Surface Tablet availability confirmed on 26th Oct

[HappyAndyK]

Microsoft has confirmed that it will start selling the Windows 8 Surface tablets manufactured by itself, on the same day that Windows 8 will be launched, viz. October 26, 20012.

The next version of our operating system, Windows 8, will be generally available on October 26, 2012. At that time, we will begin selling the Surface, a series of Microsoft-designed and manufactured hardware devices, says Microsoft. It has also stated there that, "In addition, our Surface devices will compete with products made by our OEM partners, which may affect their commitment to our platform."

The Surface RT (ARM) tablets would be available right away, whereas the Surface Pro (Intel) tablets are expected to be launched in December.

[DustinH]

I'm not sure on the RT tablets. Not sure how big of a market the applications are going to be. The Pro model with the Intel CPU already has a huge library of applications (all current Windows applications). I'm going to skip the RT model this time, and look into the Pro model after the first of the year.

[HappyAndyK]

I too am waiting to buy the Pro model, but I bet there are going to be man takers for the RT model too. I think the lower end model would be more price-sensitive.

[whs]

I wonder how much they will cost. I think the price will determine the success. With the new Google tab for $199, it will be a tough place to compete.

[pantel]

Surface Tablet is a new tablet from Microsoft. With ultra-light and highly undestroyable magnesium body casing, Surface tablets will change the way you work and play.