US-IT-MICROSOFT-WINDOWS 8 LAUNCH

The new Microsoft Surface tablet on display following a press conference at Pier 57 to officially launch Windows 8 and the tablet in New York on October 25, 2012. Microsoft took a big step into mobile Thursday, unveiling a revamped version of its flagship Windows system and a offering a closer look at Surface, its entry into the hot tablet market. The new Windows 8 operating system and tablet to go on sale Friday mark a new offensive for the US tech giant seeking to keep pace with Apple and Google amid a dramatic shift away from PCs to mobile devices. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)