Microsoft has announced the pricing, release month, and specs on their newest tablet, Surface with Windows 8 Pro (also known as Surface Pro).
Surface Pro comes with a hefty a price tag: $899 for the 64 GB standalone version, and $999 for the 128 GB standalone version.
But it has a pretty hefty feature set too. Microsoft bills the Surface Pro as “a full PC AND a tablet” combined.
So let’s pick this baby apart and see just what Microsoft has in mind for us here.
Let’s start with storage. Microsoft notes that the operating system software uses a significant amount of storage space. They have not provided firm numbers yet, but if the 64 GB version of Surface Pro is similar to the 64 GB version of Surface RT, there will be about 45 GB of available space after the operating system is accounted for.
On par with the Surface RT, Surface Pro comes with the Dark Titanium VaporMG case, dual antennas (designed exclusively for the Surface) and a kickstand that allows hands-free upright use. It weighs under 2 pounds, and will be 13.5 millimeters thick.
Like the Surface RT, Surface Pro also features an HD video out port, and a microSD card slot. Also included is WiFi capability and Bluetooth 4.0.
Additionally, the sensors featured with Surface Pro are the same as with the Surface RT. These include a compass, ambient light sensor, accelerometer, and a gyroscope.
As with the Surface RT, Surface Pro does not come equipped with GPS or cellular connection capability.
There are many new features that come with Surface Pro. The model is installed with a 3rd Generation Intel Core i5 processor with Intel HD Graphics 4000.
The Intel Core i5 processor should provide a significant graphics boost for the Surface Pro, which has a 10.6″ ClearType display and full HD 1920X1080 resolution.
Surface Pro will also include 4 GB of RAM with a Dual Channel Memory.
Unlike the Surface RT with its USB 2.0 port, Surface Pro features a full-size USB 3.0 port.
Also, the Surface Pro will operate all Windows 7 applications. Applications included with purchase include Windows Mail and Messaging, Internet Explorer 10, Skycloud, Bing, and Xbox music, video, and games.
The new tablet will have two 720 pixel HD LifeCams with TruColor, one at the front and one at the rear of the model. A microphone is also included (as opposed to two microphones in the Surface RT) and stereo speakers.
Surface Pro comes with a Surface pen (included with purchase) and Palm Block technology, which is designed to allow users to use the pen more effectively.
Shoppers have the option of purchasing a Touch Pad or Touch cover, which are sold separately. The Touch Cover starts at $119.99, the Touch Pad at $129.99.
The battery life on Surface with Microsoft Windows 8 Pro is said to be about half the battery life of the Surface RT model. This would place the battery life of the Surface Pro to around 4.5 – 5 hours.
As for a release date – at this point, Microsoft just says January, 2013. No exact shipping date has been released.
So what do you think? Does it sound like the Surface Pro is worth the price? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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