Microsoft has unveiled Surface – its own-brand family of tablets.
The touchscreen computers will be powered by its upcoming Windows 8 system and contain a choice of an Intel or ARM-based processor.
It allows the firm to challenge Apple’s bestselling iPad with a device that can run standard applications such as its own Office programs and Photoshop.
But it puts Microsoft in competition with other manufacturers planning to release tablets designed for Windows 8.
The company’s chief executive, Steve Ballmer, said he had wanted to give the software “its own companion hardware.”
The devices have 10.6 inch (26.9cm) displays, built-in kickstands and are housed in magnesium cases – which the company described as the first of their kind.
The ARM-based tablets are 9.3mm (0.4 inches) thick – slightly less than the iPad – and run the Windows RT version of the new system.
The Windows RT version will be available sometime this fall in 32- and 64-gigabyte versions and will be priced “comparably” to other tablets on the market.The full Windows 8 version will be available three months later in 64- and 128-GB versions.
The devices are also designed to work with a pen accessory using what the firm dubbed “digital ink”.
Running the normal WINDOWS software would really give APPLE and SAMSUNG a run for there money. Only time will tell