context aside, the phrase "the surface" may be meaning a generic surface or a Surface. When I read to myself without the "the", the reading voice reinforces that it's the "MS Surface" product that's being referred to. That's the pro/con of using generic words for products (vs ipad, for example).
When reading, and you see the capital, it's easier to determine what is being referred to, but I often hear it being read in a voice as well, and the lack of articles 'helps' in some way.
they can be read differently, but what is the default for most people? I honestly don't know, but have an idea that MS/Apple/Google others have people who study this sort of stuff and do it for a particular reason. I may be way off there though.
When reading, and you see the capital, it's easier to determine what is being referred to, but I often hear it being read in a voice as well, and the lack of articles 'helps' in some way.