PRICING: Microsoft's first tablet computer, the Surface, will start at $499 when it goes on sale Oct. 26. The signature hardware feature of the tablet, a cover that doubles as a keyboard, will cost another $100.
COMPARISON: The $499 price matches that of Apple Inc.'s iPad, but the base model of the Surface has twice as much storage memory: 32 gigabytes. The screen is also slightly larger.
STEP UP: There will be another model of the Surface for $699, with twice the memory, 64 GB. That version includes a cover.

