Microsoft Tablet takes on Ipad

A little late to the party maybe but Microsoft has unveiled another tablet contender, to attempt to knock Apple's Ipad range off of it's lofty perch, with the Surface.

Windows 8 will be released later this year, all singing all dancing no doubt and this is the operating system that will power the Surface and will run the familar Office programmes used universally to give a near PC experience in tablet format.

Other tablet manufacturers that have also planned to jump aboard the updated Windows 8 o/s, will be a little dismayed to have another competitor and one with bottomless pockets, join the tablet affray still dominated by Apple.

Early signs are that Microsoft will be looking at the higher end of the market and will price accordingly, with Windows familiarity being a strong selling point that may lure Apple users away from the Ipad.

Tablets powered by Android and other weirdly named operating systems, will find the environment even tougher than it has been so far and may need to compete on cost and look at the lower end, just to survive.