Microsoft Surface

Microsoft Surface

File:Microsoft Surface Pro.jpg Microsoft Surface Pro
Developer	Microsoft
Surface RT Type	Tablet computer
Surface Pro Type	Ultrabook
Variants	Surface RT ↓ Surface Pro ↓
Website	surface.com

Microsoft Surface is a series of tablets designed and marketed by Microsoft. It was announced on June 18, 2012, by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at Milk Studios in Los Angeles.^[11]

The Surface comes in two versions: one with Windows RT and another with Windows 8 Pro. The Windows RT model uses an ARM CPU, while the Windows 8 Pro model uses an Intel CPU.^[12][13] Both models are able to install new applications via the Windows Store, however only the Windows 8 Pro model allows the installation of traditional third-party desktop programs.^[14][15][16]

Hardware [edit]

CPU [edit]

For the CPUs, the Surface with Windows RT uses ARM CPUs (residing in the Nvidia Tegra SoC), ^[17][18] while the Surface Pro features an Intel Core i5 processor.

Multi-touch display [edit]

Surface and Surface Pro have screens of 10.6 inches (27 cm) with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Both tablets use Microsoft's ClearType HD display technology and support an ultra-wide viewing angle and auto-adjusting screen intensity. In announcement talk, Michael Angiulo said that when Surface Pro is held at 17 inches (43 cm), the eyes will not be able to distinguish between individual pixels.^[19][20][21] Both screens feature Gorilla Glass, scratch and crack-resistant glass.^[22]

The display functions as a multi-touch input device. While the Surface RT includes 5-point capacitive touch, the Surface Pro includes 10-points of touch detection. In addition, the Surface Pro includes a digital pen and Wacom's digitizing technology. This allows the pen to be contacted with up to 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity. To achieve highly precise pen inputs, the display produces a weak electromagnetic (EM) field, which induces a current in the otherwise passive pen, which in turn impacts the EM field. This allows the system to detect the position and angle of the pen starting at a distance of 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the display. During pen use, the touch system rejects inputs from the user's palm. While not in use, the pen can be stored on the magnetic connector that is also used for device charging. As a result, the pen must be detached while the device is charging. In addition to the display inputs, both Surface devices include an ambient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass.^[23]

Keyboard [edit]

Microsoft offers two keyboard covers for Surface—the Touch Cover and Type Cover—that connect to the Surface via a magnetic strip. Both serve as protective covers when folded against the device, and function as keyboards when opened. The Touch Cover is 3.25 millimetres (0.128 in) thick and has a pressure-sensitive keyboard. The Type Cover is thicker at 6 millimetres (0.24 in) and includes a tactile keyboard with physical keys. The keyboards have a gyroscope and accelerometer sensor to determine, based on position, whether or not to accept input. Both also include a multitouch touchpad.^[24]

Casing [edit]

The Microsoft Surface line features VaporMg (pronounced "VaporMag"), a molded magnesium casing^[25] that houses Surface's components paired with a PVD finish.^[26] A built-in kickstand allows the Surface to be propped up for viewing without any additional hardware.

Both devices include several hardware buttons and inputs. A hardware button on the side of the device controls wake/sleep state and power of the Surface, and a rocker controls the volume. A touch sensitive Windows key is centered directly below the screen. The bottom of both Surface devices includes a magnetic data connector through which the keyboard covers connect to and communicate with the device. For ports, the Surface RT features a full-size USB 2.0 port, an HD video out port, and a microSDXC card slot; the Surface Pro includes a full-size USB 3.0 port, Mini DisplayPort port, and microSDXC card slot.^[27] Both models have two 720p HD front- and rear-facing cameras,^[28] and a 0.77 millimetres (0.030 in)-thick kickstand which allows the device to be stood up at an angle for hands-free viewing.

Availability [edit]

The Surface RT launched with the general availability release of Windows 8 on October 26, 2012.^[29] The Surface Pro became available on February 9, 2013.^[30] The Surface was initially available only in Microsoft Stores and online, it was later expanded into other vendors, such as Best Buy and Staples.^[31]

At the June 2012 unveiling event, Steven Sinofsky, President of the Windows and Windows Live Division, stated that pricing for the Surface RT "will be comparable to other ARM devices" and pricing for the Surface Pro "will be comparable to current ultrabooks." In a recent interview with the Seattle Times, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer responded to the question about Surface pricing stating that the "sweet spot" for the bulk of the PC market was $300 to $800, but did not detail any more specifics.^[32] On October 16, pricing was revealed for the Surface RT,^[33] and pre-orders opened to ship, "for delivery by 10/26".^[34]

Microsoft outsourced the pre-order process to several different partners, leading to customer confusion about the status of their deliveries.^[35] Microsoft has responded to the delays by offering vouchers to pre-order customers who complain about the late deliveries.^[36] Microsoft will launch Surface in India in early January and its prices will be revealed at the time of launch only.^[37]

In November 2012, Steve Ballmer described the distribution approach to Surface as "modest".^[38] On November 29, 2012, Microsoft revealed the pricing for the two versions of the Surface with Windows 8 Pro (64GB and 128GB).^[39] The tablet would go on sale at February 9, 2013, in the United States and Canada.^[40] Earlier reports were saying sometime in January.^[41] A launch event was set to be held on February 8, 2013, but was cancelled at the last minute due to the February 2013 nor'easter.^[42] The 128GB version of the tablet sold out on the same day as its release. There was much less demand for the 64GB version, because of the much smaller available storage capacity, but supplies of the lower cost unit were almost as tight.^[43] The 128GB version was back and available for order again on February 16th 2013. However, shipments would be delayed until the following March 1st.^[44] As of March 3rd, shipments would be delayed until March 12th, according to the Microsoft Online Store. As of March 7th the 128GB Tablet became available again and resumed shipping.

