Microsoft Surface Release Date Confirmed

twoheadedboy writes "Microsoft is going to release its Surface tablet on the same day Windows 8 goes on general availability, Oct. 26. The news was disclosed in a filing made with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which also revealed that the company expects launch and the accompanying marketing to harm its profits. We'll soon find out whether Microsoft has what it takes to take on the seemingly indomitable iPad."

Comments

History (was Re:Isn't there a "late to the game..)

[WillAdams]

No, Microsoft has been flogging the pen computer game for a _long_ while:

1992 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_for_Pen_Computing

while Apple only formally got in the game later:

1993 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MessagePad

(and then bailed when Steve Jobs came back on board)

Though both were inspired by Go Corp.'s PenPoint:

1991 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PenPoint_OS

but one should look farther back still:

1914--1990 http://users.erols.com/rwservices/pens/penhist.html

Microsoft crashed the initial party (read Jerry Kaplan's _StartUp_), partied in a room which quickly emptied, tried to re-start the party many times (sort-of-successfully w/ their Tablet PC in 2002), then was surprised when Apple started a rave (the iPad) somewhere else in town.

If it's possible to install Mac OS X on the Surface, I may buy one.

William

Re:Apple must be trembling with fear

[Anonymous Coward]

Apple was never in that shape. They had billions in the bank. The issue was MS continuing Office support

“We were 90 days from going bankrupt.” - Steve Jobs.

More details. and from a Mac fan site perspective

So basically, yes, they were in that shape, no, they did not have billions in the bank.