FollowWhen Microsoft’s Windows RT Surface was launched with Windows 8, its manufacturer did not give a specific date and price for the x86 version of its tablet. It is now giving price to the x86 version and said that it shall be released in January 2013.
To be known as Surface Windows 8 Pro, the x86 version will be priced at $899 for 64GB storage and $999 for the 128GB. It shall have more weight, half the battery life (4 to 4.5 hours) and better screen of its Windows RT (also code named as ARM), sibling.
Surface Pro is the similar to Surface RT, and shall still have VaporMg kickstand, aesthetic and finish. There are few differences though. The x86 device has an active digitizer having pen support, USB 3 port, 1920 x 1080 resolution screen (higher than the 1366 by 768 of Surface RT), 10-point multi touch instead of 5 and miniDisplay port for external screens rather than mini-HDMI as on Surface RT. An unspecified processor Ivy Bridge Core i5 shall power the device and it shall have a 4GB RAM. Surface Pro weighs 2 pounds and its thickness shall be 14mm.
Neither $899 nor $999 price includes a Type Cover or Touch Cover keyboard which is separately sold at $100. When news about Surface came out in June, Microsoft promised that the x86 version shall be shipped in about 90 days and now the company is not giving a specific date yet. At least the prices have already been disclosed.
However, with the $1100 price (with Type/Touch Cover keyboard), this may be quite steep for some consumers and stiff for Surface Pro as well who has several competitors from other ultrabook designers.
