Updated: July 9, 2020 (June 25, 2012)

  Analyst Report

New PC Surfaces for Windows RT and Windows 8

My Atlas / Analyst Reports

1,210 wordsTime to read: 7 min
Michael Cherry by
Michael Cherry

Michael analyzed and wrote about Microsoft's operating systems, including the Windows client OS, as well as compliance and governance. Michael... more

To provide the best possible “stage” for the latest Windows client OS, Microsoft has designed and will sell a Microsoft-branded family of PCs. The touch-enabled computers will assume the Surface brand, which formerly described a large multitouch-enabled table-sized computer used for custom commercial applications. The new devices will allow Microsoft to control the end-to-end customer experience and allow customers to purchase computers with Microsoft being the primary supporter for both hardware and software. However, many technical details, such as battery life, are still unannounced, as are specifics about pricing, licensing, and impact on the OEM channel.

The Surface Family

The new Surface family consists of two computer models and two combination cover/keyboards. The computers are as follows:

  • Surface for Windows RT (Surface RT), a system on a chip (SoC) based on the ARM architecture, that is touch-enabled, runs the planned Windows RT OS and will include Office Home and Student 2013

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