Today Microsoft held a press conference to reveal
their new Tablet PC to rival competitors like Ipad. The "Surface,"a clever name Microsft "stole" from a far less universal product line, the newly dubbeb "Pixelsense" coffee table touchscreen.
Speculation held that Microsoft would be unveiling a new tablet that would be heavily integrated into the Xbox 360. However, that part of the tale never came to fruition. Kinect was mentioned a couple of times, but only in passing as Microsoft listed off their achievements in the personal technology world.
their new Tablet PC to rival competitors like Ipad. The "Surface,"a clever name Microsft "stole" from a far less universal product line, the newly dubbeb "Pixelsense" coffee table touchscreen.
Speculation held that Microsoft would be unveiling a new tablet that would be heavily integrated into the Xbox 360. However, that part of the tale never came to fruition. Kinect was mentioned a couple of times, but only in passing as Microsoft listed off their achievements in the personal technology world.
Tech enthusiasts seemed fairly excited about the device, but Microsoft never tied the announcement to its gaming efforts. While we're absolutely positive the Windows 8-enabled tablet will work just fine with Xbox 360 Smart Glass, Microsoft never mentioned that functionality. They instead spent more time focusing on the personal computing features and form of the device, such as the magnetic cover that doubles as a keyboard.
No price or availability information was announced, however they said they'd be discussing that at a later date (obviously) and to expect the tablet to be competitive with others on the market.
No price or availability information was announced, however they said they'd be discussing that at a later date (obviously) and to expect the tablet to be competitive with others on the market.
It was inevitable that we’d see yet another entry in this increasingly crowded market, but what was really surprising is just how little Microsoft had to say about the gaming potential of the new product. It mentioned support for the Xbox app, and it’s madness to think the Surface won’t utilise SmartGlass and connect natively with the next Xbox console, but no games were shown – although Cut the Rope was installed on one of the demonstration units. Despite this presentation oversight, the Surface is already exciting commentators.
The mobile gaming scene Apple has helped foster is booming, and while Surface’s “Windows 8 Apps” focus will struggle to catch up with that even with significant effort on Microsoft’s behalf, the iPad has demonstrated
that there is a demand for a gaming tablet. The number of calls for (and rumours of) an Apple control pad peripheral or decent third-party standard is proof enough that tablet gamers want to move beyond App Store offerings, too.
The mobile gaming scene Apple has helped foster is booming, and while Surface’s “Windows 8 Apps” focus will struggle to catch up with that even with significant effort on Microsoft’s behalf, the iPad has demonstrated
that there is a demand for a gaming tablet. The number of calls for (and rumours of) an Apple control pad peripheral or decent third-party standard is proof enough that tablet gamers want to move beyond App Store offerings, too.
The Surface is ideally positioned to meet that demand. Despite Microsoft’s tendency to work in closed systems the Surface does something the iPad is often criticised for failing to do – it works with the gear you’ve already got. The screen runs 1920×1080, meaning there’s no need to convert or scale video media, and for those times when that isn’t enough, the Surface has an HDMI port. No more shelling out an eye-opening amount of money for a glaringly white but exquisitely styled plastic converter which really ought to have been in the box on purchase; whatever you’ve got on there can presumably also go on your TV using cables already found in your home
While we’re talking about ports, get a load of that USB 2.0 logo on the side there. It’s here that things start to get really interesting. Microsoft hasn’t promised anything, but the fact that the musclier of the two models – the Ivy Bridge-powered Pro – runs Windows 8 natively means that you may be able to plug in an Xbox 360 or generic PC control pad. Microsoft may even lose its head and throw in wireless Xbox 360 control pad support.
While we’re talking about ports, get a load of that USB 2.0 logo on the side there. It’s here that things start to get really interesting. Microsoft hasn’t promised anything, but the fact that the musclier of the two models – the Ivy Bridge-powered Pro – runs Windows 8 natively means that you may be able to plug in an Xbox 360 or generic PC control pad. Microsoft may even lose its head and throw in wireless Xbox 360 control pad support.
So now we’re starting to see a compelling picture – you have an admittedly middling spec but serviceable Windows box which you can carry anywhere, hook up to a TV, and plug peripherals into. Will it run Steam, or Origin, or GOG, or that catalogue of indie games you’ve built up over the last dozen bundle sales? Will it be capable of supporting any number of modest browser-based and free-to-play games?
If so, Microsoft will have done something quite amazing. Over the last five years we’ve seen PC gaming explode and diversify as smaller and indie developers led a push to uncover new markets
not constrained by the big-budget conservatism of console-driven triple-A development. It might not have the grunt to run the latest and greatest blockbusters with maxed settings, but the Surface could, with very little effort, provide a portable window (I know, I know) into the PC gaming world for all those not interested in shelling out for an uber PC.
If so, Microsoft will have done something quite amazing. Over the last five years we’ve seen PC gaming explode and diversify as smaller and indie developers led a push to uncover new markets
not constrained by the big-budget conservatism of console-driven triple-A development. It might not have the grunt to run the latest and greatest blockbusters with maxed settings, but the Surface could, with very little effort, provide a portable window (I know, I know) into the PC gaming world for all those not interested in shelling out for an uber PC.
"Surface" SPECS:
Weighs 576g
9.33mm thick
0.7mm Kickstand
Two Core Models, each with two memory options
Surface RT has nVidia ARM CPU and comes in 32GB and 64GB
The Surface Pro comes with a third-generation Intel Ivy Bridge Core i5 and comes in 64GB and 128GB
1920x1080 optically bonded multitouch Gorilla Glass Display
Equipped with HDMI and USB 2.0 ports
Offical Microsoft accessories include a magnetically attached cover with a full keyboard, trackpad, and system
keys
Pricing said to be comparable to competing products
Lauch Window TBA
Weighs 576g
9.33mm thick
0.7mm Kickstand
Two Core Models, each with two memory options
Surface RT has nVidia ARM CPU and comes in 32GB and 64GB
The Surface Pro comes with a third-generation Intel Ivy Bridge Core i5 and comes in 64GB and 128GB
1920x1080 optically bonded multitouch Gorilla Glass Display
Equipped with HDMI and USB 2.0 ports
Offical Microsoft accessories include a magnetically attached cover with a full keyboard, trackpad, and system
keys
Pricing said to be comparable to competing products
Lauch Window TBA