Microsoft"s new Surface tablets come in 32 GB and 64 GB versions. But just how much of that storage space is actually available by its owners for their own use? Microsoft has now answered that question with a new FAQ page on the official Surface website.
The FAQ page has Microsoft admitting that "Some of the Surface disk space is used by built-in apps and by the Windows features that can help you protect and recover the stuff you store on your Surface." Overall the 32 GB version of the Surface has about 16 GB available for its users after those apps are taken into consideration. The 64 GB version has 46 GB of free storage space.
Microsoft says that both versions of the Surface have 5 GB of storage space tied up with "Windows recovery tools" and another 8 GB for "Windows RT, Microsoft Office, and built-in apps."
Of course, unlike certain other tablets on the market, the Surface has multiple options in terms of adding storage space. It has a MicroSD card slot that allows for memory cards up to 64 GB. The full USB 2.0 port allows for even more storage space via Flash drives and portable hard drives. Microsoft also counts its SkyDrive cloud service as an additional storage option for the tablet.
Source: Surface website