Microsoft launches Surface tablet with keyboard cover

Microsoft has introduced a tablet line called Surface, aimed to go out alongside its upcoming Windows 8 operating system.

At an event in Los Angeles on Monday, chief executive Steve Ballmer demonstrated two versions of Surface: one running Windows 8 Pro and the other Windows RT. Each tablet comes with a stand and magnetically attachable covers to allow the tablet to be used like a laptop.

The Type Cover has a keyboard and trackpad. The Touch Cover is a thinner keyboard-cover that comes in a range of colours and has an accelerometer to let the system know when it is folded back, to deactivate the keyboard.

Both versions have a 10.6-inch display. The Windows RT version is 9.3mm thick and weighs 673g, while the Windows 8 Pro Surface 13.5mm thick and weighs 903g. Only the Windows RT Surface comes with any productivity software, as it has Office Home and Student pre-loaded.

Read more on this story in http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/mobile-computers/2012/06/19/microsoft-unveils-its-surface-tablet-range-with-a-twist-40155412/, check out our first take of the Surface or see our photos of Microsoft's tablet.