Microsoft Unveils 'Surface' Tablet

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer revealed the company's uber-hyped new tablet at an event in Los Angeles today: the Microsoft Surface. Windows division President Steven Sinofsky ran down the details, MSNBC and Forbes report:

• A magnetic, clip-on cover includes a multi-touch keyboard and trackpad, which Sinofsky says is twice as easy as typing on glass.

• One version of the Surface runs on a Nvidia ARM processor and offers Windows RT. The other runs on an Intel processor and comes with Windows 8 Pro.
• Both have a 10.6-inch screen HD display. The RT version is 9.3mm thick; the Windows 8 Pro version is 13.5mm thick.
• The RT version offers microSD and USB 2.0 ports; the Windows 8 Pro version has microSDXC and USB 3.0 ports. Both have 2x2 MIMO antennae.
• Both have a tough, Gorilla Glass 2.0 screen with native 1080p resolution.
• The Windows 8 Pro version supports digital ink and comes with a pen. Its "palm block" stops the Surface from taking touch input when the pen is close enough for writing.
• Both come with a kickstand for movie-watching and a built-in camera angled at 22 degrees.
• The RT version weighs 676 grams; the Windows 8 Pro version weighs 903 grams.
• The RT version holds 32 GB or 64 GB; the Windows 8 Pro version holds 64 GB or 128 GB.

MSNBC has pics, and Forbes runs down the specs in a nice table format. Wired is also live-blogging with photos. (More Microsoft stories.)