Microsoft's Tablet To Land In Stores On 26th October

Another release date for a new Microsoft product has been confirmed and those eager to get their hands on Microsoft's inaugural tablet can do so from 26th October.

This happens to be the date when the new Windows operating system goes on general release. It was widely assumed that Surface, as Microsoft's tablet is called, would hit stores alongside Windows 8 but when the company confirmed the availability date for its new OS, it failed to do the same for the Surface. Now there is no more room for speculation. Microsoft had the date put down in its annual report, which was submitted last week to the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The software giant said that it would start selling Surface at the same time as Windows 8, which is 26th October.

However, this debut date does not apply to the Surface model that will be powered by Windows 8 Professional - that will land in stores three months later. Pricing details for both are yet to be released.

Both devices are equipped with 10.6-inch (26.9cm) HD screens, have built-in kickstands and feature detachable covers that double as keyboards. The version coming out this autumn runs on an ARM processor and utilises the Windows RT OS. It is 9.3mm thick, weighs 676g and offers the choice of 32GB or 64GB of internal storage. The model powered by Windows 8 Professional has an Intel processor and buyers will be able to choose between 64GB and 128GB of storage space. This device is 13.5mm thick and weighs 903g.