Microsoft's Surface tablet: everything you need to know
At a mysterious event in Los Angeles, Microsoft launched the new Surface, but instead of a table-sized device the company unveiled a 10.6-inch tablet running Windows 8. In addition to the new software and hardware, Microsoft showed off a handful of new accessories, including 3mm-thick cases with multitouch or tactile keyboards. To see everything as it happened, you can read through our liveblog, or check out all the news below.
Microsoft makes Surface available in more countries, Pro model hits UK next month
Microsoft has announced a sweeping international expansion of Surface Pro availability. Until this point, Microsoft's top-tier Windows 8 tablet has only been for sale in the US, Canada, and China. But by the end of next month, that's going to change in a big way; Microsoft says Surface Pro will reach the UK, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland by...
Microsoft underestimated its own Surface Pro storage, tests show
Microsoft's original Surface Pro storage estimates, that the company supplied to The Verge, are incorrect. In a series of tests, Ed Bott over at ZDNet has found that a 128GB model of the Surface Pro actually has 89.7GB of free usable space compared to the incorrect 83GB figure. It appears the reason for Microsoft's mistaken values stems from a difference between pre-production and final shipping hardware.
Final Surface Pro models shipping with more storage than expected
"A source inside...
Microsoft addresses Surface Pro battery life and storage concerns in Reddit AMA
Reviews of Microsoft's latest Surface Pro tablet went live late last night, and Microsoft has been answering a number of questions from Reddit's community today during an AMA session. Two hot topics are around the battery life and usable storage. Microsoft previously revealed to The Verge that its 64GB Surface Pro model would only have around 23GB of usable storage, but the company says its initial estimates "were conservative." Final production units are arriving with around 6-7GB of...
Surface off to a slow start, but Microsoft will reveal sales figures eventually
Despite rumors of Microsoft building three to five million tablets for its Surface RT launch, it appears that the company may have only shipped less than one million in the recent quarter. IDC says the figure is "just shy of 900,000 units into the channel," as Microsoft looks to compete with other tablet makers. "There is no question that Microsoft is in this tablet race to compete for the long haul," says IDC's Ryan Reith. "Reaction to the company's Surface with Windows RT tablet was muted...
Microsoft's 64GB Surface Pro will only have 23GB usable storage (update)
Microsoft's Surface Pro tablet, due on February 9th, will have a smaller amount of storage space than expected. A company spokesperson has confirmed to The Verge that the 64GB edition of Surface Pro will have 23GB of free storage out of the box. The 128GB model will have 83GB of free storage. It appears that the Windows 8 install, built-in apps, and a recovery partition will make up the 41GB total on the base Surface Pro model.
Microsoft says users will be able to free up additional storage...
Surface orders delayed in the UK, Microsoft hands out £50 store coupon as a peace offering
Microsoft's Surface launch may have gone smoothly in New York, but orders across the pond in Britain aren't going as well. The software giant has been unable to ship units to customers in the UK on time, and several readers have contacted us to let us know that deliveries have not arrived. Microsoft did previously warn customers that Surface would be delayed until November 2nd in the UK, but the company later claimed that was a mistake. It appears the Surface units are being dispatched today,...
Surface launch at Times Square: at Microsoft, it's hip to be square
Today marks the beginning of Windows 8 and a new era for Microsoft, a company that has struggled to win over consumers' hearts in recent years. At a launch event in New York last night, Microsoft flexed its marketing muscles for all to see. From taking over the famous digital screens at Times Square, to rows and rows of outside areas with Windows 8 machines, Microsoft created what can only be descried as an expensive spectacle.
Midnight crowds
A holiday pop-up store in the heart of Times...
Initial Surface US pre-orders sold out, some UK orders delayed to November 2nd (update)
Microsoft's initial stock of Surface RT devices has sold out in the United States. The 32GB base model, at $499, sold out earlier in the week, but all stock has now been depleted with a wait time of within three weeks rather than a guaranteed October 26th delivery. Alongside the sell out, a number of UK readers are reporting that Microsoft has delayed the release of Surface by a week.
