http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/18/30941 ... ows-tablet
Basically, Microsoft is making new hardware, intended to compete with Apple. Again.
Because as we all know, the Zune and the Windows Phone were incredibly successful in stealing some of Apple's market share.
Seriously, why are they trying to do hardware again? It never turns out well for them. In fact, Microsoft is usually a day late and a dollar short when it comes to anything not software-related. Even in the wake of Android and the open-source movement, Windows is still a very popular OS on mobile PC's and tablets. Why rock the boat? It's like Steve Ballmer is asking for bankruptcy.