Formally, the tablet Surface differ little from most competing products, except for the operating system and keyboard . However, according to statements made by Bill Gates, , Microsoft tablets are sufficiently unique products.
The founder of Microsoft says that Surface - a new form factor, which he calls exhilarating. The device combines the advantages of a tablet and a traditional PC. Gates has long nurtured the idea of a tablet, but Steve Jobs has in practice been able to get ahead. The most interesting statement by Gates, is that Apple highly likely could create a device resembling to Surface.
Note, the idea of combining in one device the laptop and tablet was repeatedly criticized not only by Tim Cook , but also by Steve Jobs.