On June 18^th, 2012 at a press conference in L.A., Microsoft revealed the creation of a new product called the Microsoft Surface Tablet. An anticipated product for Microsoft fans, the Microsoft Surface has features that are expected from a current generation tablet, such as an HD touch screen, a thin and light form-factor, front and rear facing cameras, and the like. What sets the Microsoft Surface apart from other tablets though is the way all of these features come together.

The Operating Systems: Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro

For those that want just a simple tablet experience, a cheaper version of the Surface will be available with Windows RT. Windows RT is a pared down version of Windows 8 that doesn’t have an actual desktop. this means that it only runs the Metro interface (Microsoft introduced Metro with Windows Phone 7, and then integrated it into the XBox 360), and will only be able to run metro apps (which, by the way, includes Microsoft Office). The Windows 8 Pro version of the Microsoft Surface, however, has the full-fledged Windows 8 operating system on it, allowing you to run any program that can be run on a Windows 8 computer. One of the awesome features of Windows 8 Pro, however, is the ability to still run the Metro interface by default, allowing you to enjoy the symplicity of a tablet when you don’t need the full desktop experience.

The Keyboard and Kickstand

Two of the great features of the up and coming Microsoft Surface are the included 3 mm cover that folds down into a keyboard with a built in track pad, and the kickstand built into the back of the device. Combine these with the Surface running the Windows 8 Pro operating system, and you’ve got a fully functional laptop in the form of a current generation table.

While you can get covers with built-in keyboards for other tablets out there, the Microsoft Surface keyboard covers are slim and stylish, not adding very little width to the device. The keyboard will come in 5 different colors, as well as two different forms: The Type Cover and the Touch Cover. The Touch Cover will be very thin with flat keys that respond to light touch, and the Type Cover will be a little thicker while sporting mechanical keys for those that still prefer to pound on a keyboard.

The USB Port

Both the Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro Surface Tablets will include a USB port, with the RT version getting USB 2.0 and the Pro version getting USB 3.0. While there will be plenty of good uses for the USB port on the Windows RT Surface Tablet, this feature will really shine on the Windows 8 Pro Tablet. The possibilities will be nearly endless, whether you want to hook up an external Blu Ray drive, a photo printer, or any other USB connected devices that are compatible with Windows 8 Pro. Again, the theme here is the power of a laptop coupled with the simplicity and ease-of-use of a tablet.

Price Range and Release Date

While there isn’t an advertised price at this point in time, there is plenty of speculation that the price point will be around that of the iPad. There is no release date currently, but the Microsoft Surface Tablet is expected to be released sometime before the end of the year.

What do you think about the Microsoft Surface? Are you interested in a Microsoft Surface or will you be sticking with your iPad or Android tablet? Let us know. We want to hear from you!