Microsoft Surface with Windows RT

Microsoft Surface with Windows RT ( $ 699 as tested ) is the first entry of Microsoft into the wild world of the tablet . Priced to compete with Apple iPad , the Surface tablet with 64GB of storage will have 10.6 - inch , five - point multi - touch screen . As you say , it is aimed at users who want to do more than simply consuming media and websites , with innovative keyboard cover to do some of the more expensive Windows 8 tablet ' docking solutions look quite clunky by comparison. Plus , it has ace in the hole that makes it feel like a " real computer " : Surface This is a complete copy of Microsoft Office 2013 ( Home and Student Edition ) . The surface has the same user interface as the upcoming Windows 8 laptop and tablet , thanks to Windows RT operating system by Microsoft . However , since the tablet uses Windows RT and a more economical ARM processor , the surface is not compatible with most existing software designed for Windows 7 and XP . This is the conundrum we find ourselves in as we take the first real computing devices Microsoft .

Design
The specific surface looks like the prototypical " Post - PC " device : make it tapered and squared - off sides will be more similar propositions from the Avengers than the rounded one tablet on the market today . Surface measures approximately 7 by 11 by 0.37 inches ( HWD ) , making it smaller than the Apple MacBook Air 11 - inch , but a smidge longer than the current Apple iPad . Our review unit was the $ 699 top - of - the- line version from Microsoft , which includes a Surface Touch Cover . The Touch Cover resembles an Apple iPad Smart Cover , it protects the screen , and also puts it to sleep and wakes it up by closing and opening the cover . It consists of a synthetic material that protects the screen from fingerprints and even small amounts of liquid . The major difference lies in the pressure - sensitive film inside the Touch Keyboard Cover . It will make you forget that clunky Atari 400 keyboard ever happened . The Touch Cover keyboard is one of the most responsive we've ever used and when installed , it turns the Surface of the field laptop . ( The cover type is a little thicker , but uses real keyboard keys for more tactile feel when you type . )

Touch Cover and Type Cover both latch below the Surface of a proprietary magnetic latching mechanism . Latch is both simpler and easier to understand than the latches we've seen other convertible tablet like the one on the HP ElitePad 900 andAsus Infinity Pad transformer TF700 . If you hold the bottom of the Surface of about a half- inch from either magnetic latch cover, built - in magnets to automatically complete the work to a satisfying click . As video on Microsoft , you can press and hold the Top Cover while letting the tablet section swing in midair , and the latch does not come free . Although the magnetic latch is strong , it takes almost no effort to remove the cap with free hand . There's just enough force resisting the motion of detaching the cover to ensure that you know you really detach the cover and not just tugging on it . This means that you can pull across the Surface table by covering it and still have it detach , but then choose the combo up and remove the cover quickly with a faster pulling .