It's intended for tablets and lightweight tablet-laptop hybrids. On the operating system side, there's potential for confusion, because there's one version of Windows 8, called 'Windows RT,' which looks like the PC version but doesn’t run regular Windows programs. It has a unique combination cover-keyboard and comes with 64 gigbytes of storage. The Surface is Microsoft's own entry into the suddenly burgeoning tablet market. It has a 10.6-inch screen, versus 9.7 inches for the iPad and 7.9 inches for the new iPad mini introduced earlier this week.

Technology writer Peter Nowak is live-blogging for CBCNews.ca from the Microsoft event today, both at the morning Windows 8 event and the afternoon presentation of Microsoft's new tablet, the Surface. But since the start button is gone, users will have to flip back and forth between the desktop and the tile screen. The familiar Windows desktop is still available through one of the tiles, and most programs will open in that environment. 'In the case of Windows 8, seeing, touching, clicking - and swiping - is really believing.' 'Most importantly for today, Windows 8 does bring together the best of the worlds - PC, tablet, work and play,' chief executive Steve Ballmer told his New York audience.

Windows 8 touch screen desktops