If Microsoft goes with RT, users of the tablet will likely have instant access to its apps thanks to "connected standby." That function makes a tablet operate like a smartphone. The device is designed to work in a powered-on state all the time. When not in use, it just goes into a very deep sleep.

The size of the tablet's display will say a lot about how Microsoft intends to position the slate. If it has a 10.3-inch display, it will be seen as a competitor to the iPad. If it has a seven-inch display, then it will be characterized as a Kindle Fire challenger.

There are some benefits to introducing a seven-inch tablet. One is it wouldn't be compared to Apple's market leading slate. It would be compared to the Kindle Fire. That comparison could be very favorable to the new tablet, especially if it's running a robust operating system like RT.