Microsoft has once again found itself in front of a whole new idea ahead of Apple in the forefront of computers and tablets. With it's Surface tablet launch, they are making the whole computer scene exciting again. But first, let's dive into why this is exciting.

Aesthetically speaking, it's beautiful and functional and simple. The Surface just pretty much bumped the MacBook Air and the iPad to the back seat with these design principles combining it with good hardware and software. When turned off, it looks like the iPad, and Macbook Air when turned on.

• Good design is innovative
Using a new manufacturing process called VaporMg (pronounced VaporMag), it reduces the weight while keeping the machine strong. It allow allows for a built in kickstand which is invisible when the product is in tablet mode. It's innovative and enables its laptop mode easily as well. Couple that with a combination of multi touch and pressure sensitive pen technology in the Pro model, this is something you won't find in any tablet or computer today.

To add, the software user experience is also innovative. Metro's live tiles will offer information in real time without having to launch apps, and allows for mulitasking with split screens. It is without a doubt the most innovative user experience to date.

• Good design makes a product useful
Surface is able to adapt to your usage at any time, whether you're on a desk or if you're on a sofa. It's the first time a morphing computer makes sense. Then, it's software is also propelling it even further. Surface can run full professional programs like Photoshop, which opens up the scope of a computing device that can both entertain you and work for you at the same time.

• Good design is unobtrusive
It's a tablet designed to be held, with angles that are comfortable in your hands. Microsoft says that in ultrabook mode, the keyboard is better than any other keyboard, though they didn't let anyone touch it just yet. The keyboard is undeniably unobtrusive, and it will disappear every time you cover your tablet's display. The built in trackpad will also allow you to edit any part of a document without having to lift your hands off the keyboard.

• Good design is durable
The screen glass is Gorilla 2, the best you can get right now. That means it's super strong. And the keyboard appears solidly built as well. In comparison, iOS feels dated next to it. Metro's user experience is one that I see going well into this century, for as long as we use touch screens.

So why should you be excited? Putting a tablet in a PC and vice versa, we have to say this is perhaps the best thing Microsoft has ever come up with. And the fact that it's Windows based, making work and entertainment one of the same in one machine, it'll be a hit with consumers, both casual and professional.

And while they don't have a full app ecosystem like how Google or Apple has, just yet, they are however winning a lot of developers over and have already grown faster and bigger compared to RIM.

It'll be a tough choice between the MacBook Air for Work and iPad for play and the Surface when it comes down to buying. Will Apple respond in kind to the threat of Surface?