-h | 42 W-h |
| Starting Price | $499 | NA | NA |
At present, iPad is at the top of the tablet market by seeing off competitions from various Android tablets, but with the official release of Windows 8 it will have to face stiff competitions from a host of Windows RT and Windows 8 powered tablets, including Microsoft’s Surface.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/microsoft-tablet-announced/
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/microsoft-announces-surface-for-windows-8-pro/
Sudipto
