Surface

Throughout their history, Intel and the x86 architecture for which it is known have played a pivotal role in the platform war between Apple and Microsoft.

IBM's decision to use Intel chips for the original IBM PC led to Microsoft supporting that landmark computer, and Windows grew on the back of backward compatibility with DOS apps that ran on those chips. Years before Windows RT, which runs on ARM processors, Microsoft tried to move beyond Intel by supporting other processors with Windows NT, but those versions were discontinued.

Apple, meanwhile, couldn't take advantage of many apps that required … Read more

Microsoft will gather thousands of developers in San Francisco this week for its Build conference, with much of this year's event focused on generating excitement about updates to its Windows 8 operating system.

CNET will be there live on Wednesday, giving you the blow by blow of the opening keynote, with photos and running commentary as well. The keynote, which will offer a look at the Windows 8.1 update, starts at 9 a.m. PT at the Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco.

You can tune in here:

Microsoft and Qualcomm will work together on the next generation of Surface RT devices, a new report claims.

Microsoft will use Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor in some versions of its Surface RT tablets, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing people who claim to have knowledge of the companies' plans. Bloomberg's sources said that the Snapdragon processor will allow for improved performance and could mean 4G LTE support will be available in the Surface RT.

The Surface RT is currently running on Nvidia's Tegra processors. According to Bloomberg's sources, at least one version of the next-generation Surface RT will still … Read more

Microsoft is making a reduced-price version of its ARM-based Surface RT tablet/notebook available directly to schools and universities for two months this summer.

The "Microsoft Surface for education limited-time offer" will be available between June 24 and August 31, a spokesperson said Tuesday. Under the program, Surface RTs without keyboards will go for $199 (retail price is $499). With a touch keyboard, the discounted price is $249 (retail price is $599), and with a type keyboard the discounted price is $289 (retail price is $629).

The offer is available directly from Microsoft to K-12 and higher-education institutions. … Read more

Microsoft has cut a deal to open Windows stores within 500 Best Buy locations in the United States and 100 more Best Buy and Future Shop locations in Canada.

The store-within-a-store sites, which will be 1,500 square feet to 2,200 square feet, will offer a wide selection of Windows tablets and PCs, Windows Phones, Microsoft Office, and Xbox consoles. There will also be space set aside specifically for Microsoft's Surface tablet computers.

The deal, announced Thursday, also calls for more than 1,200 Best Buy sales staff to receive Microsoft training, in addition to the Microsoft specialists … Read more

Microsoft is trying to drum up sales of its Surface RT tablet by kicking in a free cover.

For a limited time starting May 31, Microsoft will throw in a free Touch Cover, Touch Cover Limited Edition, or Type Cover to folks in the U.S. and Canada who buy a Surface RT tablet. Adding a Touch Cover to the purchase normally brings the overall price up by $100, while the cover itself costs $119 separately. The Touch Cover Limited Edition and Type Cover each costs $129 on their own.

The Touch Cover is available in cyan, red, magenta, white, … Read more

A 256GB version of Microsoft's Surface Pro will be available to Japanese consumers, starting June 7.

Microsoft's Japanese Surface Web site already lists the tablet with the 256GB version selling for 119,800 yen ($1,171) and the 128GB version going for 99,800 yen ($975). The 256GB edition will make its debut in Japan, while the 64GB model apparently won't be sold in the country at all.

Both versions come with Windows 8 Pro and Office Home and Business 2013 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook). The Surface Pro tablet will also treat Japanese buyers to … Read more

U.K. consumers who pick up Microsoft's Surface RT tablet can get a free Touch or Type cover as part of the deal.

Buyers simply need to purchase the tablet through Microsoft's online store or through qualifying retailers, such as John Lewis, Currys, or PC World. The Touch cover normally sells separately in the U.K. for 99.99 pounds ($152), while the Type cover goes for 109.99 pounds ($167). Both prices include value-added tax.

The Surface RT tablet runs for 399 pounds ($608) for the 32GB version and 479 pounds ($729) for 64GB.

The deal exclusively … Read more

Microsoft is readying smaller Surface devices, according to a report.

The "second-generation" Surface tablets may be announced in the coming months, possibly at the upcoming Build Conference in June, according to a report in DigiTimes.

This follows a report last month in the Wall Street Journal that claimed the company is preparing a 7-inch tablet.

Second-generation Surface devices will sport displays with sizes between 7 inches and 9 inches, according to the report. Component suppliers include Samsung Electronics, LG Display, Corning, and Intel.

Microsoft needs to bring out tablets with smaller screen sizes in order to compete with … Read more