Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Readies Windows 8, Surface Tablet

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has been chattered about often in recent weeks leading up to the eventual unveil of its new Windows 8 operatings system and its proprietary Surface tablet computer. But now, the company has made the annoucement of the announcement official – it will hold a launch event Thursday, October 25, in New York City. Windows 8 is due to hit store shelves the next day, though rumors have recently surfaced that the OS isn’t quite ready for prime time and thus the actual release may come in November. However, to have a firm date set for the launch event is at least a step in the right direction, as Microsoft works not only to keep its PC dominance, but also to wedge itself into the tablet and smartphone space with this OS re-design that is considered the most dramatic in nearly 20 years.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is working diligently to get itself into the expontentially expanding mobile device space, and it’s expected that Windows 8 will be the operating system tht will allow its loyal PC users to bridge to the more mobile marketplace in smartphones and tablets, as the company is also expected not only to launch the OS for tablets, but also the smartphone-based OS of the same name, as well as a Surface tablet of its own design.

Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) was quoted in a recent interview that essentially squelched any rumors that the Surface RT would be a bargain-basement price-point, when he said that the entry-level Surface RT and the high-end Surface Pro would be priced from about $300 to around $800, using it to answer a question whether Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) would try to battle the iPad by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in the area of price, or features. Ballmer didn’t answer the question directly other than to say of cheaper tablets – like the $199 Kindle Fire by Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), as his example –  “they do less. They look less good, they’re chintzier, they’re cheaper.”

Now with an official unveiling date and at least a price range, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) might be primed for some action on the markets by investors, or those on the sidelines looking for an opportunity. Among those already gearing up for a big move by the stock is hedge-fund manager Seth Klarman of Baupost Group.