Microsoft launches Surface – coffee table-style computing

Radical design isn’t something you would usually associate with Microsoft, but its new Surface computer is guaranteed to turn a few heads – and raise a few smiles.

Yes, this is computing through a steel and acrylic coffee table, using a large touch screen surface (around 30 inches). That means no keyboard or mouse – you simply ‘Grab’ what you want using touch and gesture. Or you can ‘Multi-touch’ to if several people are hovering around the Surface.

It’s all powered by Vista with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity, along with a rather nifty way of transferring content to a mobile device – simply place your device on the table and drag your media onto your phone, camera or media player.

Initially it will be aimed at businesses and leisure outlets, with a price tag of between £2,500 and £5,000. The future of computing or Microsoft’s latest folly? Let us know what you think.

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