"The release date for the preorder product has changed," reads an email sent to some buyers who pre-ordered...
With Surface looming, Microsoft fails to explain Windows 8 vs. Windows RT to consumers
With only nine days remaining before an October 26th launch, Microsoft's Windows 8 marketing campaign is approaching full force. With an estimated $1.5 billion budget, Redmond is plastering subway stations, spraying walls and sidewalks, erecting website banners and planning holiday pop-up stores, not to mention running expensive commercials on national television. So far, Microsoft is focusing much of that effort on promoting its flagship Surface tablet, which went on pre-order yesterday.
T...
Microsoft's Surface available for pre-order in eight countries, shipping October 26th
We've been hearing about the Surface for the better part of six months, but in all that time Microsoft has kept secret what might be the tablet's most important feature: its price. After revealing the price earlier today, the device goes up for pre-order (starting at 12PM ET), so the secret's out: you can buy a Windows RT-powered Surface starting at $499. They ship by October 26th. Microsoft's Steven Sinofsky referred to the desire to match "our competitor" when asked about the price at an...
Under the Surface: an inside look at how Microsoft's tablet came to be
"Tape and strings literally made Surface."
Panos Panay, general manager of the team behind the Microsoft Surface, touches an old mockup made of black and white plastic. He's forgetting glue, certainly – two panels appear to have been hot-glued to form the "tablet" part of the device — but tape and strings really are two key ingredients in this prototype, the one Panay's team used to show off what Surface would look like. It's crude and fragile, but it's also unmistakably Surface.
At a...
Microsoft Surface RT priced at $499 or $599 with Touch Cover keyboard
After announcing its Surface tablets nearly four months ago, Microsoft has now unveiled the pricing for both of its ARM-based Surface RT tablets at its Microsoft online stores. The 10.6-inch Surface, powered by Windows RT, will go on sale on October 26th and will be priced starting at $499 for the 32GB version without Touch Cover and a 32GB version with the Touch Cover for $599. Microsoft is also offering 64GB model for $699 with a Touch Cover included. The 9.3mm thin tablet weighs just...
Microsoft reportedly building 3 to 5 million Surface tablets this quarter
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer may not have seemed serious about selling the company's Surface tablets, describing them as "just a design point" that the company "may sell a few million" of over the next 12 months, but it looks like the software giant is determined to compete with Surface. The Wall Street Journal reports that Microsoft has placed orders to manufacture between 3 and 5 million Surface tablets in the fourth quarter.
Mass production of the devices reportedly began earlier this...
Microsoft Surface banner ads hint at pre-order availability
Gizmodo has an ad for Microsoft's Surface tablet currently running on its front page. The advert says that Surface is now open for pre-order and invites you to "buy now," but clicking on it redirects you to a Bing search for "Surface Microsoftstore." It's likely that an error has led to the advertisement running early, but this could be an indication that Microsoft is planning to finally announce its Windows RT tablet's pricing and availability today. The Verge user Tylers86 has spotted the...
First Microsoft Surface ad airs on national TV ahead of October 26th release
Microsoft's first ad for its Surface tablet will start to air on national TV this evening. The software maker will air the ad during Monday Night Football on ESPN. Following the initial Windows 8 TV ads, the Surface campaign marks the next step in Microsoft's marketing blitz — which will reportedly cost the company over $1 billion.
The ad features a play on the click sound generated from the kickstand on the device and the magnetic keyboard. Microsoft doesn't reveal any important pricing...
Microsoft's Surface graffiti ads go global, French version hints at European launch
While Microsoft has confirmed its Surface RT tablet will launch on October 26th in the US, the company has yet to announce international availability. An initial announcement of the Surface tablets referenced availability "through select online Microsoft Stores," suggesting that major international markets would be catered for.
