Microsoft Surface Pro to start at $899 for 64GB model
Microsoft on Thursday announced the pricing for its forthcoming Surface Pro tablet, starting at $899 for the entry-level 64-gigabyte version with an Intel processor and the full Windows 8 operating system.
Customers will be able to double their storage to 128 gigabytes for $100 more with the $999 Surface Pro model, the Windows maker announced via its company blog. Both models of Surface with Windows 8 Pro will be available in January 2013.
All Surface Pro models will come with a Surface Pen, Microsoft's proprietary stylus, with Palm Block technology. The hardware also features 4 gigabytes of RAM, a USB 3.0 port, and the full Windows 8 operating system.
Like the ARM-based Surface RT, Surface Pro features a Dark Titanium VaporMg casing, dual 2x2 MIMO antennas, and a built-in kickstand. The professional-level machine will also weigh less than two pounds and be less than 14 millimeters thick.
The Intel-based Surface Pro will also feature a Core i5 processor with integrated graphics to power a 10.6-inch display running at 1,920-by-1,080 pixels in a 16:9 aspect ratio. It also has a Mini DisplayPort that can power an external display up to 2,560-by-1,440 pixels.
The Surface Pro is Microsoft?s attempt at creating a hybrid between a full-fledged PC and its currently available Surface RT operating system, which runs on low-powered ARM processors. Given the price points and features of the Surface Pro, Microsoft's high-end tablet hardware may be targeted as more of a MacBook Air competitor than something positioned to take on Apple's iPad.
In comparison, Apple?s entry-level 11.6-inch MacBook Air, with some similar specs, costs the same as Microsoft?s higher-end Surface Pro ? though consumers of the latter will have to pay at least $120 more for one of the compatible Surface keyboard covers, which are not included with Microsoft's tablet.
Microsoft's announcement arrived Thursday on the heels of a rumor from hit-or-miss publication DigiTimes, which claimed that Microsoft is drastically scaling back orders for its RT tablets after a soft start.
"Microsoft originally expected to ship four million Surface RT devices by the end of 2012, but has recently reduced the orders by half to only two million units," the report said.
Customers will be able to double their storage to 128 gigabytes for $100 more with the $999 Surface Pro model, the Windows maker announced via its company blog. Both models of Surface with Windows 8 Pro will be available in January 2013.
All Surface Pro models will come with a Surface Pen, Microsoft's proprietary stylus, with Palm Block technology. The hardware also features 4 gigabytes of RAM, a USB 3.0 port, and the full Windows 8 operating system.
Like the ARM-based Surface RT, Surface Pro features a Dark Titanium VaporMg casing, dual 2x2 MIMO antennas, and a built-in kickstand. The professional-level machine will also weigh less than two pounds and be less than 14 millimeters thick.
The Intel-based Surface Pro will also feature a Core i5 processor with integrated graphics to power a 10.6-inch display running at 1,920-by-1,080 pixels in a 16:9 aspect ratio. It also has a Mini DisplayPort that can power an external display up to 2,560-by-1,440 pixels.
The Surface Pro is Microsoft?s attempt at creating a hybrid between a full-fledged PC and its currently available Surface RT operating system, which runs on low-powered ARM processors. Given the price points and features of the Surface Pro, Microsoft's high-end tablet hardware may be targeted as more of a MacBook Air competitor than something positioned to take on Apple's iPad.
In comparison, Apple?s entry-level 11.6-inch MacBook Air, with some similar specs, costs the same as Microsoft?s higher-end Surface Pro ? though consumers of the latter will have to pay at least $120 more for one of the compatible Surface keyboard covers, which are not included with Microsoft's tablet.
Microsoft's announcement arrived Thursday on the heels of a rumor from hit-or-miss publication DigiTimes, which claimed that Microsoft is drastically scaling back orders for its RT tablets after a soft start.
"Microsoft originally expected to ship four million Surface RT devices by the end of 2012, but has recently reduced the orders by half to only two million units," the report said.
Comments
That price suggests this thing is DOA
Quote:
Originally Posted by allenbf
64 GB? More like 32 after the bloatware known as Windows is installed.
And let's not forget, unless I'm mistaken, this version will NOT come with MS Office pre-installed.
2) I'm sure there are some use cases that can made for this product but I think most would fair better with a proper laptop for enterprise work.
Quote:
Originally Posted by drwam
A laptop you cannot use on your lap. All for more money than MB Air when you add the keyboard. Hard to see how this is a winner.
Because it has a stylus?
It's *already* DOA, but this time in a more expensive version.
Bravo, Microstupid. Maybe your *next* CEO (if there ever will be one any time soon) will actually have vision that is less than 3 years out of date, and more than 5 feet beyond his personal space.
What's the battery life? 2 hrs?
Fat, ugly, ugly stupid OS, will not feel any faster than the iPad, worse tablet experience, worse battery life, AV needed, will run very hot.
Stupid device for stupid people. the worse of both worlds.
MS has had to eat some profit on the NAND by starting with more capacity than what other vendors use for mobile devices. The Surface RT at $499 has 32GB which seems like 2x as much capacity than the 16GB iPad but Surface RT needs about 16GB for the OS and pre-installed apps.
I expect the Surface Pro to come in at about 20GB which would give the remaining capacity for a 32GB model around 10GB of usable space. A 64GB and 128GB Surface would then have around 39GB and 100GB of usable capacity, respectively.
For those prices (which you also have to include an additional $129 for the TypeCover) I would rather just get a MBA. Or for those that really hate Apple then any Ultrabook would probably be a better fit overall.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
MS has had to eat some profit on the NAND by starting with more capacity than what other vendors use for mobile devices. The Surface RT at $499 has 32GB which seems like 2x as much capacity than the 16GB iPad but Surface RT needs about 16GB for the OS and pre-installed apps.
I expect the Surface Pro to come in at about 20GB which would give the remaining capacity for a 32GB model around 10GB of usable space. A 64GB and 128GB Surface would then have around 39GB and 100GB of usable capacity, respectively.
For those prices (which you also have to include an additional $129 for the TypeCover) I would rather just get a MBA. Or for those that really hate Apple then any Ultrabook would probably be a better fit overall.
for now.. then you have OS updates, etc.
win7 easily goes over 30gb.
I'm basing mine estimate on their system requirements for WIn8: "Hard disk space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)." That doesn't include Office or any other apps that might come standard on the device, but it also doesn't include any code or drivers that might be removed because it's not needed on the Surface Pro, so I left it at 20GB.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tjwal
If Microsoft can add another 64 Gb by $100 why does Apple charge that much for an extra 16 Gb.
or... they charge the same for doubling memory.