Microsoft unveils Windows 8 and "Surface" tablet
Microsoft has launched its new Windows 8 operating system and "Surface" tablet. The move is seen as a bid to revive interest in its flagship product, and regain ground lost to Apple and Google in mobile computing.
The new software package is made to run on both personal computers and tablets. The fresh design dispenses with the start button and features square tiles for apps. Microsoft is counting on the new look and touch-friendly software to break its heavy reliance on PC sales, which are expected to dip for the first time in more than a decade.
The company’s new Surface tablet is set to challenge Apple’s popular iPad head on. The cheapest model is a 32 gigabyte version with a 27 centimeter display, starting at 499 dollars. It has an ultra thin cover that doubles as a keyboard. Early reviews have been mixed, with praise for its hardware and concerns about the limited software and applications available.
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Microsoft has launched its new Windows 8 operating system and "Surface" tablet.
The move is seen as a bid to revive interest in its flagship product, and regain ground lost to Apple and Google in mobile computing.
词汇点拨：
tablet 平板电脑
launch 推出，发射
revive 恢复
flagship n.旗舰, 最重要产品
package 包装
dispense vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施
challenge 挑战
gigabyte n.千兆字节
version 形式
application 应用
新闻资讯：微软CEO鲍尔默：和iPad对比Surface更具优势
微软首席执行官史蒂夫-鲍尔默（Steven Ballmer）在美国时间本周四推出了微软最新的平板电脑Surface，并声称Surface胜过其他平板电脑之处在于极大地提高了消费者工作和娱乐的体验。
就在苹果推出iPad mini两天之后，微软不甘示弱地为Windows 8和Surface在纽约召开了发布会。面对平板电脑市场众多的竞争者，鲍尔默认为和苹果、谷歌(微博)、亚马逊的平板电脑相比，微软的Surface更具优势。鲍尔默在接受CNBC的“Squawk Box”节目专访时表示在Surface之前还没有一款产品是消费者特别钟爱的。
鲍尔默认为，现在市面上的平板电脑没有一款能够完美地让用户在工作和娱乐方面得到完美的体验，而即将发售的Surface可以做到。不仅如此，Surface既能当平板电脑也可以当PC使用。虽然现在平板电脑市场的竞争越来越激烈，但是鲍尔默相信Windows 8和Surface会让微软成为这场竞争中的胜出者。
这是一次非常特别机会，因为我们的设计团队对Windows 8进行了全新的设计，这绝对是一款全完不一样的Windows系统，鲍尔默说道。
尽管微软的竞争对手已经做得非常不错了，但微软还是大胆地对平板电脑进行了全新的设计。Windows 8也有别于微软以往的操作软件升级，因为Windows 8拥有者一个更友好的触屏界面。
但是不知道消费者是否会被微软的这款全新的操作系统吸引。面对无法确定的市场反应，鲍尔默依然坚信Windows 8和Surface会给当今的PC市场注入新鲜血液，因为Windows 8是一款全新的、充满创造性和想象力的产品。 | 
发表于 2016-7-12 22:02:38