<p>It's a huge year for Microsoft. The venerable tech giant is essentially reinventing itself from the ground up for 2012. A new server OS, new desktop OS, new Microsoft Office suite, new mobile platform, and new tablet hardware are all being launched virtually simultaneously. To say Microsoft has a lot riding on the success of the new products is an understatement.</p><p>Apparently, Microsoft is willing to put its money where its proverbial mouth is, though, and lead its customers by example. There are reports that Microsoft plans to accelerate its normal PC refresh cycle to give all employees new Windows 8 desktops and laptops. But, waitthere's more! Microsoft is also allegedly issuing new Windows Phone 8 smartphones and Surface RT tablets to all employees as well.</p><p>Microsoft allegedly plans to give all employees their very own Surface RT tablet.Aside from Microsoft playing Santa Claus (or Oprahchoose your own benevolent icon), and bringing Christmas to employees a tad early, the move also demonstrates Microsoft's confidence in the new platforms and software. It is arguably the most extreme example of the "eat your own dog food" mantra ever implemented.</p><p>It's probably not entirely altruistic, though. It seems safe to assume that there is a deeper business strategy behind the decision.</p><p><a href="http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/262330/microsoft_is_going_all_in_with_windows_8_and_windows_phone_8.html">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://mashable.com/2012/09/14/windows-8-upgrade-2/">The Windows 8 RTM Upgrade Experiment</a> (Mashable)</p><p><a href="http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/81402">Why Windows RT has a closed Windows 8 apps environment: power</a> (Network World)</p><p><a href="http://www.zdnet.com/windows-8-interfaces-design-heritage-7000004196/">Windows 8 interface&#039;s design heritage</a> (ZDNet)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?pz=1&ned=us&ncl=dlkAwHU7y9Mgc5MbUk41qH4H4brYM">166 additional articles.</a></p>