All eyes will be on Microsoft tomorrow as they officially introduce Windows 8 and the Surface Windows RT tablet.  There’s plenty of buzz around Windows RT as Microsoft’s official entry in the tablet race, but with Apple’s recent unveiling of the iPad Mini and the iPad 4, is the RT really worth the wait?

And what does the Surface tablet mean for PCs?  According to Amit Pandey, CEO and President of Zenprise, a leader in mobile device management security for large enterprises, the release of Windows 8 and the Surface tablets, marks the demise of the PC business.

“The PC is dead,” Amit stated.  “Personal computing has been moving in this direction as consumers shift their lives to mobile devices. Vendors like Microsoft are acknowledging this with new products that blur the lines between PC and mobile platforms, like Windows 8. This has huge implications for enterprises. PCs are easy to lock down, but mobile fragmentation makes it way more challenging. IT is now tasked with not only securing and managing a broad array of devices, but also ensuring a great end-user experience for employees.”

I’m pretty sure a lot of people aren’t happy with the $499 price tag, but a tablet that costs this much must be packing some heavy guns, right?  Let’s take a look at some of the top features expected the RT.

Pre-installed apps

Though the Microsoft Store doesn’t have as many apps as Apple or Google’s, the RT comes pre-installed with Office Home and Student 2013 RT Preview.  So enjoy the touch-enhanced versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. A perk for consumers that need the full Microsoft experience in a mobile tablet, and a major differentiator for the Surface compared to other tablets on the market.   It also comes with Windows Mail and Messaging, SkyDrive, Internet Explorer 10, Bing, Xbox Music, Video, and Games.

Personalize it

You can pin your favorite apps on the start screen and arrange them according to your whim.  Personalize your passcode by creating a unique picture password and you can even customize your background image to match your style.

Always On

Even when in standby, the live tiles and notifications are always updated so whenever you pick up your RT, you’d immediately know what’s waiting for you.  The RT has a battery life of eight hours, so being well informed won’t be a problem.

Enhanced security

Though the RT is always on, you don’t have to worry about the security of your device since it comes with device encryption and Windows Defender.  Device encryption is when the user puts a passcode on a device so no one can easily access their data, while the Windows Defender is a program that protects your device from pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software.  So your device is protected from both online and offline threats.

Cool accessories

You have the freedom to choose how you want your tablet to look.  You can choose between the colorful Touch cover if you’re feeling funky and cool, or the classic Type cover if you want to appear professional.  The Touch is available in 5 colors: black, cyan, white, red and magenta.  It has a built-in trackpad, plus it’s spill-proof.

The covers cost $119.99 each.  The Type cover comes with the full set of Function keys (F1-12) aside from the QWERTY keyboard, trackpad and Windows keys, that are also seen in the Type cover. The Type cover costs $129.99. The covers double as a functional keyboard and a protective cover.

If those features aren’t enough for you to purchase the Surface Windows RT, then maybe these features will: it has a 10.6″ ClearType HD Display with 1366×768 pixels and a 5-point multitouch functionality, VaporMg casing, Dark Titanium color, weighs 1.5 pounds, Quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3, 2GB RAM, Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0 technology, 31.5 W-h battery, two 720p HD LifeCams, front- and rear-facing, two microphones, stereo speakers, full-size USB 2.0, microSDXC card slot, headset jack, HD video out port, cover port, Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass and a 24W power supply.

The RT is already available for pre-order and will be sold in retail stores by tomorrow, October 26.  As for the Surface Pro, interested consumers would still have to wait maybe a few weeks or months before it becomes available.