Surface ads have now started appearing in Paris, with the "clic" tagline. The ads look identical to the ones found across a number of US cities, and could hint at the...
Microsoft to launch Surface at midnight on October 26th
Microsoft has started sending out invites to a special "Surface Reception" event on October 25th. Alongside a Windows 8 introduction, the software giant will launch its highly anticipated tablet at midnight on October 26th — according to a company spokesperson. Some of Microsoft's holiday pop-up stores will open for the Surface launch at midnight, with other Microsoft Stores selling the tablet on October 26th.
Microsoft has not yet confirmed pricing for its Surface tablet, with CEO Steve...
Ballmer flashes his Surface tablet in an effort to woo Windows 8 app developers
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is a busy man this month and next. After helping to unveil Nokia and HTC Windows Phone 8 devices, he's back on the road again visiting Silicon Valley-based tech startup accelerator RocketSpace. In a rare private event, Ballmer and Windows CFO Tami Reller discussed the Windows 8 developer opportunity and a variety of hardware options for end users. Wired reports that Ballmer briefly demonstrated a Surface RT tablet, highlighting the Touch Cover — which he threw to...
Microsoft Surface street art ads appear in New York
Microsoft's new Surface might not be launching until October 26th, but the company appears to be kicking off its marketing for the Windows RT-powered tablet a little early. A building wall in New York City has been taken over by three tablet outlines — similar to the ones used in Microsoft's unveiling of the Surface back in June. While there's no pricing information or other details, the street art shows off a trio of colors for the Surface keyboards — similar to the Surface cake...
Ballmer on Microsoft's Surface: 'we may sell a few million'
Speaking at the Worldwide Partner Conference in Canada this week, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer revealed his expectations for the company's new Surface tablet. Describing the Windows 8-powered Surface as "just a design point," Ballmer believes Microsoft "may sell a few million" of its tablets over the next 12 months as part of a forecast for 375 million Windows PC shipments. Stressing the "importance" of Microsoft's OEM partners, Ballmer says the company is "excited about the work" hardware...
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Surface: PC makers offer no comment as reports conflict on when Microsoft gave them the news
Microsoft's debut of the Surface family of tablets wowed on several levels yesterday, not the least of which is the fact that Redmond will be moving into direct competition with some of the hardware partners it relied upon to build the dominance of Windows. Acer and Lenovo have both shown off Windows 8 tablets in recent weeks, with Dell, HP, and others expected to follow. Microsoft's first-party option now has the potential to upset what has been a stable relationship between hardware maker...
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With the Surface, Microsoft just started writing its next chapter
I first met Steven Bathiche when I took a trip to Microsoft's campus to check out what the company had been doing in the research and development department. Microsoft PR had sworn to me that I would be blown away by the "cool things" the company was doing, and I wanted to see for myself (you can watch the results here, here, and here).
Stevie's lab was located in a dark corner of one of the many, large buildings within the company's Seattle sprawl. The second I walked inside, it was clear...
Microsoft Surface tablets have new MagSafe-like connector, may transmit both power and data
Unusually for a Microsoft product launch, we've been left with plenty of unanswered questions after yesterday's Surface tablet announcement, and some extra intrigue has been added this morning by a keen-eyed Engadget reader. The right side of Microsoft's Surface for Windows RT and Windows 8 tablets is occupied by a USB port, a video output, a speaker grille, and... a heretofore unseen five-pin connector slot.
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Watch this: Microsoft's Surface event video now live
Microsoft announced one of its more significant hardware products today, a Surface tablet running on Windows 8 or Windows RT. Although the company did not release pricing or availability information, consumers will be able to pick between an ARM-powered or Intel-based Microsoft Surface with varying specifications. If you followed our live blog, but wanted to see Steve Ballmer's excitement over Microsoft's latest gear then you'll want to check out the full video from the company's event,...
