Rumours pointing to a second generation range of Microsoft Surface tablets have been starting to mount up recently, and so of course the logical response from Microsoft has been to confirm them by sending out invites to a special Surface event.
Whether Microsoft used the day before Apple’s event as an attempt to steal some limelight or not, the invites went out to tech press, highlighting a Surface event in New York City on September 23rd. Unlike its main rival however, Microsoft isn’t being coy and using pretty pictures and tantalising taglines; the invite text is written on the screen of a Surface tablet and the Surface branding is right there – no prizes for guessing what the event is going to be about.
We’re expecting to see both Surface tablets overhauled with second generation models of both unveiled at the event. The new Surface RT will simply be called the Surface 2 and will feature Nvidia’s super-fast quad-core Tegra 4 processor, 4GB of RAM and a Full HD 1080p display, according to Neowin.
The design will remain much the same, although Microsoft has reportedly improved the kickstand to be more manoeuvrable and sturdy with a two-stage construction. We’re also told that a new white model will join the original black one and there will also be new keyboard docks and covers to boot.
Following the September 23rd event the new tablets should launch in stores late October, running Windows 8.1 out of the box. The new 8.1 software will also launch in October as a free update for those running Windows 8 already on laptops, desktops and other devices.