Microsoft's Surface tablet PC: What the critics are saying

Microsoft, launched its tablet computer Surface, late on Monday night. The software giant’s plans to launch two versions of the tablet, one which runs on Windows RT and the other which will run on Windows 8 Pro. The company showcased the version that runs on the Windows RT operating system , which won’t go on sale until sometime in the fall.  Just  1/3-inch (9.3 millimeter) thick, the RT version runs on an ARM processor from Nvidia. It also comes with a kickstand to hold it upright and a touch keyboard cover that snaps on using magnets. The device weighs under 1.5 pounds (680 grams) and will cost about as much as other tablet computers. Microsoft also promised that the Surface’s price tag will be similar to the iPad, which sells for $499 to $829, depending on the model. Each tablet comes with a keyboard cover that is just 0.12 inches (3 millimeters) thick. The kickstand for both tablets was just 0.03 inches (0.7 millimeters) thick, which is slimmer than a credit card. So what are the critics saying about Microsoft’s new device? Here’s a look: [caption id=“attachment_348610” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Microsoft, launched its tablet computer Surface, late on Monday night.AP”]  [/caption] TechCrunch’s Matt Burns says this device is no iPad killer. He writes, Even though it will likely never outsell the iPad, the Surface sets a clear standard for HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, and Asus. With a keyboard and a tablet-touchscreen it seems that Microsoft is trying to compete with both the iPad and the Macbook Air, a competition that won’t be easy to win. The slim design is not the only thing that will help Microsoft if it wants to beat Apple According to Verge’s Dieter Bohn, Microsoft has done a good job as far as design goes. He says that 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 Microsoft is quoting. The key to any tablet cum computer is always the light feel and it seems Microsoft has hit that target. But not everyone is impressed with how the device feels when its held. VentureBeat writes, The case actually has a glossy feel, so it’s strange to hold. One the one hand, it’s easier to grip, but with some time it could end up slipping and feeling uncomfortable. TheNextWeb’s Brad McCarty, feels that while the device represents something new Microsoft has left everything right down to the price to the release date hanging in the air which is a bad strategy. It’s a huge, poorly-selling showpiece, running Windows 7. Doesn’t it muddy the waters, so to speak, to name your new tablet the same thing as your nearly-vaporware device that you’ve had for years?  For now while the device does look exciting, Microsoft still needs to clear out the air on how much the device will cost. While a keyboard with a tablet does typing easier for a lot of users, nobody stopped buying the iPad just because it didn’t have a keyboard in the first place. ‘Surface’ does represent something new from Microsoft but for now it looks like its just joining a long hybrids that were launched at the Computex 2012 in Taiwan.