Microsoft Announces Surface: A Tablet With A Keyboard

Since Microsoft’s mysterious announcement of a relatively impromptu press conference, initially without a location, everyone’s been guessing as to what this big production could possible be about. The most common theory seemed to be a tablet announcement, and that’s exactly right. Microsoft has announced its new “Surface” tablet, an iPad competitor with unique features like a keyboard, digital ink input, and even a built-in stand.

Naturally, Microsoft has some grand things to say about what this tablet is, what purpose it will hold, and what niche it will fill, but the features speak from themselves.

• 9.3 mm thick
• Full-sized USB 2.0 port
• Edges beveled at 22 degrees for maximum comfort, or something
• A magnesium case
• 1.5 pounds
• 10.6 inch display
• Built-in stand
• Magnetic cover with a full multitouch keyboard and multitouch trackpad
• Loaded with Microsoft Office
• Models for Windows RT and full Windows 8
• Pen input with digital ink, sampled at 600 dpi
• An option of the “Type Cover” which has a real click-y keyboard

(h/t The Verge)