Microsoft's own-brand Surface tablet has finally been given a UK price tag. The Windows 8-powered RT tablet will start at £399, the same price as the cheapest iPad.
That's the cost for just the tablet. If you want the attachable keyboard cover you'll be splashing out £100 extra, and £110 for the keyboard that has moving keys and is likely to be a little more comfortable.
The UK price is -- for once -- actually a bit better than the Stateside price tag, at least compared to Apple's rival tablet. Microsoft's Surface only comes in 32 and 64GB options -- the 32GB costs $499 in the US, $100 cheaper than the 32GB Wi-Fi only iPad, but not as cheap as the 16GB Apple slate.
The Surface, however, starts at £399, the same price tag glued to the British 16GB Wi-Fi only iPad. For that same price however you get twice the storage capacity. Expect to pay more for the 64GB Surface RT.
It's great to know that the Surface will be coming to the UK -- believe it or not, until a few hours ago that was still a mystery -- but we still don't have a British release date.
In the US, the Surface will go on sale on 26 October, alongside Windows 8. I wouldn't be surprised if Brits are left waiting a little longer, however.
The price of the Surface Pro remains shrouded in the fog of uncertainty too, though you can bet your buttons it'll be considerably more expensive than the more basic RT option.
Microsoft says a "special limited-quantity pre-order" will kick off at 9am tomorrow PDT -- that's 5pm in UK time, though the pre-order button appears to be live already, and directing to an empty page.
What do you think of Surface's pricing? Will this 10.6-inch tablet sell like hot cakes, or languish on shop shelves? Stick your predictions in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
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Comments 21
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James Forsey 16 October, 2012 17:42
If you add the Surface with Windows RT to your basket on the Microsoft UK store, when you go to your backet it states "Release Date : Pre-order now for delivery by 26/10"
anonymous 16 October, 2012 17:56
£100 for a keyboard? lol that's a joke.
justinhow 16 October, 2012 18:49
I do not understand your comment "but not as cheap as the 16GB Apple slate."
The 16GB iPad 3 in the US is $499 and so is the same price as the 32GB Surface. Can you correct your article.
Jason Alexander 16 October, 2012 19:22
Just ordered mine, 64gb with both covers. Time to see what Microsoft has got!
I have one specific program I use for my business that I can't run from my iPad so this will replace the laptop on my desk. If its good enough it may come home with me.
Jason Alexander 16 October, 2012 19:27
Btw Luke, the link is to the American site!
James Forsey, thanks for the tip. It's been years since I've been to the Microsoft website. I'd forgotten it even existed.
anonymous 16 October, 2012 19:33
Just ordered the 32GB one. I'm so excited!!!
anonymous 16 October, 2012 19:56
@Jason Alexander
This win rt, not the win pro, it will not run desktop apps....
ElDiabloJuanCarl 16 October, 2012 20:36
Not surprised by the price, but a bit disappointed with it to be honest, in particular with the decision to package the keyboard separately and at that crazy price (not sure how this compares to optional keyboards on Android or Apple devices?). At a cheaper price I'd have considered picking up the RT device, but when I could get a good laptop (with Windows 8) for about the same price, well, why would I settle for a tablet.
Maybe if the Surface Pro prices are more attractive (say, £600, although I fully expect them to be around the £800 mark), I look at one of them then, but for now I think the Nexus 7 remains at the top of my Christmas wish list.
anonymous 16 October, 2012 21:07
Was giving it a lot of consideration then this made up my mind...
"[1] HD Video Out also requires the HD Digital AV Adapter or VGA Adapter (each sold separately)." what?! =S why!?
So the port on the actually device is on its own useless. The ports were a major selling point but the adapter adds £34.99.
Angelos Bogatinis 16 October, 2012 22:01
W8ing for pro. Im sold for it. ios android win8 rt sod the half backed OS give us the full montey
Peter Hudson 16 October, 2012 23:53
Dead god Angelos. Spelling, punctuation. Aaargh!!!
Mark Anderson 17 October, 2012 08:24
Quite intrigued but I think I'll wait until the price comes down in a few months. The keyboard is the killer feature undoubtedly.
It makes the iPad look old and boring to be honest.
anonymous 17 October, 2012 09:02
If i were to get the surface it would have to act just like a pc, with abilities to plug in external cd player etc. im typing this on my ipad and to be honest the ipad is so limited by its connections and software i wouldnt buy one again. We should be demanding more rather than less from our technology and it needs to start getting cheaper, tougher and more future proof. A device should be able to last 10 years rather than 6 months. Microsoft has been so precious about demonstrating the surface, so i'd advise waiting for real reviews. Early adopters always get dumped on
Jason Alexander 17 October, 2012 09:27
Anonymous 19:56
It will run apps available in the store, the program I use will be...
Kieran Sampson 17 October, 2012 09:33
Seeing as the keyboard was one of their major selling points, I'm amazed it wasn't included with the tablet. Charging £100 extra for it is just ridiculous!
anonymous 17 October, 2012 09:59
Peter Hudson if you're going to comment on Angelos spelling and punctuation, you should be mindful that God has a capital G.
Just saying.
anonymous 17 October, 2012 12:32
@ Peter Hudson - A serious case of the pot calling the kettle black there. Dead god?!?
Don't you mean Dear God? Check you're own spelling and punctuation before criticizing someone else's. Twat.
ElDiabloJuanCarl 17 October, 2012 12:36
I surprised to learn from Hudson that a "Dead god" posts on CNET. All hail the once omnipotent Angelos! May he grant all our wishes... and improve all of our grammar, spelling, punctuation etc... :-P
Meleagru 17 October, 2012 16:51
I think I'll wait for the cheap Chinese version. Sometime in the near future, large Chinese corporations will emerge that will dwarf the likes of Microsoft and they'll put out better products for cheaper prices.
100wattbulb 21 October, 2012 18:33
I am a denizen of the black arts and the only dead god I know who is a real concern is Cthulu, for as Lovecraft says 'the dead god lies dreaming.'
Dear grumpy anonymous....
'Check you're own spelling and punctuation'
don't you mean... Check your own spelling and punctuation
Cthulu will probably exact a suitable revenge for your flagrant grammar
anonymous 22 October, 2012 09:10
Why do people think the touch/type cover is the major selling point here? Surely it's Windows8, free Office RT, proper USB socket & SD card that really make this thing stand out. Oh, also the widescreen.