Microsoft has pronounced a price for its professional high-end tablet. The Microsoft Surface Pro will start at £560 when it arrives in the new year.
That's the US price, though -- UK prices have not been announced. American tablet fans will have to pay $899 (£560) for the 64GB version or $999 (£622) for the 128GB model -- and the Touch Cover keyboard costs an extra hundred bucks on top.
The Surface Pro is a tablet running the full version of the new Windows 8 software, rather than the special stripped-down mobile version found on the already available Microsoft Surface. The Pro has an Intel chip and the same software as a computer or laptop, so you can install your own programs and use all the files your PC can. By contrast, the Surface has an ARM chip, so runs the mobile Windows 8 RT software that can only install mobile apps and access certain types of files.
The 10.6-inch Pro also has a more detailed screen, but is slightly heavier than the RT model because of the bigger battery required to supply the extra power required. Both tablets clip into a keyboard for more involved work such as lengthy typing.
The Surface went on sale at the end of October but has suffered delays, prompting Microsoft to offer £50 compensation to early customers. The Surface has also been controversial because of Microsoft's misleading use of memory statistics -- despite claiming to have 32GB of memory, only 20GB of memory is available to you.
The Surface Pro goes on sale in January. We'll keep you posted when UK prices are confirmed -- we're worried that the dollar sign will be swapped for a pound sign and we'll end up paying £900. Just adding VAT to the US price jacks it up to £670.
What do you think of the Pro price? Can it compete with the iPad? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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anonymous 30 November, 2012 12:08
the ratio of RT:Pro costs of US vs UK would indicate that £750-800 is more likely.
anonymous 30 November, 2012 12:44
If the Pro price is high this will be a huge flop as anti appleites like me will be forced to buy an apple.
anonymous 30 November, 2012 12:46
Surely it would make more sense for Microsoft to have the Pro out before Chirstmas, that would gurantee a surge in sales. What are Ballmer and Panos thinking do they have no retail acumen?
anonymous 30 November, 2012 12:48
Not impressed with the strategy of MS this should have been out before Xmas.
anonymous 30 November, 2012 12:50
Is there anyone that can influence an earlier release date ? Do we need to to get and online petition going or something ? Microsoft you are a couple of keys short of a keyboard my friends , not impressed!
anonymous 30 November, 2012 14:11
Awful timing, great product! Would consider buying one my current laptop fails. Though importing one from the US might been a good idea!
Craig Barratt 30 November, 2012 16:35
Haha, it'll be too expensive and released when no one has any money, not sure 'fail' covers it. Also, don't start making excuses for price hike, Google manages to sell the nexus 7 at the same equivalent cost to US so all the vat nonsense is pretty weak.
anonymous 1 December, 2012 11:29
I think the product has lots of promise and looks great, but it's far too expensive, especially to challenge the iPads already well established foot hold. And Surface RT isnt exactly flying off the shelves, but maybe thats an indicator that people are waiting for Pro. Microsoft sold the Xbox at a loss just to get them out there, now look at its market position. The same strategy should be adopted here I think. Maybe Microsoft are being cautious so as not to annoy it's 3rd party OEMs. So high prices means the likes of Acer and Asus can still peddle their tablets, without everyone automatically buying a Surface.
anonymous 1 December, 2012 20:03
Considering I paid £1000 for the light small form factor of my zenbook - the Surface Pro is ideal in my opinion - as it provides my full functionality as my ultrabook and all the features of a tablet.
anonymous 2 December, 2012 08:47
@Craig Barratt 30 November, 2012 16:35
"......don't start making excuses for price hike, Google manages to sell the nexus 7 at the same equivalent cost to US so all the vat nonsense is pretty weak".
Sorry, you are completely wrong on the Nexus 7 US versus UK pricing.
16gb Nexus 7
US price = $199 = £124 - then + VAT = £149 However UK price = £159