In Pictures: The Best of Windows 8 Hardware (So Far)

At Computex 2012 earlier this month, Microsoft partners such as Acer and Asus showcased some buzz-inducing Windows 8 tablets, ultrabooks and hybrids. And then Microsoft itself dropped a bomb on the tech world by announcing its own branded tablet, The Surface. Here’s a look at the best Windows 8 (and Windows RT) hardware you can expect to get your hands on when the OS launches this fall.

Microsoft took matters into its own hands by announcing Surface, a Microsoft-branded tablet running Windows 8 Pro or Windows 8 RT. It is designed to go head to head with the Apple iPad and it does have features that the iPad lacks such as Microsoft Office applications, a built-in kickstand and a thin screen cover that doubles as a fully-functional keyboard when opened. Its screen is also 1-inch larger than the iPad. Time will tell if Windows 8 and the Metro UI catch on with consumers enough to compete with the mighty iPad.