Reception [edit]

Surface RT sales [edit]

Reception to the Surface RT by critics has been mixed, ranging from scathing reviews to slightly more positive ones. The hardware received mostly positive reviews, while the software and overall experience were mixed. Wired reviewer Mathew Honan stated that while "This is one of the most exciting pieces of hardware I’ve ever used. It is extremely well-designed; meticulous even," the tablets are "likely to confuse many of Microsoft’s longtime customers".^[45] TechCrunch,^[46] Matt Buchanan at Buzzfeed,^[47] and Gizmodo recommended against purchasing the tablet. Gizmodo mentioned issues such as the high price tag and described it as similar but inferior to the iPad, but also praised the hardware saying, "You'll appreciate it every time you pick it up and turn it on. It's a simple, joyful experience."^[48] David Pogue at The New York Times praised the hardware but criticized the software.^[49] The Verge described the technology as fulfilling the role of a laptop or tablet "half as well as other devices on the market," adding "the whole thing is honestly perplexing."^[50] Warner Crocker from Gotta Be Mobile described it as "frustratingly confusing."^[51] Farhad Manjoo of Slate noted that the "shortcomings are puzzling" given how much time Microsoft spent developing the device.^[52] Neil McAllister has noted the lack of a compelling case to switch from the iPad to a Windows RT device at the same price point, because Apple already has a strong network effect from their app developers and few Windows developers have ported their offerings over to the ARM processor.^[53]

According to The Register, Market watcher IHS iSuppli estimates Microsoft to have shipped 1.25 million Surface RT devices to sales channel, but by the end of 2012, only 55–60% of the shipment had been purchased by speculators.^[54] According to CNET News, iSuppli believes the reason behind the high return rate is the steep learning curve of the operating system.^[55]

Surface Pro sales [edit]

Total Surface sales continued at a steady level after the introduction of the Pro series, indicating that people were simply buying the Intel-inside tablets instead of their ARMed counterparts, with no increased market penetration.^[56]

By the end of 2013 Q1, Surface Pro sales were almost even with Amazon's Kindle in fifth place, shipping 700 thousand units against Apple's 19.1 million.

Industry response [edit]

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), whose products have traditionally run Microsoft operating systems, have had positive responses to the release of the Surface.^[57] HP, Lenovo, Samsung and Dell^[58] applauded Microsoft's decision to create its own Tablet PC and said that relationships with Microsoft have not changed. John Solomon, senior vice president of HP, said that "Microsoft was basically making a leadership statement and showing what's possible in the tablet space".^[59][60] Acer founder Stan Shih said that he believed Microsoft only introduced its own hardware in order to establish the market and would then withdraw in favor of its OEMs.^[61]

However, others believe that OEMs were left sidelined by the perception that Microsoft's new tablet will replace their products.^[62][63] Acer chairman JT Wang advised Microsoft to "please think twice".^[64] Microsoft has acknowledged that Surface may "affect their commitment" of partners to the Windows platform.^[65]

Steve Ballmer said that the Surface, like the Xbox, is an example of the sort of hardware products Microsoft will release in the future.^[66]

Reported problems [edit]

Users on Microsoft's support forum reported that some Touch Covers were splitting at the seam where it connects to the tablet, exposing its wiring. A Microsoft spokesperson stated that the company was aware of the issue, and would offer free replacements for those who have been affected by the defect.^[67][68] Other users have reported issues with audio randomly stuttering or muting on the Surface RT while in use.^[69] Wi-Fi connectivity issues were also reported, that Microsoft promised to fix.^[70] But, users have reported that the fix Microsoft delivered did not fix those issues.^[71] Microsoft has acknowledged a bug in the Windows key, that does not always work, but has promised a fix.^[72]

With the Surface Pro, Microsoft has acknowledged issues encountered by some users with its stylus pen, such as the pen randomly not working correctly, and with older applications that do not have complete pen support due to the different APIs used by the Surface Pro's stylus drivers. In the latter case, Microsoft has indicated that it is working with software vendors to ensure better compatibility.^[73][74] Surface Pro also has Wi-Fi issues.^[75] The Surface Pro has issues waking up from standby mode.^[76]

Controversy [edit]

On November 14, 2012, Microsoft was sued by a professional class action, Los Angeles lawyer for false advertising and unfair business practices due to the fact that about half of the total storage space on his 32 GB Surface RT tablet was being used by the operating system, applications, and recovery data.^[77] Microsoft said in a statement that it believes the suit is without merit, because it had advertised the discrepancy on its website.^[78]

According to Microsoft, the 64GB Surface Pro tablet will only have 29 GB of usable storage space and that the 128 GB Surface will only have 89 GB^[79] which has been the source of criticism in the technology news media.^[80][81] ZDNet editor Ed Bott has pointed out that the storage can be significantly improved by moving the recovery partition to a USB flash drive and that the MacBook Air suffers from the same problems, accusing the critics of holding a double standard.^[82]

See also [edit]

	Microsoft portal
	Information technology portal

• Comparison of tablet computers
• List of Windows tablet devices

References [edit]

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Microsoft Surface

• Microsoft Surface
• Building of Surface

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