This story was originally published in September, but has made Exec Digital's "BEST OF" list for 2011. 

Apple’s iPad has really shook the ground for everyone – developers scrambled to create their own tablet PC that would equal the velocity of the iPad, but most failed. While there are still reasons to purchase something other than the Apple iPad, don’t bet on the new Microsoft tablet – which debuted today without the long-awaited and well-rumored Microsoft 8 attached – to be it.

That’s only because this Microsoft release seems forced – while Exec Digital might be gadget connoisseurs, the release date of this un-named, and practically un-armed, Microsoft tablet is hardly reaching the crescendo like that of its competition.

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The Microsoft tablet was handed over to prominent techie sites yesterday in hopes that the reviews would come pouring in – that kind of response was inevitable in this day-and-age. Rather, it was what exactly they were reviewing that came as a little bit of a surprise – some were confused about what exactly the tablet means, and others decided just simply to continue a comparison to the iPad.

What we can gather is that the new Microsoft tablet won’t actually deliver what most have suspected all along – it won’t come with Microsoft 8. While the new system is available, users will have to run the new device on the later version; with x86 processor, not ARM.

There are some amazing factors – like its speed, responsive attachable keyboard, touch screen interface and an app-like experience for Microsoft’s Operating System. The official release won’t appear for a while, with the Windows 8 attached (at least, that’s what everyone is pulling for). iPad comparisons will likely continue to pour in as news of the new Windows tablet PC develops – until then, those that have the sample size will have to wait until the real goodies come to fruition.