Microsoft tablet Surface to start at $499
REDMOND, Wash. (AP) - Microsoft's first tablet computer, the Surface, will start at $499 when it goes on sale Oct. 26.
The price matches that of Apple Inc.'s iPad, the most popular tablet computer, but the base model of the Surface has twice as much storage memory: 32 gigabytes. The screen is also slightly larger.
The signature hardware feature of the tablet, a cover that doubles as a keyboard, will cost another $100, Microsoft Corp. said Tuesday. A step-up model for $699 has twice the memory, 64 GB, and includes a cover.
The launch of the Surface is an unusual move for Microsoft, which usually sells software to computer makers instead of making computers itself. It coincides with the launch of Windows 8, a version of the operating system that's designed to work better on touch-screen computers and tablets.
Microsoft will be selling the tablet in its own stores in the U.S. and Canada and online in those countries, plus Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong and the U.K.
The Touch Cover has a working, printed keyboard on its inside surface, but the "keys" don't move when pushed. Microsoft will sell a separate Type Cover with keys that move for $130.
The first version of the Surface doesn't have a regular Intel-style PC processor and won't run regular PC software, but it does include a version of the Office suite. Microsoft plans to release another version of the Surface some months later with a more traditional processor and the ability to run regular Windows programs. It did not disclose prices for that model.
The price matches that of Apple Inc.'s iPad, the most popular tablet computer, but the base model of the Surface has twice as much storage memory: 32 gigabytes. The screen is also slightly larger.
The signature hardware feature of the tablet, a cover that doubles as a keyboard, will cost another $100, Microsoft Corp. said Tuesday. A step-up model for $699 has twice the memory, 64 GB, and includes a cover.
The launch of the Surface is an unusual move for Microsoft, which usually sells software to computer makers instead of making computers itself. It coincides with the launch of Windows 8, a version of the operating system that's designed to work better on touch-screen computers and tablets.
Microsoft will be selling the tablet in its own stores in the U.S. and Canada and online in those countries, plus Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong and the U.K.
The Touch Cover has a working, printed keyboard on its inside surface, but the "keys" don't move when pushed. Microsoft will sell a separate Type Cover with keys that move for $130.
The first version of the Surface doesn't have a regular Intel-style PC processor and won't run regular PC software, but it does include a version of the Office suite. Microsoft plans to release another version of the Surface some months later with a more traditional processor and the ability to run regular Windows programs. It did not disclose prices for that model.
I paid less than $400 for my iPad, and I just bought my wife a brand new little laptop with Windoze on it (full version of Windoze) for $299. So where does that leave a $499 tablet with Windoze RT on it? ... in the store.
Does it come with Cntrl+Alt+Delete functionality?
Here's a fairly informative ad for the MS Surface RT. Â
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http://youtu.be/P0m6tq8vK7E
it looks like they missed the boat - again. The price is waay too high, it's Windows, and it is too big. Slightly bigger than the iPad? Which is already too big? Fail. The hot ticket in tablets isn't this form factor. it is the smaller 7.5 inch, single hand size of devices like the Fire or nexus 7 tablet, even the iPad mini if it is really coming out.
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For half the price you can get a fully functional android tablet with a nice feature set. Or a Fire. Or, for the same money, just go buy a notebook and be done with it.
$500 is just too high for the gimped version of Windows (called Windows RT). I'd rather just get the iPad 3, with higher screen resolution and an already vetted large app catalog. The Surface Pro will have Windows 8, but that probably means the starting price is going to be near $800.... too high!!!
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Microsoft, why didn't you just take a loss and sell this thing at $299-$399 to get the hype out there and get this thing selling? You need to undercut Apple if you want to have ANY chance with this. Seems like a BIG lost opportunity.
 @Ethan Allen Microsoft isn't the only one making hardware for Windows 8 tablets.  We very well may see lower prices when other manufacturers come out with their Windows 8 tablets, like Asus, Lenovo, Dell, Nokia, HP, etc. (all of which have made plans to release their own Windows 8 tablets)I don't think Microsoft was in a position to under price their hardware when they need the OEM manufacturers to be able to sell for a profit as well. Â
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I consider the MS Surface Tablet the hardware meant for early adopters of the Windows 8 Tablet.
 @Landshark I understand that point of view, but I highly doubt that the other manufactures (except maybe Samsung) are going to be able to get the price any lower. At the very least, MS could design the thing, call it a Samsung Surface, and then sell it like that if they wanted OEM happiness.
