Apple fan sites are already queuing up to call initial problems with the Surface tablet 'keyboardgate.'

If certain tech media sites are to be believed, Microsoft's Surface user forum is awash with complaints that the tablet's Touch cover keyboards are splitting open at the seams. And although there have been steady reports from US and UK owners that their keyboards appear to be separating along the joint where it connects to tablet, only 8 posters report having a problem. The overwhelming majority of posts to the forum are from Surface owners leaping to the defense of Microsoft and claiming that the story is being blown out of proportion by Apple-biased media.

For example, pbabkey said, "Since [technology site] CNET seems desperate to find things outside of Apple to report on, I wanted to clarify with anyone coming to this thread from the CNET article that this issue was announced by a whopping TWO people. Yes, two people experiencing a hardware issue with a Microsoft product is apparently newsworthy. I have never been happier with a tablet/computer purchase in my life. Thank you, CNET, for driving people to this community so they can see how happy Surface customers are."

Whether or not the story is being blown out of proportion remains to be seen but what is clear is that some bloggers have wasted no time in using the issue to launch scathing attacks on Microsoft. In the meantime, people who have bought a Surface with a Type Cover keyboard can get it replaced free of charge if they are experiencing problems.