Microsoft Windows 8 Surface Tabs will initially be available in two versions — one  running an  RT version of Win 8 using ARM-based chips, and the other outfitted with an Intel Core processor for running Windows 8 Pro. Both versions of Surface will feature 10.6-inch HD displays and have front and rear cameras. Microsoft is positioning the Surface as a hybrid tablet/ultrabook.

Microsoft Surface with Windows RT, which is expected to be released before Christmas, will come pre-installed with MS Office 15, allowing for writing and editing documents and making presentations. The Surface RT has 2 speakers and dual microphones plus microSD, USB 2.0 and Micro HDMI ports.

The Touch Cover for the Microsoft Surface Tab also serves as an ultra-thin (3 mm) full qwerty touch keyboard. the cover snaps into a magnetic latch on the tablet. Another cover (5 mm-thin), called the "Type Cover," provides tactile feedback and a multi-touch trackpad. The Touch Cover will be available in five different colors: white, black, red, cyan, and magenta.

Surface Tab's built-in kickstand allows transitioning the tablet from active use to passive consumption. The kickstand fits flush into the back of the tablet and disappears when not in use, adding no additional weight or thickness. Microsoft says the integral kickstand has been designed to provide the tactile and audible feedback similar to a door being opened and closed on a high-end automobile.

Microsoft Surface casing is made out of a material the company calls VaporMG  ("Vapor Mag").  By using magnesium liquid metal, Microsoft says parts for its Surface Tablet can be molded as thin as .65mm, thinner than a credit card, however much lighter, stronger and more rigid.

Samsung introduced its first generation Galaxy tablet, a 7-inch model (pictured), in 2010. A 10.1-inch version was initially launched in March 2011 in both Asia and Europe.  Last February, just before the World Mobile Conference in Barcelona, Spain, Samsung officially announced its Galaxy Tab 2 Android Tablet line, beginning with the 7-inch model. Both new models will operate on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with a TouchWiz overlay.

The Galaxy Tab 7 is a direct replacement for the original Galaxy Tab, a 20-month old tablet that Samsung will not be upgrading to ICS. The new 7-inch Galaxy Tab 2 Android Tablet will have a 1GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM. Internal storage will be a choice of either 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB. Its 7-inch display will be a 1024 x 600 PLS LCD unit. The New Tablet will come with a 3-megapixel camera in back and a VGA webcam up front.  Estimated price: $300-$350 for 8GB model.

Like it's 7-inch version, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) will run on Google's Android 4.0 OS, Ice Cream Sandwich, feature a redesigned user interface with a new app gallery layout. It will also feature  a cool "Face Unlock" feature that locks and unlocks the device using  facial recognition software. The tablet is reported to  be powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor. Estimated Price: Hard to say, but Engadget reported seeing the 10.1-inch model at Office Depot listed at $399 for the 8GB model.

In last December, Eric Schmidt made statements suggesting his company was building its own Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Tablet. According to The Verge sources, the rumored co-branded Google Nexus Tablet, originally planned for a May release, is now set for a July launch. The reported reason for the delay is that Google wants to determine design changes to lower its price to complete with the Amazon Kindle Fire and other low-cost Android Tablets.

Specifications for the new Google Android Tablet are sketchy at best because the company is reportedly redesigning it to lower costs. As of now, the Google Nexus Tablet (no official name yet)  is is said to include a 7-inch display, possibly running at 1280 x 800 resolution, along with NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 chipset and WiFi connectivity. Google's first co-branded Android Tablet is reportedly being built by Asustek.  The Verge sources say Google wants its new tablet to sell for $199.