Microsoft has finally released the details about the Surface Pro.
Pricing
The 64 gig version is $899. The 128 gig version is $999. Not sure if this includes the keyboard that is a pain in the butt (well the fingers.) Doesn’t matter, you will need to add the Hard Type keyboard for another $139.
To refresh your memory, the RT costs $499 for 32 gigs, no keyboard. $599 for 32 gigs with the touch keyboard. $699 for 64 gigs with the touch keyboard.
Pretty pricey increase.
Tech
On the other hand, you do get some nice tech for the price:
- 1920 x 1080 resolution on the screen
- third-gen Core i5 processor
- 4 gigs of Ram
- Mini Display Port capable of an output to 2560 x 1440
- USB 3.0 port
- Ability to run traditional desktop apps
- Pen input (includes pen)
Size
- Slightly over half an inch
- Weighs 2 lbs
Battery
Here’s a negative. Half the battery life of the RT. About 4.5 hours. Not so good.
When?
Seems we are looking at January. When, not sure.
Thoughts?
This is about the price I expected for this piece of technology. People will compare the pricing to the iPad, but I am not sure that is an apt comparison. The Surface is not an iPad, it is a more powerful device with a different purpose, as I have explained before.
Will people buy it? Sure. Will enough people buy it? Hard to say. Will I buy it? Not sure yet. I could get a pretty decent laptop for this price, but then I would still need to get a tablet. I will give it some thought.
Other Reviews
It is interesting to see the titles various folks use for their reviews. Most of them are not neutral.
- Microsoft Surface Pro Will Be Out in January—And Costs More Than a MacBook Air
- Microsoft’s Surface Pro Pricing Will Devastate Sales
Less judgmental articles (at least in the title.)
- Microsoft confirms Surface with Windows 8 Pro pricing: starting at $899 for 64GB version, shipping in January
- Surface Pro aims to sidestep RT compromises