By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla
Good news for everyone who has been holding out for the Microsoft Surface Pro tablet, it is coming to Canada and the US on February 9th. The not so good news, it will cost $900 for the 64GB model which means the top of the line 128GB model will likely cost over $1000.
The Surface Pro is Microsoft's second tablet device built-in house that will run the full version of Windows 8 (meaning everything that Windows 7 and earlier versions of the OS could run). The Windows RT Surface tablet, which has been available for months now, runs an ARM version of Windows that can only run RT specific apps. The Surface Pro will be able to work as a tablet, a sort of notebook with the various keyboard cases and possibly docked into a desktop setup with connected monitors, keyboards and mice. It will also offer a stylus because that's been a pro feature everybody wants.
Aiming to be notebook replacement, the Surface Pro will come to a market that's already loaded with Windows 8 capable tablet cum notebook combos and a newer breed of convertible Ultrabooks that ring it at the same price point or lower. Surface Pro will need to steal the thunder from Samsung's ATIV Smart PC Pro tablet and Lenovo's ThinkPad Tablet 2 which are competitive in features, portability and price.
Below is the full announcement from Microsoft
REDMOND, Wash. — Jan. 22, 2013 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that its Surface family of PCs is growing. Its newest model — Surface Windows 8 Pro — will be available for purchase on Feb. 9, 2013, in the United States and Canada at all Microsoft retail stores,microsoftstore.com, Staples and Best Buy in the U.S., as well as from a number of locations in Canada.
Powered by an Intel Core i5 processor, Surface Windows 8 Pro provides the power and performance of a laptop in a tablet package. Perfect as your one device — at home, in the office, or on the road — it can run Windows 8 applications, as well as current Windows 7 desktop applications. Starting at an estimated retail price of US$899, Surface Windows 8 Pro will be available in 64GB and 128GB models.[1] A Surface pen with Palm Block technology, designed specifically to work with Surface to let customers edit, collaborate and get things done, is included with Surface Windows 8 Pro.
In addition to being able to buy Surface Windows 8 Pro in the coming weeks, customers will soon be able to purchase Surface Windows RT in 13 additional markets worldwide,[2] more than double the number of markets in which Surface is currently available.
“The response to Surface has been exciting to see,” said Panos Panay, general manager, Microsoft Surface. “We’re thrilled to continue growing the Surface family with the availability of Surface Windows 8 Pro on Feb. 9 and by increasing the number of places customers can experience Surface firsthand.”
Additional Surface accessories will also soon be available, allowing customers to further personalize and customize their computing experience and get more done with Surface.
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Surface Windows RT will be available in a new 64GB[1] standalone version for an estimated retail price of US$599 to allow customers the option of selecting a Cover of their choice.
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Three new Touch Cover Limited Editions in red, magenta and cyan will be sold at an estimated retail price of US$129.99.
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Customers will have the option of purchasing a Wedge Touch Mouse, Surface Edition, for an estimated retail price of US$69.95 in all markets in which Surface is currently sold[3] with additional markets to follow in the coming weeks.
Additional details on Surface are available at http://www.Surface.com and Surface on Facebook. Those interested can follow Surface or Panay on Twitter for additional updates.
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