Microsoft Surface Tablet Announced For Windows 8

Two editions of Microsoft Surface tablet were announce yesterday: the Surface for Windows RT and Surface for Windows 8 Pro.

Here is the breakdown (No prices or release dates announced yet):

Surface for Windows RT Tablet

• Processor: NVIDIA-made ARM chip
• Weight: 676 grams
• Thickness: 9.3 millimeters
• I/O: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae
• Display: 10.6-inch ClearType HD capactive touchpanel
• Battery: 31.5Wh
• Software: Windows RT + Office Home & Student 2013 RT
• Accessories: Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand
• Capacity: 32GB / 64GB
• Availability: Somewhere on either side of the Windows 8 launch (Fall 2012)
• Pricing: TBD

Surface for Windows 8 Pro tablet

• Processor: Intel Core i5 (Ivy Bridge)
• Weight: 903 grams
• Thickness: 13.5 millimeters
• I/O: microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, 2×2 MIMO antennae
• Display: 10.6-inch ClearType Full HD (1080p) capactive touchpanel
• Battery: 42Wh
• Software: Windows 8 Pro
• Accessories: Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand, Pen with Palm Block
• Capacity: 64GB / 128GB
• Availability: Three months after the Windows 8 launch this Fall?
• Pricing: TBD

During yesterday’s announcement there were two vital pieces of information that Microsoft refused to provide to the public – pricing and a release date. Also omitting battery life, processor speeds, amount of RAM and does any of the models come with 3G/4G. How are we to gauge a comparison against the iPad or MacBook Air?