In 2000, Bill Gates stood on stage in Las Vegas surrounded by industry figures. He told them the days of the browser were over. He calls server-based computing a dead end. He also presented a prototype of the tablet.
He was wrong on two points. Browsers and cloud computing are not dead. They become everything. tablet? The people ignored it.
Ten years later, Steve Jobs changed the script.
He unveiled the iPad in January 2010. He didn’t just impress the experts; He conquered the consumers. Tablets suddenly became important. Apple takes the crown. Microsoft has no answer. Other companies have tried Windows tablets, but they haven’t been able to match Apple’s pace.
It took Microsoft four years to get rid of it. We released Surface in 2012. The name is derived from the previous product. The goals are different. They want to open up space in a market dominated by Apple.
Why the Surface is actually a PC
Microsoft representatives did not call the Surface a tablet. They called it a personal computer.
Steve Jobs defined the iPad as “the device after the computer”. It is more convenient than a computer. Make it simpler. Surface ditched this frame. I’m not trying to make it simpler. Let’s try to become a computer.
Let’s look inside. The difference blurs.
Surface has a Central Processing Unit (CPU). This is standard. The CPU performs the calculation. I need data. complete the task. The results are displayed.
It also has memory. Not just RAM. Storage.
Memory stores data until the CPU needs it. Speed is determined by two things: processor power and available memory. More memory reduces hard drive latency. Surface uses solid state memory. It works like a hard drive. It stores apps. It stores files.
Next is the motherboard.
This circuit board brings it all together. It creates a path. The CPU fetches the data from the memory. The graphics processor sends the image to the screen. This is the nervous system.
Touch screen and technological reality
How is it different from a laptop? user interface.
Surface uses a capacitive display. This is important.
When you touch the screen, the electrical potential of your finger changes. Blocks weak electric fields. The edge circuit detects the charge drop. They pinpoint your finger. Map locations to commands.
Most tablets use this technology.
Does that make them all PCs?
They are all computing devices. The line between “tablet” and “PC” is blurred. It depends on how you define a personal computer. At Surface, we believe that if you have a CPU, RAM, and a motherboard, it’s a PC. It just happens to have a finger-friendly display.
Apple wants you to forget about your computer. Microsoft wants you to remember them.
Microsoft dropped a lot of hints at its June 2012 event, but kept key design details under wraps. Executives wouldn’t commit to any specific processor model, amount of memory or graphics chips. We’ll have to wait until the product actually hits stores later this year to find out more.
But the general idea is clear. Microsoft divides the new devices into two separate groups. On the other hand, it is aimed primarily at ordinary consumers who just want to watch Netflix or browse the web. The other half is designed for professionals who need serious productivity tools.
Storage and size distribution
The storage options vary depending on the purpose of use. There are two consumer models: 32 GB or 64 GB. For power users, the Pro model expands up to 64 GB or 128 GB.
Physical size tells a different story. The consumer version is stylish. It is only 0.37 inches (9.3 mm) thick and weighs 676 grams (1.5 pounds). The professional model is clearly thicker. It is 0.53 inches (13.5 mm) thick and weighs 2 pounds (903 grams).
Windows RT on ARM
The consumer model runs on the Windows RT operating system. This is not a stripped down version of Windows 8 for the desktop. It is a unique operating system designed specifically for mobile devices with severe battery and thermal constraints.
That constraint dictated the hardware. Consumer tablets use ARM-based processors. These chips consume significantly less power than x86 chips. The trade-off? Compatibility. You cannot drag and drop older Windows applications onto this device.
The connections on the consumer side are limited. It has a microSD card slot, a USB 2.0 port and a micro HD video port.
The professional power of Ivy Bridge
Professional models do not follow the same rules. It is equipped with an Intel Core Ivy Bridge processor. It has more cooling space and a bigger battery to run the full Windows 8 Pro operating system.
This means full backwards compatibility with desktop applications. You are not locked into the Windows Store ecosystem.
These ports embody this particular focus. It has a microSDXC slot, a high-speed USB 3.0 port and a mini DisplayPort for high-quality video output.
Shared hardware features
Despite the internal differences, the two tablets share some important external features. Each has a 10.6-inch screen. Both have a kickstand that lets you snap flat against the back or pull it out and prop it up on a table.
Connecting doesn’t have to be an afterthought either. Both models have a WiFi network antenna. On the audio side, each unit has dual array microphones and two speakers.
The divide was stark. One such device is a media consumption machine built for efficiency. The other was a true PC in a slate form factor.
The Tabletop Confusion
If you’ve seen a “Surface” before, this probably isn’t your tablet. Microsoft previously also released a product called Surface. But it was a tabletop touch-screen computer. Designed for retail and interactive industry applications. This version was not released for the consumer market.
Surface peripherals
The Surface case isn’t just protective. It is very practical. Magnetic points in the corners allow accessories to be clicked. When you open the cover, it becomes a keyboard.
There are two options here. The touch cover is flat. It uses pressure sensitive keys. The pro-type cover is different. It has raised, physical keys. Click as you type. Both connect with magnets and communicate via Bluetooth.
Design is important to Microsoft. This is why we published different colored covers at the end of 2012.
Off-screen input options
When you buy the Windows 8 Pro model, you get more than just a keyboard. There is a stylus. It also uses a magnet for attachment. You can write and draw pictures in the app.
There is a function called “Palm Block”. This detects when the pen approaches the screen. The capacitive layer changes the behavior. It ignores your hand. Only the stylus registers touch. No more unintentional scrolling or zooming while working.
Connectivity is standard. Both versions have a USB port. The consumer models come with USB 2.0. The Pro version comes with USB 3.0.
This means you can connect peripherals. Speakers. Microphones. Printers. You can also use the Surface battery to charge other devices.
The Road to Launch
Microsoft is not starting over. The company has had problems with tablets in the past. Bill Gates liked the idea at Comdex 2000, but the actual release in 2002 failed. Consumers didn’t flock to the form factor.
Other manufacturers are also experimenting with Windows tablets. None did well.
However, Microsoft continues to work on the touch interface. In 2007, Steve Ballmer introduced the Surface desktop computer at the All Things Digital show. This is not a laptop. It’s a table. The camera inside the camera tracks objects placed on the surface. Able to recognize multiple touches.
Then there was Courier. A leaked video in 2009 showed a two-screen tablet. One screen for viewing. One to create. Users switch between them to integrate content. The web went wild.
Apple released the iPad in 2010, but the Courier was nowhere to be found. Microsoft is silent. They turned to partners like HP. By April 2010, the Courier project was dead.
The team’s approach is similar to Apple’s. A companion device. This is not a replacement PC. Microsoft wants something different. Tablet for Windows and Office.
Windows 8 is built for this. In Metro mode, everything is optimized for touch. Surface devices are inevitable.
Does it work?
Success is uncertain. Microsoft cares about productivity. They thought people wanted tablets instead of laptops. They think people will pay.
The hardware supports this goal. Keyboard covers fill this gap. Using a pen increases accuracy. USB ports are still important.
But the market is crowded. Apple owns the casual space. Android has a middle ground.
Do you have room for a Windows tablet? The hardware is ready. The software is there. The only variable is user behavior. Let’s see if this bet pays off.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Microsoft Surface a tablet?
Yes. It runs Windows. Developed and sold directly by Microsoft.
