Mystery solved: Microsoft's new Surface tablet (pictures)

At Milk Studios in Los Angeles, Microsoft held a press event (with very little notice and few details) for its new Surface tablet.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer kicks off the press event in front of a screen displaying Microsoft's Metro UI.

Ballmer holds Microsoft's newest piece of hardware, the 10.6-inch Surface tablet. Two versions will be released: one will run the Windows RT OS and the other will use Windows 8 Pro.

Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live Division at Microsoft, holds the Surface tablet, which measures 1.5 pounds and is 9.3 millimeters thick.

In this side-view illustration, the Surface sports a USB 2.0 port.

The Surface will be encased in a cover called the VaporMg Case, which is made out of magnesium.

Here, Sinofsky shows how the Surface will come with its very own built-in kickstand.

The physical keyboard add-on, called Touch Cover, has a touch pad, comes in a variety of colors, and measures 3mm thick.

The Surface with its kickstand and Touch Cover fully assembled together.

In addition to Touch Cover, Microsoft will release the more traditional-feeling Type Cover.

Though Microsoft didn't release details of the release date or pricing, Microsoft's press release said its price will be "competitive with a comparable ARM tablet or Intel Ultrabook-class PC."

Microsoft execs are all smiles as they bring the Surface event to a close.