Microsoft has revealed that it will launch its new Surface Tablets will be launched on October 26th alongside Windows 8 which will be available to download.

Microsoft’s Windows RT tablets, featuring ARM processors, will be the initial products to launch, followed by the Intel-based Surface Pro slates around 90 days later.

Microsoft hopes that launching its own line of tablets will help drive forward the market for Windows 8 on touchscreen devices, while also providing a challenger for Apple’s iPad and tablets running Google Android.

However, Microsoft has also acknowledged a potentially big issue in launching its own range of tablets, involving exclusion of other computers and devices running Windows.

“Our Surface devices will compete with products made by our OEM (original equipment manufacturer) partners, which may affect their commitment to our platform,” Microsoft admitted in the document filed last week.

It is expected that the Windows RT product could cost between €400-€480, but the Windows 8 Pro could cost up to €800 or higher, putting it among the more expensive tablets on the market.