With the historic but risky Surface Tablets, Microsoft now has its own iPad. But is Microsoft cut out to be like Apple? A mysterious product announcement, secret invites to the media, days of speculation. Must be Apple, right? No, this time it was Microsoft. That’s right, the slow pokes from Redmond just surprised us (kind of) by announcing Surface, a Microsoft-branded Windows tablet with a 10.6-inch screen designed to work as both tablet and PC. It will come in a version running Windows RT as well as a business-oriented version running Windows 8 Pro. Taking a page out of the Apple playbook, Microsoft led an enquiring technorati down the rabbit hole to announce on Monday what most had been speculating: A Microsoft-branded tablet. From the secrecy surrounding the announcement to the device itself, the Surface is a break with tradition. Microsoft has never manufactured a device that runs the Windows client OS; its success has come through developing software that runs on hardware from partners like Dell, Hewlett-Packard and Lenovo. But with Surface, Microsoft has its own iPad. The Surface device has a built-in kickstand on the back of the tablet to prop it up. A Touch Cover has the dual purpose of protecting the screen and also serving as a fully functional keyboard with a built-in trackpad when opened up. In Pictures: Microsoft Surface: ‘ A PC, a Tablet and New’ Based on first looks, the Surface is an audacious move for Microsoft. It will be entering a competitive market alone and will risk alienating hardware partners — which, let’s face it, could become a big problem. If Surface does catch on, won’t OEM devices become more undesirable? Clearly, Microsoft thinks it can knock the iPad off the hill by itself. Android-based tablets have hardly made a dent in the iPad’s dominance and Microsoft deserves a shot at the title. It could not beat Apple at its own game with MP3 players (Zune anyone?), but Microsoft is giving it another go with Surface, this time with more planning, determination and a much bigger base of established users. No availability or pricing was announced, but Microsoft did say in a release that “suggested retail pricing will be announced closer to availability and is expected to be competitive with a comparable ARM tablet or Intel Ultrabook-class PC.” In other words, don’t expect the Surface to, um, surface until the fall when Windows 8 is scheduled to launch. Here’s a quick list of specs for the new Microsoft Surface tablets. Windows RT Version Specs 1.5 lbs 0.37 inch thick 10.6-inch ClearType HD Display 31.5 hours of battery life CPU — Nvidia Tegra 3 microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae Office Home and Student 2013 RT, Touch Cover, Type Cover VaporMg Case and Stand Configurable for 32GB, 64GB Windows 8 Pro Specs 2 lbs 0.53 inch thick 10.6-inch ClearType Full HD Display 42 hours of battery life CPU — Intel Core i5 microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae Touch Cover, Type Cover, Pen with Palm Block VaporMg Case and Stand Configurable for 64GB, 128GB Related content opinion Last Words Before Closing Eye on Microsoft By Shane O'Neill Jun 05, 2013 3 mins Small and Medium Business Tablets Windows opinion With Rumored Reorg, Microsoft Tries to Simplify The mounting pressure on Steve Ballmer to streamline Microsoft is finally leading to some action. By Shane O'Neill Jun 03, 2013 3 mins IT Strategy Cloud Computing Computers and Peripherals opinion What You Need to Know About the New Lync and Skype Integration Audio calls and instant messaging are officially integrated between Lync and Skype, but no video connectivity yet. Here are some key points for users and IT admins about the new Lync-Skype connection. By Shane O'Neill May 29, 2013 3 mins Small and Medium Business Internet VoIP opinion Microsoft Should Leave the Competition Out of Ads Microsoft is in no position to disparage Google and Apple in TV ads, yet it keeps doing it. A new ad for Microsoft Surface turns inward and gets it right. By Shane O'Neill May 23, 2013 2 mins Small and Medium Business Tablets Internet Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe