Earlier this week the monster company Microsoft announced that there will be certain third party stores around the world would be selling the Microsoft Surface tablet before Christmas. A couple of US and Australian chain stores that would stock the Surface "as soon as mid-December" but we guessed that UK would be included in the following catchall statement: "additional availability will be added in a number of countries in the coming months." However, we have received information from one of our staff at John Lewis that the Microsoft Surface is now available in John Lewis stores.

Two year guarantee at no extra cost!

John Lewis informed Pocket Lint that:

"Always first with the latest technology, John Lewis is delighted to announce that it will be the first high street retailer in the UK to offer the Microsoft Surface from the 14 December 2012 and with a two-year guarantee included at no extra cost."

The company said that the Surface will be available online today and starting from Saturday you will be able to buy one in store. This weekend will be the first opportunity for any UK residents to see the Microsoft Surface in person.

John Lewis will be offering two Microsoft Surface packages. You will be able to choose from either the Microsoft Surface 32GB with Black Touch Keyboard at £479 or the Microsoft Surface 64GB with Black Touch Keyboard at £559, both with the amazing two-year guarantee. You can also get the Microsoft Keyboard alone for £100.

John Lewis· Keyboard· Microsoft· Microsoft Surface· Retail Stores· Windows 8

Microsoft Surface available at John Lewis Starting From Today!

Earlier this week the monster company Microsoft announced that there will be certain third party stores around the world would be selling the Microsoft Surface tablet before Christmas. A couple of US and Australian chain stores that would stock the Surface "as soon as mid-December" but we guessed that UK would be included in the following catchall statement: "additional availability will be added in a number of countries in the coming months." However, we have received information from one of our staff at John Lewis that the Microsoft Surface is now available in John Lewis stores.

Two year guarantee at no extra cost!

John Lewis informed Pocket Lint that:

"Always first with the latest technology, John Lewis is delighted to announce that it will be the first high street retailer in the UK to offer the Microsoft Surface from the 14 December 2012 and with a two-year guarantee included at no extra cost."

The company said that the Surface will be available online today and starting from Saturday you will be able to buy one in store. This weekend will be the first opportunity for any UK residents to see the Microsoft Surface in person.

John Lewis will be offering two Microsoft Surface packages. You will be able to choose from either the Microsoft Surface 32GB with Black Touch Keyboard at £479 or the Microsoft Surface 64GB with Black Touch Keyboard at £559, both with the amazing two-year guarantee. You can also get the Microsoft Keyboard alone for £100.

Microsoft has unveiled a major tablet initiative to compete with Apple's iPad, Google's Android, and its own PC hardware partners. 

The Microsoft Surface is 10.6 inches and powered by Windows 8. Microsoft Surface is coming in two distinct versions, both equipped with touch screens. One will be powered by an ARM processor and will be more like a traditional tablet running Windows RT. The other one will be powered by Intel's 2nm Ivy Bridge chips running the desktop version of Windows 8. 

Reported by The Verge:

"The Windows RT version is just 9.3mm thin, weighs 1.5lbs, includes a built-in kickstand and is the first PC with a vapor-deposited (PVD) magnesium case, according to Microsoft. It will ship in 32GB or 64GB versions.

Microsoft's Intel-based Surface tablet will run Windows 8 Pro, with a thickness of 13.5mm, a weight of 1.9lb, and USB 3.0 support. This particular version will also include magnesium casing and a built-in kickstand, but will ship with either 64GB or 128GB storage. The Intel version will include additional digital ink support through a pen that magnetizes to the body of the tablet."

Microsoft will sell two Smart Cover-like devices that attach magnetically to the Surface. Unlike Apple's Smart Cover, Microsoft's Touch Cover and Type Cover turn into a full-sized keyboard complete with a built-in trackpad. Microsoft says that using the Touch Cover is "twice as efficient as typing on glass". A Striking blow at the iPad's on-screen keyboard. 

At the moment, Microsoft has not shared any information on the pricing or availability of the products. 

Microsoft· Microsoft Surface· Tablet

Microsoft Announces New 'Surface' Tablet, New Hardware and Software Based on Windows 8

Microsoft has unveiled a major tablet initiative to compete with Apple's iPad, Google's Android, and its own PC hardware partners. 

The Microsoft Surface is 10.6 inches and powered by Windows 8. Microsoft Surface is coming in two distinct versions, both equipped with touch screens. One will be powered by an ARM processor and will be more like a traditional tablet running Windows RT. The other one will be powered by Intel's 2nm Ivy Bridge chips running the desktop version of Windows 8. 

Reported by The Verge:

"The Windows RT version is just 9.3mm thin, weighs 1.5lbs, includes a built-in kickstand and is the first PC with a vapor-deposited (PVD) magnesium case, according to Microsoft. It will ship in 32GB or 64GB versions.

Microsoft's Intel-based Surface tablet will run Windows 8 Pro, with a thickness of 13.5mm, a weight of 1.9lb, and USB 3.0 support. This particular version will also include magnesium casing and a built-in kickstand, but will ship with either 64GB or 128GB storage. The Intel version will include additional digital ink support through a pen that magnetizes to the body of the tablet."

Microsoft will sell two Smart Cover-like devices that attach magnetically to the Surface. Unlike Apple's Smart Cover, Microsoft's Touch Cover and Type Cover turn into a full-sized keyboard complete with a built-in trackpad. Microsoft says that using the Touch Cover is "twice as efficient as typing on glass". A Striking blow at the iPad's on-screen keyboard. 

At the moment, Microsoft has not shared any information on the pricing or availability of the products.