Microsoft offers peek at new Windows, tablet

SHANGHAI —U.S. computing giant Microsoft gave an early peek to the key Chinese market of its new tablet computer and Windows 8 software, promising a fast and fluid operating system.

Microsoft will launch Windows 8 and the Surface tablet computer, designed to compete with Apple’s popular iPad. The launch of the two products in China is the same day.

Windows remains the dominant platform for personal computers, but it has lost ground to Apple and Google in newer devices which use rival operating systems.

Windows 8 seamlessly moves between a world of touch-only tablets to laptops that have touch screens to desktops and to portable computers without touch screens. Microsoft’s new tablet computer was designed to be a platform for Windows, as compared the challenger to Apple’s iPad, it’s bigger than an iPad, it’s actually lighter in your hand because of the way the physics of the design work.

The Surface has a full-sized USB port unlike the iPad, a built-in stand and a cover which doubles as a keyboard. The tablet runs the new Windows RT, a form of Windows 8, and comes with Microsoft Office 2013.
Microsoft hoped to add a billion new customers with Windows 8, which aims to replace earlier versions of its dominant operating system. It’s (Windows) used by over a billion people around the world and with Widows 8 we’re aiming towards the next billion.