Core77
In a surprise move yesterday, Microsoft announced their forthcoming Surface tablet, intended to compete with the iPad. Microsoft has a mixed record with their physical products—the Kin cell phones were an abject failure, the Courier dual-screen tablets were shelved, and the Xbox was eventually a tremendous success—but there are some points of interest, from an industrial design standpoint, on the Surface.
First off, there's a kickstand incorporated into the body of the tablet itself, an interesting idea if it allows freedom of angle placement (no word on whether it does). Secondly, it will sport both a Micro SD slot and a USB port to make file transfers easy. Thirdly, the screen is about an inch larger than the iPad's, at 10.6 inches.
But by far the most interesting feature is the Surface's cover. They've borrowed Apple's magnetic connection, but turned the cover into a keyboard in itself, in two varieties: A superthin "Touch" version, presumably for casual use, and a slightly thicker "Type" version, presumably for heavier use.
The Surface will come in two versions, a thinner base version and a thicker model with heavier processing power. No word yet on when either will be released.
I’m a lapsed industrial designer. I was born in NYC and figured I’d die there, but a few years ago I abandoned New York to live on a farm in the countryside with my wife. We have six dogs.
Webinar
Create a Core77 Account
Already have an account? Sign In
By creating a Core77 account you confirm that you accept the Terms of Use
Please enter your email and we will send an email to reset your password.
With Forthcoming Surface, Microsoft to Join the Tablet Fray
This is kind of a funny line as though if it doesn't allow for angle placement than it's pointless. How many bulky ipad cases do people buy just to have a kickstand.
Also to the point of if the stand breaks makes the integrated stand a bad idea is kind of a strange observation. If my macbook pro's screen hinge breaks it would really be a bummer so I'll try not to break it, the difference hear is that breaking a kickstand doesn't render a tablet useless. That being said I hope that it is designed like what the comment from mosambro said above.
I can't wait to get my hands on one. If it works as advertised I would definitely get one over the iPad. Creation trumps consumption any day.