CNET/ June 22, 2012, 8:56 AM

Microsoft's Surface tablet said to come with only Wi-Fi

This product rendering released by Microsoft shows Surface, a 9.3 millimeter thick tablet with a kickstand to hold it upright and keyboard that is part of the device's cover. It weighs under 1.5 pounds.

/ AP Photo/Microsoft

(CNET) Microsoft's much talked about Surface tablet may be Wi-Fi only, according to Bloomberg.

The news agency reports that people familiar with the tablet's specs say the device will go on sale without any mobile-phone network connection, but will come with a short-range Wi-Fi connection. This could change in later models.

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Surface will be running Microsoft's next-generation Windows operating system and marks the company's first foray into the ever-expanding tablet market. Though the software giant has unveiled Surface, it has yet to release all the details on the specifications.

Apparently, the tablet is thought to be a direct competitor to Apple's iPad. Network accessibility could hinder this goal, however. The new iPad, which went on sale in March, comes equipped with LTE and has the option of a mobile-phone chip, according to Bloomberg. Users can also buy the iPad's Wi-Fi-only model if they prefer.

According to Bloomberg, Microsoft plans to start selling the Surface later this year and will be working with Apple's iPhone-maker, Pegatron, to manufacture the tablet.

Microsoft did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment.

This article originally appeared at CNET.

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Dara Kerr, a freelance journalist based in the Bay Area, is fascinated by robots, supercomputers and Internet memes. When not writing about technology and modernity, she likes to travel to far-off countries.

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7 Comments Add a Comment

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Sotos_Photos says:: Huge miss without carrier support. Businesses will shy away from the Surface and the iPad will continue to dominate.; reply

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avalon288 says:: People are making mountains out of mole hills. Last survey I saw concluded that around 50% of iPads NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE. Why would anyone need a cellular connection. Besides, with everybody and their grandmother buying smartphones, many of which are capable of hot spot, who needs another device with cellular?

Sheesh, this anti-Microsoft stories are getting old.; reply

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RannXeroxx says:: There seems to be a lot of negativity surrounding the Surface's announcement, much of it unsubstantiated and others just boarding on ignorant. I have Apple, Android, and Windows products and all have their place and I think the Surface will be a success if the delivered product is solid.; reply

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Mikieboy2012 says:: Doesn't matter. It has USB ports, just plug-n-go.; reply

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Mikey0001 says:

Get over it folks. People have been saying that the Surface may replace the Mac Air or an Ultrabook. Do these have 3G or 4G connection...i think not. You can always find a wifi connection somewhere. Just go to a McDonalds or Starbucks. At home? At work? You can always tether to your smart phone. Or maybe get yourself a mobile hotspot. Maybe your smart phone is already a hotspot. The "I want it all, I want it now" mentality is getting old. Or maybe you should just wait till they can implant an Ivy Bridge processor, 8GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, 1080P 3D playback, Beats Audio, WiFi, 4G with Kinect interface into your Cerebral Cortex.


Bojax39 replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; by Mikey0001: "Or maybe you should just wait till they can implant an Ivy Bridge processor, 8GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, 1080P 3D playback, Beats Audio, WiFi, 4G with Kinect interface into your Cerebral Cortex."

I know a few people dumb enough or spoiled enough to go for something like that.

Other problems occur as well. Like having your bladder let go in church because your cortex gets hacked by some merry prankster. Or mental spam. Or the stalker or bill collector who just will NOT stop calling and highjacking your head.

And wouldn't cerebral implant make hardware upgrades a b*tch? :-)

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monzon1014 says:: WiFi Rules, OK? Only 6% Of iPad Sessions Come From Cellular Networks; reply