Microsoft unleashes Windows 8, Surface

Microsoft today officially launched its highly-anticpated new Windows 8 operating system and Surface tablet at an event in the US.

"We've reimagined Windows and we've reimagined the whole PC industry," Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said.

Windows 8 devices and the company's new Surface tablet, which aims to challenge Apple's popular iPad head on, went on sale at midnight. An Australian launch is planned for Sydney this morning - stay tuned for full coverage from CRN.

Steven Sinofsky, head of Microsoft's Windows unit and the driving force behind Windows 8, opened the launch event in New York in front about 1000 media and PC industry partners.

He showed off Windows 8's new touch-optimised design, but emphasised that the system was built upon the base of Windows 7, Microsoft's best-selling software that recently passed 670 million license sales.

While Windows 7 was introduced three years ago, Windows 8 represents the biggest change in Microsoft's user interface since Windows 95 came out 17 years ago.

Microsoft is offering several versions of Windows 8. The basic Windows 8, the full Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise for large organizations will all run on the traditional PCs, laptops and new tablets using Intel chips.

Through the end of January, users running Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 can download an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $US40.

For the first time, Microsoft has also created a version called Windows RT which will be pre-installed on its Surface tablet and other devices using low-power chips designed by ARM Holdings

Early reviews of the Surface tablet, which starts at $US499, have been mixed, with praise for its slick hardware, but concerns about battery life and limited software and applications available.

Microsoft has not said how many apps Windows 8 will have at launch, but it is expected to be a fraction of the 275,000 available to iPad users.