Microsoft prices Pro version of Surface at $899
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Microsoft's Surface tablet running a full version of Windows 8 Pro will start selling in January for $899 and up, the company said Thursday. But you'll have to pay more if you want a keyboard cover and the popular Office suite of software.
The current Surface uses the slimmed down Windows RT operating system. As a result, it runs only specially designed applications from Microsoft and others sold through the company's online store. The Pro version of Surface will also run regular Windows applications written for desktops and laptops.
"It's a full PC AND a tablet," Surface general manager Panos Panay wrote in a blog post Thursday.
The Surface represents Microsoft's first foray into manufacturing its own general-purpose computer. In doing so, the company is competing with some of its partners, the manufacturers of PCs and tablets.
The announced price is in line with Microsoft Corp.'s earlier statements that the Pro version would cost about the same as slim, lightweight laptops known as ultrabooks.
The price includes a stylus and software that disregards touches from one's palm while writing on the touch screen. But the detachable touch-sensitive keyboard cover is sold separately. The Touch Cover with keys printed on it costs $120, while the Type Cover with depressable keys is priced at $130.
The Pro version of Surface will come with Intel's Core i5 processor, which Microsoft said gives it a graphics boost compared with the RT version.
The $899 version will come with 64 gigabytes of memory, while $999 gets you 128 GB of memory. It was not immediately clear how much memory would be used up by the operating system and pre-installed apps. For the RT versions, the 32 GB model has only 16 GB of usable memory, while the 64 GB model has 45 GB available.
The RT version of Surface, which starts at $499, comes with the popular Office programs Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote included. The Pro version does not, according to the specifications listed on a Microsoft website. The cheapest version of Office available is priced at $120.
The RT versions went on sale Oct. 26, the same day Windows 8 was out.
The RT versions are available only at Microsoft's stores and websites. The Redmond, Wash., did not say whether the Pro versions will be sold elsewhere as well.
All versions of Surface come with a slot to expand memory and a USB port for peripherals. The Pro version of Surface comes with a newer, faster USB 3.0 port, while the RT version has 2.0.
The current Surface uses the slimmed down Windows RT operating system. As a result, it runs only specially designed applications from Microsoft and others sold through the company's online store. The Pro version of Surface will also run regular Windows applications written for desktops and laptops.
"It's a full PC AND a tablet," Surface general manager Panos Panay wrote in a blog post Thursday.
The Surface represents Microsoft's first foray into manufacturing its own general-purpose computer. In doing so, the company is competing with some of its partners, the manufacturers of PCs and tablets.
The announced price is in line with Microsoft Corp.'s earlier statements that the Pro version would cost about the same as slim, lightweight laptops known as ultrabooks.
The price includes a stylus and software that disregards touches from one's palm while writing on the touch screen. But the detachable touch-sensitive keyboard cover is sold separately. The Touch Cover with keys printed on it costs $120, while the Type Cover with depressable keys is priced at $130.
The Pro version of Surface will come with Intel's Core i5 processor, which Microsoft said gives it a graphics boost compared with the RT version.
The $899 version will come with 64 gigabytes of memory, while $999 gets you 128 GB of memory. It was not immediately clear how much memory would be used up by the operating system and pre-installed apps. For the RT versions, the 32 GB model has only 16 GB of usable memory, while the 64 GB model has 45 GB available.
The RT version of Surface, which starts at $499, comes with the popular Office programs Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote included. The Pro version does not, according to the specifications listed on a Microsoft website. The cheapest version of Office available is priced at $120.
The RT versions went on sale Oct. 26, the same day Windows 8 was out.
The RT versions are available only at Microsoft's stores and websites. The Redmond, Wash., did not say whether the Pro versions will be sold elsewhere as well.
All versions of Surface come with a slot to expand memory and a USB port for peripherals. The Pro version of Surface comes with a newer, faster USB 3.0 port, while the RT version has 2.0.
MS tried a full blown OS on a tablet years ago and it failed. Â Now that Apple has made them popular they are trying again. Â Most people just don't need a full blown OS on a tablet device. Â Just another case of MS Â really out of touch with how people use these devices.
 @cyclops RT on the Surface is not "full blown". Professional on the Surface is basically a touchscreen laptop that "can" be used as a tablet or laptop. The Surface looks great, but I think it's confusing to consumers on which model to purchase, plus the RT is a bit on the expensive side if you ask me.
