Microsoft has announced the two new Surface tablets, the Surface 2 running Windows RT and the Surface 2 Pro running Windows 8.1. Both tablets look like revamped versions, with no real software changes apart from the Windows 8.1 tweaks.

The original Surface cost Microsoft $900 million, with lots of stock not selling and Microsoft paying billions in advertisement to try and sell the device. Needless to say the Surface tablet failed to gain any traction, with many contending the iPad superiority.

Surface 2 

This is Microsoft’s revamped Surface 2, with new internals and some interesting freebies. Starting with the internals, the Surface 2 packs the NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor alongside 4GB of RAM and 32/64GB of internal storage.

The new Surface 2 packs 10 hours of video playback battery life, a USB 3.0 port and the slightly better 1080p ClearType display. The original Surface had incredible build quality and beautiful display and the Surface 2 is a slight upgrade.

Microsoft is bundling a year of free Skype calls and 200GB of SkyDrive storage into the Surface 2. Windows RT has four compatible Office RT applications and Microsoft will revamp Windows RT to 8.1, like its more powerful brother Windows 8.

The Surface 2 starts at $449 for 32GB of internal storage and 64GB for $549. It is available to pre-order tomorrow and will launch on October 22 in 22 different markets.

Surface Pro 2

 

The second tablet revealed was the Surface 2 Pro, the more powerful version running full Windows 8.1. Microsoft has added in Intel’s Haswell processor and made a whole range of accessories for the new PC/tablet hybrid.

Externally the Surface Pro 2 is the same device, but internally with the Haswell i5 processor the new tablet performs 50% better than the original, with more graphical performance and 60% improvement in battery life.

Microsoft has created a new kickstand to compliment some of the issues the original raise, they have also made a Power Cover and backlit Type Cover and added USB support for third party mice and keyboards, for a old school PC feel.

All the freebies on the Surface 2 apply for the Surface 2 Pro and prices start at $899 for 64GB of internal storage with 4GB of RAM. This can go all the way up to 8GB of RAM with 512GB of internal storage, priced at $1799.