Microsoft's Surface Tablet RT: How it Compares to the iPad
Microsoft's newly-announced Surface tablet is powerful enough to replace your PC, but Microsoft execs told press gathered at the launch in Los Angeles that Surface is a reimagining of the tablet.
In fact, Surface is both a tablet and a PC, and will be available in two versions when it ships later this year. One is Windows RT, the other Windows Pro, running a full version of Windows 8.
So how does the Surface tablet stack up against the iPad, the current tablet market leader? We don't have all the specs in yet — Microsoft didn't release any information on pricing or availability. They did say "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."
Both Surface devices are expected to be released to manufacturing this summer, and possibly available to the public by late summer.
Here's how they stack up for now:
Does the Surface tablet look enticing to you? Would you use it to replace an existing tablet or a PC? Let us know in the comments.
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13 Comments to Microsoft's Surface Tablet RT: How it Compares to the iPad
by Blessing Matore
On June 18, 2012 at 10:58 pm
They has been no mention of 3g/4g, I am assuming it's such an obvious thing on a tablet that they see no need to mention it.
by Ishmael McCormick
On June 18, 2012 at 11:04 pm
Not having either feature would add a reason to not be interested in the device, along with not knowing what type of graphics chip is inside of it.
by Marcin Szablewski
On June 18, 2012 at 11:10 pm
At this moment there isn't enough information to truly do a good comparison. IF it comes with built in 4G, Bluetooth, uns smoothly and can be attached to a external display, I can see myself potentially replacing a laptop with one of these. The biggest downside however still would be storage. A good business based laptop at minimum has a 128GB SSD, the max storage here is 64GB. The other critical component to any user would be having a good undstanding of what third party applications it can support properly.
by Dale Foster
On June 18, 2012 at 11:14 pm
Just so you know… the RT specs do not state Full HD only HD where the Pro does specify Full HD
by lifermedia
On June 18, 2012 at 11:17 pm
I agree with Marcin. The storage is an issue when it comes to replacing a PC, but then again who doesn't use and external hard drive. I think the design is better than the iPad for the USB ports alone.
by Ishmael McCormick
On June 18, 2012 at 11:21 pm
Both versions have ad card slots and a couple of USB ports…
by Ishmael McCormick
On June 18, 2012 at 11:22 pm
Ad=sd
by Tao Jones
On June 18, 2012 at 11:32 pm
this thing looks a bit awkward as usual for Microsoft products it has a designed by committee look to it. (A camel is a horse built by committee) the key pad shows a lack of commitment to a touch screen or worse a lack of execution it reminds me of a blackberry manufactured by Panasonic. it has no sex appeal whatsoever. it reminds me of one of those cheap looking boom boxes with the fake antenna dishes near the handles ( Balmer forgot to put on a handle !) I for one would be embarrassed to break this out at a party
by Marcos Vieira
On June 18, 2012 at 11:50 pm
I sort of agree with you on the lack of commitment with the touch screen, but it's a valuable bet. My girlfriend, for example, dislikes touch devices because she argues she's not confortable typing on the screen. A keyboard like the built-in on Surface would be helpful on her case.
by William-Robert Cousert
On June 19, 2012 at 12:02 am
The best tablet in the world is useless if it doesn't work with the apps you need.
by Jason Kirschner
On June 19, 2012 at 12:42 am
You can't compare them just yet. I also think that when the time comes for a proper comparison that there also needs to be a comparison to Android tablets as well. I see this as a greater threat to Android than iPad.
by Karim Frenn
On June 19, 2012 at 1:23 am
Isn't iPad starting price $499 ?
by Sabrina Sai
On June 19, 2012 at 1:49 am
But its not a as ipad.