Surface Tablet Announced to Compete With iPad

The late Steve Jobs and Apple had a clear influence on the way new tech products are rolled out.

Microsoft announced yesterday that their Surface tablet will arrive this fall, running the highly-anticipated Windows 8 operating system.  Pricing has yet to be announced, but this marks a clear paradigm shift for the software behemoth.  Once content to dominate the world’s operating systems, Microsoft is getting into the hardware game like never before.  

Major differences between the Surface and the ubiquitous iPad include a pen that clicks into the tablet for storage, a magnesium case and a built-in kickstand.  The cover also flips down to become a full keyboard – a welcome change for anyone who needs to type anything long or complicated on their tablet.

Here at Ai2, we are always looking at the best devices to run our mobility software for wholesale distribution professionals.  We’re eager to see if Microsoft is able to cut into the tablet market in a way that HP and RIM were not.  If the demand is there, we will be ready to give our wholesalers the best solutions, just as we’ve always done.