Hands On: Windows RT Surface

Microsoft just got done unveiling its best kept secret in years and we got a few minutes with the device and came away modestly impressed.

We got to play with the RT version of the tablet and it feels like it was carved from a rock. All around, it was sturdy, showed little flex in the casing, and was simply a rock solid piece of hardware.

A nice little touch is that if you attach a blue Touch Cover to the device, it will change the theme to match the cover. Additionally, the kickstand was magnificent and did not feel flimsy by any means.

Microsoft also went all out by dropping a little bit of water on to the tablet. As you might expect, the water balled up and rolled right off. Microsoft said that it will handle grubby fingers with ease and apparently even tested it with ketchup and mustard.

The touch cover felt good in the hands and typing was a good experience in general, firm, responsive keys mended nicely to your fingertips.

To be blunt, we have never felt a tablet as sturdy as this one and that includes the iPad. It is quite a masculine tablet with its chiseled edges and gunmetal covering and we walked away impressed, ready to buy.

Our time with the tablet was quite brief and we should note that until we get time to spend a few days with the device, we can't give it a proper review.