Surface (2012 tablet)
The first-generation Surface (launched as Surface with Windows RT, later marketed as Surface RT) is a hybrid tablet computer developed and manufactured by Microsoft. Announced in June 2012, it was released in October 2012, and was the first personal computer designed in-house by Microsoft.
The original Surface RT with Touch Cover attached | |
| Developer | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Product family | Microsoft Surface |
| Type | Hybrid tablet |
| Release date | October 26, 2012 |
| Discontinued | July 18, 2013 |
| Operating system | Windows RT 8 Upgradable to Windows RT 8.1 |
| System on a chip | Nvidia Tegra 3 |
| Memory | 2 GB |
| Storage | 32/64 GB microSDXC card slot |
| Sound | Stereo speakers |
| Input | Two 720p HD LifeCams, front and rear facing Two Microphones, headset jack, Ambient Light Accelerometers Gyroscope Compass |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n) Bluetooth 4.0 USB 2.0 HD video out (micro-HDMI) |
| Power | Built-in rechargeable Li-Po 31.5 Wh 24 W power supply |
| Online services | Windows Store, OneDrive, Outlook.com, Microsoft Account, Xbox Music, Xbox Live |
| Dimensions | 10.81 inches (27.5 cm) (width) 6.77 inches (17.2 cm) (height) 0.37 inches (9.4 mm) (depth) |
| Mass | 1.5 pounds (680 g) |
| Successor | Surface 2 |
| Microsoft Surface models |
|---|
Positioned as a competitor to Apple's iPad line, Surface included several distinctive features, including a folding kickstand which allowed the tablet to stand at an angle, and the availability of optional attachable protective covers incorporating a keyboard. Surface served as the launch device for Windows RT, a limited version of Windows 8 designed for devices based on ARM architecture, with the ability to run only Metro-style Windows applications developed for it and distributed through the Windows Store.
Surface was met with mixed reviews. Although praised for its hardware design, accessories, and aspects of its operating system, criticism was directed towards the performance of the device, as well as the limitations of the Windows RT operating system and its application ecosystem. Sales of the Surface were poor, with Microsoft cutting its price worldwide and taking a US$990 million loss in July 2013 as a result. It was succeeded by the Surface 2 in 2013, with the newer Windows RT 8.1, which was also made available for the original Surface. Support for the OS ended on January 10, 2023.