Microsoft said a small number of covers for its Surface tablet computer may be splitting after two weeks in users' hands and that it?s replacing the defective ones. The company confirmed that it is "aware of a small number of instances of material separation" of the cover accessory.

Surface went on sale Oct. 26 and runs its new Windows 8 operating system, to operate as a touch-screen tablet that doubles as a small notebook computer.

The defects with the Touch Cover were reported earlier this week on the web.