According to The Telegraph, Microsoft (through their annual report) confirmed that 26th October is the day when their new operating system, Windows 8, will be made available to the public. For those who can't wait to lay their hands on a Surface tablet, it will also be the day which Microsoft starts selling Surface tablets. The only catch is that the Surface tablets will be equipped with ARM processors, meaning they are Windows RT-based devices.
Devices equipped with the more powerful Intel chips as well as the full-blown Windows 8 OS (Windows Surface Pro), are scheduled to be retailed in early 2013. No pricing details have been revealed, save for an unconfirmed leak on a Swedish online store, although Microsoft maintains that pricing will be competitive.
Specifications of the devices have also been fairly scarce, with only the thickness, weight, and screen size available. The Windows RT device will be 9.3mm thick, weigh 676 grams and sport 32GB or 64GB storage capacities. The Windows 8 tablet, Surface Pro, will be 13.5mm thick, weigh 903 grams and have up to 128GB storage. Both will sport 10.6-inch screen sizes, but screen resolutions for both machines have yet to be revealed.
Gartner analyst Michael Gartenberg said “Microsoft felt they could not rely on others to deliver on their vision for Windows 8 in mobile computing.” In its annual report, Microsoft claims Windows 8’s “success depends on a number of factors including the extent to which customers embrace its new user interface and functionality, successfully coordinating with our OEM partners in releasing a variety of hardware devices that take advantage of its features, and attracting developers at scale to ensure a competitive array of quality applications. We expect to incur substantial marketing costs in launching Window 8 and associated services and devices, which may reduce our operating margins."
Source: The Telegraph
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