Microsoft has finally revealed what we have been speculating for a while, a tablet that the company calls Surface. The company’s President Steve Ballmer, showed off two Windows tablets and accessories that are built around the Windows OS, in an event in Hollywood, CA.

The first model of the Surface will be running an ARM processor featuring Windows RT, and the second one will feature third-generation Intel Core processor featuring Windows 8 Pro. The casing of Surface is created using VaporMg (pronounced Vapor-Mag), a combination of material selection and process to mold metal and deposit particles that creates a finish similar to a luxury watch. Starting with magnesium, parts can be molded as thin as .65 mm, thinner than the typical credit card. The tablet will feature a built in kickstand, a front and rear facing video camera along with a Touch Cover. The Touch Cover is 3 mm thick , and clicks on the Surface by a built-in magnet, and once on, it can be used as a keyboard, using a pressure-sensitive technology. The company claims that using the touch cover will “enabling you to touch type significantly faster than with an on-screen keyboard.” A 5 mm-thin Type Cover that adds moving keys for a more traditional typing feel can be purchased.

Additional Facts:

Surface for Windows RT

  • OS: Windows RT
  • Light(1): 676 g
  • Thin(2): 9.3 mm
  • Clear: 10.6” ClearType HD Display
  • Energized: 31.5 W-h
  • Connected: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae
  • Productive: Office ‘15’ Apps, Touch Cover, Type Cover
  • Practical: VaporMg Case & Stand
  • Configurable: 32 GB, 64 GB

Surface for Windows 8 Pro

  • OS: Windows 8 Pro
  •  Light(1): 903 g
  •  Thin(2): 13.5 mm
  •  Clear: 10.6” ClearType Full HD Display
  •  Energized: 42 W-h
  •  Connected: microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae
  •  Productive: Touch Cover, Type Cover, Pen with Palm Block
  •  Practical: VaporMg Case & Stand
  •  Configurable: 64 GB, 128 GB

Pricing and when the tablet will be available was not announced, but the company stated that Surface “ is expected to be competitive with a comparable ARM tablet or Intel Ultrabook-class PC.” Surface for Windows RT will be released first and the Windows 8 Pro model will be available about 90 days later.