List of Microsoft tablet models announced Monday

Microsoft isn't finished improving the Surface tablet. This week, the company will release an advanced version of its first tablet called the Surface Pro that's essentially a full-fledged Windows 8 computer crammed into a tablet form factor. 

By Qineqt: Microsoft makes its entrance in Tablet Computing

The reviews are in on Microsoft's Surface Pro and the prognosis looks rather negative. The resounding criticism is that its weak performance doesn't line up with its top-notch physical appearance. Heavyweight tech pundit Walt Mossberg still prefers Microsoft's first release, the Surface RT.

A few years ago, Apple held a remarkable competitive position in the tablet market. The company was not only was first-to-market (Apple basically invented the tablet category). Apple also had both the premium product AND the lowest price. As competitors scrambled to catch up with the iPad, most of the early competitive tablets were both worse than the iPad and more expensive. That is an extremely rare position for a company to be in. And it's no surprise that Apple basically had the tablet market to itself for a couple of years.