Surface comes pre-loaded with full (not trial) versions of high quality Microsoft productivity apps Word, Excel and Powerpoint, so the basics of productivity are covered.

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Surface also comes pre-loaded with SkyDrive, allowing you to store up to 7GB of content in the cloud for free.

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In addition to pricing and market availability, the company announced a special limited-quantity pre-order for Surface with Windows RT available 9 a.m.

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While Microsoft opened up its online store earlier this week to pre-orders for its upcoming new Surface tablet, customers are now looking a three week (or more) shipping delay.

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If it was pre-recorded or actually live will be something that will surface only later.

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Sometimes, the touchpad provides direct access to radio pre-sets, with preset numbers lighting up and showing through its translucent surface.

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"Pre-existing problems that people are able to sort of ignore and work around come to the surface and have to be dealt with, " Cannata said.

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