Microsoft Surface vs. Surface... and the Windows, Android, and iOS tablet competition
We saw plenty of crazy transforming tablets at Computex Taipei a couple of weeks back, even some that ran Windows 8, but nothing that could have prepared us for what Microsoft itself is building. The company unveiled a pair of 10.6-inch tablets dubbed "Surface" today, and they sound pretty sweet, with built-in stands, covers with embedded keyboards, and cases molded out of vapor-deposited magnesium ("VaporMg") with neatly beveled edges for a (hopefully) comfortable grip.
What sets apart...
Steve Ballmer on Microsoft Surface: 'we want to prime the pump'
We just had a chat with none other than Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer, and as you would expect, he's feeling excited about the company's new product. During the conversation, Ballmer let us know that hardware partners were indeed made aware of this announcement in advance of the event today. Ballmer wouldn't say whether or not he thinks they'll be chafing at the thought of Microsoft in their space, though he did mention that he thought they might "opine."
When pressed on what he thought...
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Microsoft Surface with Windows RT runs an Nvidia Tegra processor
Nvidia just sent out a brief note in the wake of Microsoft's Surface announcements this afternoon that the Windows RT version of the tablet — the one that runs an ARM processor — will be using an Nvidia Tegra chipset. That's particularly interesting considering Microsoft's existing (and longstanding) partnership with Qualcomm for Snapdragon support in Windows Phone. The companies haven't shared exactly which Tegra will be inside the Surface, but we already know that Nvidia will be s...
Microsoft Surface with Windows RT hands-on pictures and video
Here it is, Microsoft Surface, the all new, Microsoft-made tablet. We just had our hands on the sleek new device, and we must say — it does feel incredibly well designed.
Microsoft is only showing off the Windows RT version of the Surface, which means ARM CPU and a thinner, 9.3mm form factor. The design and build of the tablets the company has here feel very polished, with tight, clean lines. The device was also surprisingly light, barely feeling like it reached the full 1.5 pounds...
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Microsoft unveils Type Cover tactile keyboard for Surface
It looks like Microsoft will be offering Surface users who prefer full keyboards two different options. The Type Cover is a full tactile keyboard, unlike the previously-revealed Touch Cover keyboard. It may seem like a minor difference, but the latter is an improvement over the standard capacitive touch keyboard, while the Type Cover is a slimmed down version of a true keyboard with actual moving keys. Steven Sinofsky says that the accessory has a full touchpad with clickable buttons, too. Of...
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Microsoft Surface Touch Cover has a full multitouch keyboard and touchpad
As part of its announcement of the Microsoft Surface tablet, the company just revealed that the Surface Touch Cover will contain an integrated multitouch keyboard and trackpad. As Steven Sinofsky said when introducing the product, "typing is twice as efficient as typing on glass." The cover itself only adds 3mm to the Surface's thickness, and also unsurprisingly attaches to the Surface with a magnetic connector. Perhaps most notably, the Touch Cover uses pressure-sensitive technology which...
Microsoft announces Netflix for Windows 8
We're on the ground at Microsoft's Surface tablet announcement, and Steven Sinofsky just showed off (albeit very quickly) Netflix for Windows 8. He didn't give much detail at all, but he did say that the app has been custom designed for Windows 8 with semantic zoom, a Metro UI touch-optimized zooming technique (pan and scroll). We don't know much else about Netflix for Windows 8, but we'll let you know as soon as we do.
For now, be sure to check out all of our Microsoft Surface coverage right...
10.6-inch Microsoft Surface tablets announced, powered by Windows 8
After days of speculation and rumors, Microsoft's major announcement has just been unveiled at a press event in Los Angeles: a Surface tablet. We suspected the company might be working on its own tablet, and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer revealed the device on stage at Milk Studios in Los Angeles today. Discussing Microsoft's history with Windows, Xbox, and Kinect, Ballmer introduced a video of the company's hardware products over the years before unveiling Windows 8's companion, the Microsoft...
