Microsoft Surface tablet release date confirmed in SEC filing
Summary: Surface tablets will be available in the US from October 26, the same time as Windows 8, a filing has shown
Microsoft has officially confirmed that it will release its upcoming Surface tablet to coincide with Windows 8 US availability on October 26.
The company revealed the date in a US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing on Thursday.
"The next version of our operating system, Windows 8, will be generally available on October 26, 2012," Microsoft said. "At that time, we will begin selling the Surface, a series of Microsoft-designed and manufactured hardware devices."
The Surface tablet was announced in June, but no release date or specs were given at the time. Microsoft has not confirmed at the time of writing if the 26 October release date covers the US only, or if it will extend to other markets.
While the Surface tablet release was largely expected to coincide with Windows 8 availability, this is thought to be the first time the date has been publicly confirmed by Microsoft.
The Surface, which shares its name with Microsoft's range of table-top touchscreen devices, could bring Microsoft into competition with its own OEM partners, the filing added.
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Talkback
Groundbreaking
Ha, ha, ha! Let's just see Apple top this! My guess is that they're probably two to two and a half years away from developing similar technology... at the pace that technology advances, that pretty much gives Microsoft an insurmountable lead.
They are gonna eat you alive...
Not groundbreaking...
That works as
Anyway, since there are way too many people who subscribe to Microsoft religion, my prediction is these will sell as fast as Microsoft is able to manufacture them.
Will the name "Windows" confuse?
Microsoft is supposedly going to severely restrict distribution, to their own web sites and stores. They need to make really sure that people understand what they're buying. Before they allow Surface RT into the Best Buys of the world, they need to make sure they know how to prevent unhappy customers and a high return rate.
Not to mention that
Will Microsoft get hit with the same outrage by tech journalists and bloggers that RIM did for releasing their Playbook tablet before their native email client was ready?
I'm sure they'll think of something to rage about
So, now that a release date is known (note that I didn't say announced), will the hater "tech journalists" be appeased?
No, seriously doubt it.
Surface RT in MS Stores
The Surface RT will only be distributed on Microsoft Stores (I suppose it includes the online store too). Maybe what you post could be the reason MS decided it won't be sold thru other retailers.
confuse ?
Sarcasm noted - and legitimately hilarious
It's so ironic that Microsoft
a) couldn't see the iPad coming
b) didn't respond to the iPad
c) now has introduced a PC-tablet to compete with the post-PC iPad
It just illustrates how the leadership at Microsoft is still living in the 1990's.
Microsoft saw "tablet computing" coming
The world didn't care.
Apple came along almost a decade later and did the same thing.
Everybody crapped all over themselves trying to get one.
Microsoft announces the Surface, a tablet with the horsepower and capability of a desktop.
The haters say "MSFT copied Apple!"
If these things had WACOM digitizers in addition to capacitive touch
Without that, why the heck would someone buy one of these things when they could buy an iPad with a better app ecosystem, more developed hardware, etc.
The surface pro is supposed
Why?
b) They want to support Microsoft.
c) They are already heavily invested into Microsoft's much larger ecosystem that will be working on the Surface Pro.
d) They want all the various ports without having to buy proprietary adapters. (Just read Apple charges an average of $4 per accessory for all those non-Apple products)
e) They want live tiles. If you have never had them, you should try something with live tiles- they are quite awesome and save a bit of time.
f) They like buying products that are designed based on user needs, not what the company decides the user needs... of course, the vast majority of those users probably don't know what they are missing.
Who?
Looks thick as a brick!!
What the?
it's the same thickness and .05 lbs heavier
If MS can get a 7" version surface
That's still $100 over the Nexus