LOS ANGELES — June 18, 2012 — Today
at an event in Hollywood, Microsoft unveiled Surface: PCs built to be
the ultimate stage for Windows. Company executives showed two Windows
tablets and accessories that feature significant advances in industrial
design and attention to detail. Surface is designed to seamlessly
transition between consumption and creation, without compromise. It
delivers the power of amazing software with Windows and the feel of
premium hardware in one exciting experience.
Surface: A New Family of PCs for Windows
June 19, 2012
Conceived,
designed and engineered entirely by Microsoft employees, and building
on the company’s 30-year history manufacturing hardware, Surface is
designed to seamlessly transition between consumption and creation,
without compromise.
See also: Surface Website
Advances in Industrial Design
Conceived,
designed and engineered entirely by Microsoft employees, and building
on the company’s 30-year history manufacturing hardware, Surface
represents a unique vision for the seamless expression of entertainment
and creativity. Extensive investment in industrial design and real user
experience includes the following highlights:
- Software takes center stage: Surface sports a full-sized USB port and a 16:9 aspect ratio – the industry standard for HD. It has edges angled at 22 degrees, a natural position for the PC at rest or in active use, letting the hardware fade into the background and the software stand out.
- VaporMg: The casing of Surface is created using a unique approach called VaporMg (pronounced Vapor-Mag), a combination of material selection and process to mold metal and deposit particles that creates a finish akin to a luxury watch. Starting with magnesium, parts can be molded as thin as .65 mm, thinner than the typical credit card, to create a product that is thin, light and rigid/strong.
- Integrated Kickstand: The unique VaporMg approach also enables a built-in kickstand that lets you transition Surface from active use to passive consumption – watching a movie or even using the HD front- or rear-facing video cameras. The kickstand is there when needed, and disappears when not in use, with no extra weight or thickness.
- Touch Cover: The 3 mm Touch Cover represents a step forward in human-computer interface. Using a unique pressure-sensitive technology, Touch Cover senses keystrokes as gestures, enabling you to touch type significantly faster than with an on-screen keyboard. It will be available in a selection of vibrant colors. Touch Cover clicks into Surface via a built-in magnetic connector, forming a natural spine like you find on a book, and works as a protective cover. You can also click in a 5 mm-thin Type Cover that adds moving keys for a more traditional typing feel.
An Amazing Windows Experience
Two
models of Surface will be available: one running an ARM processor
featuring Windows RT, and one with a third-generation Intel Core
processor featuring Windows 8 Pro. From the fast and fluid interface, to
the ease of connecting you to the people, information and apps that
users care about most, Surface will be a premium way to experience all
that Windows has to offer. Surface for Windows RT will release with the
general availability of Windows 8, and the Windows 8 Pro model will be
available about 90 days later. Both will be sold in the Microsoft Store
locations in the U.S. and available through select online Microsoft
Stores.
Contributing to an Expanded Ecosystem
One
of the strengths of Windows is its extensive ecosystem of software and
hardware partners, delivering selection and choice that makes a
customer’s Windows experience uniquely their own. This continues with
Surface. Microsoft is delivering a unique contribution to an already
strong and growing ecosystem of functional and stylish devices delivered
by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to bring the experience of
Windows to consumers and businesses around the globe.
Additional Product Information
Surface for Windows RT
- OS: Windows RT
- Light(1): 676 g
- Thin(2): 9.3 mm
- Clear: 10.6” ClearType HD Display
- Energized: 31.5 W-h
- Connected: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2x2 MIMO antennae
- Productive: Office ‘15’ Apps, Touch Cover, Type Cover
- Practical: VaporMg Case & Stand
- Configurable: 32 GB, 64 GB
Surface for Windows 8 Pro
- OS: Windows 8 Pro
- Light(1): 903 g
- Thin(2): 13.5 mm
- Clear: 10.6” ClearType Full HD Display
- Energized: 42 W-h
- Connected: microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort Video, 2x2 MIMO antennae
- Productive: Touch Cover, Type Cover, Pen with Palm Block
- Practical: VaporMg Case & Stand
- Configurable: 64 GB, 128 GB
(1), (2). Actual size and weight of the device may vary due to configuration and manufacturing process.
Suggested
retail pricing will be announced closer to availability and is expected
to be competitive with a comparable ARM tablet or Intel Ultrabook-class
PC. OEMs will have cost and feature parity on Windows 8 and Windows
RT.
For more information about Surface, visit http://www.surface.com.
Founded
in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software,
services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their
full potential.
Some
information relates to a prerelease product, which may be substantially
modified before it is commercially released. Microsoft makes no
warranties, express or implied, with respect to the information provided
here.