I got sick of beta-testing everything Microsoft puts out and ditched everything windows based. I'm now 100% apple products.
 @dgruntled I'm happy to know that you like overpaying for your electronics.
 @NaviDog  @dgruntled its not over priced considering the high quality hardware apple puts into their products. If you compare the hardware with the same specs of a Dell or HP the prices are comparable. Sure you can get a $399 Dell PC but you also get $300 of crap hardware and practically no service unless you consider a phone call to India as service.
 @fumblefacedolt  @NaviDog  @dgruntled I've owned 3 Dells and had zero problems with any of them. Apple hardware may "look" better, but it's the same crap underneath.
 @NaviDog  @dgruntled yes because microsoft is all about giving the consumer the best deal for the dollar
Â
lmao
They are cool, but too expensive. They won't sell well. Win8 isn't selling well either. People have learned to stay away from Microsoft's toys.Â
What the story didnt mention is the battery life it terrible, less then half an Ipad or most full size Android tablets.Ive read its someplace from 3 to 4 hours, this tablet is ment to brought to an office lunch or meeting then docked again soon as your finished. Might well buy a laptop or 3 for the same price.
 @SkaBob This is a laptop, but it works as a tablet if you like. It's the best of both worlds. If you want a tablet to play games and surf, get a true tablet.
Good. Because 99 reasons to steer clear of Surface and Windows 8 is not quite enough.
Too expensive for what you get. Â Great idea, but you are better off getting a kindle or nook hd.
Â
 @Deejay Mcallister Thats funny. A Kindle or Nook pales in comparison to a Surface, or just about ANY laptop for that matter. Not even in the same ballpark. LOL.
 @Stock Woodie  @Deejay Mcallister I know, I would much rather have a laptop then this monstrosity of a tablet. For $349 an average laptop has longer battery life, 500gb storage and I can still get Win 7.
 @Stock Woodie Sorry, that Dell is nowhere near the same.  Sure it may have a similar processor, memory, storage...but that's only part of the picture.  That Dell is huge in comparison and doesn't have a touch screen.  You can't simply point at processors and memory and call them the same.
 @doubleoevan  @SkaBob Here's a similar spec'd Dell for $399.
http://www.gotapex.com/content/62546-15-6-Dell-Inspiron-15R-Laptop-with-3rd-Gen-Intel-Core-i5-4GB-Memory-500GB-HD-DVD-Burner-and-More-for-399-99-with-FREE-Shipping!
Â
I would say on average, an i5 laptop is typically around the $500 mark. Of course, there are plenty of specials out there all the time. The Dell (above) is probably more powerful than the Surface (professional), but it also weighs a lot more. If you want an "ultrabook" with similar specs, expect to pay around 700-800.
Â
I purchased an ASUS i3 for my sisters kids for $239 from Best Buy earlier this year. That was a deal.
 @SkaBob An average laptop is nowhere near $349.  That's the bottom of the barrel for the most part.  Average is much higher.  And just curious...point me to a laptop that has similar specs for less.
The statement below in INCORRECT. The gigabytes stated are not "memory", they are "storage space".==> The $899 version will come with 64 gigabytes of memory, while $999 gets you 128 GB of memory. It was not immediately clear how much memory would be used up by the operating system and pre-installed apps. For the RT versions, the 32 GB model has only 16 GB of usable memory, while the 64 GB model has 45 GB available.
Too expensive. Microsoft needs to understand they aren't not selling the device "everyone wants" just yet. They don't have the "top model". They need to reduce the price to get market share and interest in their new product. I thought about a Surface RT, but at $599 for Surface+Keyboard, it's too much for an unestablished product.
 @Stock Woodie I got one as a gift and love it. I'd wanted a tablet, but had planned to buy a laptop because I needed something I could work on. For me at least, the Surface offers all the fun of a tablet with the productive capacity of a laptop. I guess this depends on what kind of work a person does - I'm a writer and work in word and online. I actually type faster on the Surface type cover than I do on a regular keyboard. That said, I probably would not have been willing to risk my own $600 to try it out!Â
 @merline Exactly. It's definitely more productive than "tablet", although, the marketing of the Surface (RT) is difficult. People don't really know what it is/does. I think the price point is just too high for people to "try it out". I'd buy one for $399 (w/ keyboard), but not $599.