Things always have a way of looking like what we want them to, before we get a chance to see them. I know how it works; I spent a lot of time waiting, hoping and grumbling about Windows tablets.
And what I see here, is an ARM tablet that has a real shot as a tablet - provided the Windows side stays out of the way.
And a hand-waved x86 tablet that may or may not be notably improved over last year's Windows tablets.
From that, you seem to be hoping the best of the ARM tablet (size/battery/usability) is implicit in the x86 tablet or vice-versa (does the ARM tablet even allow keyboard/mouse style apps from third parties?).
And that's precisely what remains to be seen.
As a deeply invested Apple user, it is nice to see Msft finally making something I might want to use.
I think it's a pretty good strategy from that standpoint. Additionally, with the Intel version being compatible with desktop apps, this should fit in with the business (corporate) environment.
Of course, this is speculation, but I think it has a pretty good chance at being successful.
Microsoft's Surface looks like (for me) it could replace both the ipad and my macbook. It isn't a consumption device- it runs a full operating system. I could remote in to work from anywhere, attach it to a monitor if I wanted to work at home, and easily carry it around. It provides the convenience of a tablet, while allowing real work to be done. It even comes in pretty colors.
Apple wants me to own a phone, a music player, a tablet, and a laptop all to do separate things in separate places. This isn't necessary.
This is not a reversal of Microsoft's position- it's the logical next step.