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In the end the problem isn't with the OEM's, it's with Microsoft getting any interest in Windows 8 devices at all. They can figure out the OEM problem later.... what they need to do now is be relevant in any way possible in the tablet market!
Interesting, but at this point the Pro model (which is still several months off) is the only one I'd even consider. And I suspect I'd probably be better off with a Windows 7 Ultrabook in the long run anyway.
The economy must be doing pretty good if people can afford to pay these inflated prices.
 @Blindman Not everyone is a one-trick-pony.
With everything they learned from the Zune, the Surface seems unstoppable.
I think it's a mistake for them to create so many versionsâit's like when you are buying Windows and there are 4 different versions when Apple has 1. Stop expecting consumers to become experts just to make that one purchase.
 @strangel00p There's only 2 'versions' of the Microsoft Surface Tablet.  Those are RT and PRO.  There are a lot of options though, but those have to do with how much harddrive space you want (32gb vs 64gb, etc). Â
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RT comes with full office suite of software and you must get more apps from the app store.
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PRO comes with a full Windows OS, acts just like a desktop, but has a touch-screen interface (or you can plug in a keyboard/mouse or even attached a monitor). It's basically a tablet/laptop hybrid. Â
 @Landshark  @strangel00p thanksâthat's good to hear.
 @Landshark I do think Microsoft should do a better job at explaining the difference but yeah, there's only 2 versions. I'm personally going to wait on the windows 8 pro tablet because of the enterprise utility.
 @quidproquo Yep, I'm waiting for the PRO to replace a much older laptop here at home. Â
Gonna wait for the Windows 8 pro version. Enterprise support.
Ha, tricky writers, using the flat keyboard, pictured, and touting the surface. Â I almost thought there was a device that thin :)
 @31F Ah... that got me too. So that is some kind of a touch keyboard that can be plugged into it? Never seen that before, but then again, I don't get out much.
 @Scoondog  @31F The keyboard is actually quite cool.  It attaches via magnets, nothing to plug in. Â
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@31F - lack of research.... what a shame
 @FormerMarineSgt  @31F Huh?  Do you mean lack of research on the part of the writers?  I have been following the Surface for a awhile, but that picture can be deceiving.  No shame in that...Â
Unfortunately for Microsoft, everyone I know has already either gone the Android or Apple route for mobile computing. The surface will quickly go the route of the Zune.
 @ChrisJericho I think your wrong on that one. The PRO version having enterprise support will cull many businesses, which is Microsofts' main source of profit.
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I for one, plan on getting one (the RT version) and later getting the pro version.
 @ChrisJericho There are more people out there than the people you know.Â
 @PrairieDawn lol thanks for that deep insight.
It's about $100 more than I expected, but I realize Microsoft can't undercut the OEM tablet makes either. Â I am curious if companies like Samsung, etc will release tablets at a cheaper price.Â
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Overall though, the MS Surface tablets offer the most hardware of any tablet. Â Personally, I'll wait for the MS Surface Pro to be released, so I can replace our 5 year old laptop.Â
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Event at $499, it's cheaper than an iPad and gives you much better hardware! Â
@Landshark - it's already 'more' than you get with an iPad for the same price.
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Let's see if they can get the public to accept it or not.
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 @FormerMarineSgt  @Landshark I'm hoping for some really good deals this holiday season.
Too bad it will run a form of Windows. They'd be better off running Android on it.
 @Hachee_Bungwhy The MS Surface PRO will be running a full version of Windows 8.  For now, the MS Surface RT will work similar to how an iPad works, where you need to download apps from their app store.  Even then the MS Surface RT is of better value thanks to the hardware and ability to easily attach other hardware to it (using USB, HDMI, etc).
 @Landshark  @Hachee_Bungwhy The iPad has bluetooth. You can already connect things like speakers and a keyboard wirelessly.
 @Landshark  @Hachee_Bungwhy The Surface Pro might be the only productive tablet on the market.
 @BoscoBaracus  @Landshark  @Hachee_Bungwhy Funny, I run a 27" iMac, 17" Macbook Pro, and a 14" Macbook.  I pull out my trusty Samsung Q1 Ultra UMPC (the first true tablets) when I need a PC, rather than a virtualized Windows environment.  I am an Apple fan, but the iPad, for me, is useless.Â
 @31F  @Landshark  @Hachee_Bungwhy Don't let fans of apple hear that.