Microsoft Surface Tablet Goes On Sale October 26

The Microsoft Surface tablet will go on sale October 26, a launch date that was revealed by an SEC filing which disclosed the company’s finalized Windows 8 operating system launch date.

In its 10-K filing Microsoft told the SEC:

“The next version of our operating system, Windows 8, will be generally available on October 26, 2012. At that time, we will begin selling the Surface, a series of Microsoft-designed and manufactured hardware devices.”

When Microsoft unveiled the Surface tablet earlier this year the company did not give any indication for the devices release date and Microsoft has yet to reveal pricing details for the devices.

The Microsoft Surface tablet poses a serious wager for Microsoft, marking the first time the company has stepped into the OEM arena with the development of Microsoft-branded computer devices. Microsoft created the Surface tablet under extreme secrecy.

In its SEC filings Microsoft wrote of its upcoming OS and OEM plans:

“In fall 2012, we are launching Windows 8…Its success depends on a number of factors including the extent to which customers embrace its new user interface and functionality, successfully coordinating with our OEM partners in releasing a variety of hardware devices that take advantage of its features, and attracting developers at scale to ensure a competitive array of quality applications. We expect to incur substantial marketing costs in launching Window 8 and associated services and devices, which may reduce our operating margins.”

Microsoft in June unveiled the 10.6-inch Surface tablet which will first surface in the form of a Windows RT model with an ARM processor followed by an Intel chip based Surface Windows 8 Pro Tablet three months later.

The technology firm at the time of the tablets unveiling said it would be comparably priced to other tablets with similar specs.