Microsoft has announced(1) its first tablet computer. The device(2), called the Surface(3), is designed(4) to compete(5) directly with the popular Apple iPad. The computer software maker(6) announced its new tablet in June at a media event in Los Angeles.
Microsoft will offer(7) two versions of the Surface. Each(8) has a different processor. The Surface for Windows RT runs(9) on an ARM processor. It is less powerful(10) than the Surface for Windows 8 Pro, which uses an Intel processor(11).
The RT is also thinner(12) and weighs less than(13) the Pro. Either tablet weighs no more than about 900 grams. Both(14) have screens(15) that are about(16) 27 centimeters in size(17).
That is a little bigger than(18) the iPad’s screen. Microsoft has not said exactly(19) when the new Surface will appear in stores(20). But, it is expected to be(21) sometime(22) in September or October.
This is about the same time(23) that the company(24) plans to release(25) its new Windows 8 computer operating system(26). Brenda Estrella owns(27) a laptop computer. She has been considering switching(27) to a tablet.
She says for her the iPad is more of an entertainment(29) device. In her words, “If Microsoft is coming out with(30) a tablet that actually(31) you can type(32), and actually do different things(33) other than(34) just swipe(35), then that would be better(36).”
Many technology lovers, including Catherine Clinch, are excited about(37) the new device. She points out(38) that the Surface stands by itself(39), so you don’t have buy a stand(40). Also(41), there is a keyboard(42) that can also act as a cover(43).
Those are all wonderful things(44), she says. But what interests her most is the potential to get rid of(45) the netbook, to get rid of the laptop — “to maybe(46) even(47) down the line(48) get rid of the full(49) computer.”Fox Van Allen is a technology expert(50).
He agrees(51) the Surface seems to have(52) more to offer than the iPad. He says, “It’s a device that almost(53) serves as a replacement(54) for a PC.” The Surface is meant to(55) compete with the iPad. But not everyone is sure(56) it is a better product.
John Ayala says he is glad(57) there is a competitor but he is sticking with(58) his iPad. For years, Microsoft has made software, not computers. A few(59) earlier attempts(60) by the company to make and sell hardware products failed(61). That includes the Zune music player. It could not compete against(62) Apple’s iPod.
Estimates(63) place the value(64) of the tablet computer market at about $79 billion this year. Microsoft hopes(65) to capture a share(66) of that market with its latest(67) device. For VOA Special English, I’m Mario Ritter.(Adapted from a radio program broadcast 25Jun2012)
Vocabulary
1. Announced = anunciou 2. Device = dispositivo 3. Surface = superficie 4. Designed = projetado 5. Compete = competir 6. software maker = fabricante softwares 7. offer = oferecer 8. Each = cada uma 9. Runs = roda 10. less powerful = menos poderoso 11. processor = processador 12. thinner = mais fina 13. weighs less than = pesa menos do que 14. Both = ambos 15. Screens = telas, visors 16. About = aproximadamente 17. Size = tamanho 18. a little bigger than = um pouco maior 19. exactly = exatamente 20. appear in stores = aparecer nas lojas 21. is expected to be = espera-se que seja 22. sometime = algum dia 23. the same time = a mesma época 24. company = empresa 25. plans to release = planeja lancer 26. operating system = sistema operacional 27. owns = possui 28. She has been considering switching = ela vem considerando trocar 29. Entertainment = entretenimento 30. coming out with = saindo com 31. actually = na verdade 32. type = digitar 33. things 34. other than = além de 35. swipe = bater com força 36. that would be better = isto seria melhor 37. excited about = empolgado com 38. points out = salienta, ressalta 39. stands by itself = sustenta-se 40. stand = suporte 41. Also = também, além disso 42. there is a keyboard = existe um teclado 43. act as a cover = atuar como uma cobertura 44. wonderful things = coisas maravilhosas 45. get rid of = livrar-se do 46. maybe = talvez 47. even = até mesmo 48. down the line = “seguindo esta linha” 49. full = complete 50. expert = especialista 51. agrees = concorda 52. seems to have = parece ter 53. almost = quase 54. replacement = substitute 55. is meant to = é projetada para 56. not everyone is sure = nem todos têm certeza 57. glad = contente 58. sticking with = ficando com 59. A few = alguns, algumas 60. earlier attempts = tentativas recentes, anteriores 61. failed = fracassaram 62. against = contra 63. Estimates = estimativas 64. place the value = colocam o valor 65. hopes = espera 66. share = cota, fatia 67. latest = mais recente