Microsoft’s new baby, Windows 8, is almost ready for a handset (and tablet) near you. October 26th, 2012 is the magic day for Surface, Microsofts first stab at the tablet game, and it will come loaded with the hot-off-the-press Windows 8 operating system.

The source of this information is the company’s recent filing with the SEC. The initial batch of tablets will include the ARM-based RT version only; the Intel-powered (and likely more expensive) version will come in early 2013.

The real nail-biter with this one is whether or not Microsoft can pull of their own assumptions: that consumers will complete most interactions in the Metro-style home screen, rather than the traditional-PC layout (an option that, of course, will still be available).

[via MobileSyrup]

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