Microsoft enters tablet fray with its Surface device

Software giant makes its first computer, a device it hopes will oust Apple's iPad from offices around the world

Microsoft has launched a tablet device called Surface that will be available later this year in two versions, one running on an Intel architecture, and the other on ARM.

The Intel version will run the full Windows 8 operating system, while the ARM variant will run Windows RT, a slimmed-down OS.

Microsoft said Surface is designed for both work and play, and it will be hoping that the device will make a big dent in Apple's iPad sales, at least among business users if not consumers.

However, Jan Dawson, chief telecoms analyst at Ovum, believes that Surface fails to blend the mobile and desktops worlds together, and may confuse the marketplace.

"[Surface] doesn't yet live up to the promise of encompassing all the benefits of the tablet-optimised environment and the classic desktop approach and apps.

"In theory, it delivers all the benefits of both the tablet-optimised environment and the classic desktop approach and apps, but in reality the versions available to try at the moment are a horrible mishmash of the two worlds that is likely to be confusing for the consumer."

He added that Microsoft risks upsetting its partners by releasing its own tablet, just as its traditional hardware partners such as Dell are developing their own designed to run Windows 8.

"On the hardware front, what does it say about the tablets Microsoft is seeing from its OEM partners as it gets ready to launch Windows 8, that they felt they needed to launch their own tablet? Either they are not happy with the devices out there, or they are not satisfied with only taking a licence fee from selling Windows-based tablets. Either way, it is a huge vote of no confidence in its OEM partners, who should rightly feel slighted.

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Microsoft enters tablet fray with its Surface device

Software giant makes its first computer, a device it hopes will oust Apple's iPad from offices around the world

"It is rarely a good idea for an OS owner to start competing with its OEM partners, and this does not feel like an exception."

However, Dawson said that Surface is likely to see some enterprise penetration, mostly because as a Windows device, it will be seen as safe and familiar to end users.

"Windows does have a huge installed base, and to the extent that IT managers see this device in one of its versions as a replacement for the Windows computer it should see some decent desktop adoption. But whether it sees much consumer interest will depend entirely on price and whether Microsoft is able to fix the poor UI experience in Windows 8 and RT."

Richard Holway, chairman at analyst firm TechMarketView, added that Microsoft Office compatibility would guarantee at least some sales to enterprise customers.

"A Microsoft tablet with fully integrated Office capabilities (as in the ARM version of the Surface) and some of those useful slots (like USB) does have real appeal. An appeal that will doubtless be replicated in many enterprises."

Microsoft has yet to reveal pricing information, but did announce the technical specifications.

The ARM version will be 9.3mm thick, weigh 676g and offer either 32GB or 64GB of memory. Its Intel chipset counterpart will be 13.5mm thick, weigh 903g and offer up to 128GB of memory.

Both versions will feature an 10.6in HD display, and come with a case that will offer either a full or a touch keyboard.