On Monday 18 June, Microsoft officially entered the touch tablet race, still dominated by Apple and the iPad. "Surface" is the name of the potential challenger, which will be able to capitalise on the integration of peripherals sold separately in the case of the iPad. Professionals will appreciate the touch-sensitive keyboard with TouchPad protecting the screen as a flap. The same logic applies to the stand, which is integrated directly into Surface to make it easier to use. On the technical side, the new tablet weighs 676 grams and is 9.3 millimetres thick, with a 26.9-centimetre screen. While we still don't know the release date, the tablet's reception is likely to depend on the success - or otherwise - of Windows 8, while the supposed absence of 3G and the mystery surrounding its launch price are still unknown.
