Microsoft breaks tradition to launch new Surface tablet. Is this the 'iPad killer' at last?

In a highly-guarded product launch which generated a level of buzz the company hasn't seen in years, Microsoft announced on Monday night in Los Angeles the Surface family of tablets designed to work with the new Windows 8 operating system and challenge Apple's stronghold on the tablet market with the iPad.

The launch event, which marked Microsoft's first foray into personal computing hardware in years, was in itself noteworthy. Tech journalists who turned up had no idea what to expect and the contents of the kept completely secret until the announcement was made. In the end, CEO Steve Balmer and his team did not disappoint. Check out our summary coverage of the Surface launch event.