Microsoft Surface Pro to price at $899 and up; tablet to launch in January

Microsoft has announced pricing for its Microsoft Surface tablets powered by Windows 8 Pro. There will be two different variants of the tablet with the 64GB model priced at $899 and the 128GB model tagged at $999. Both tablets come with the Surface pen using Palm Block technology which allows the screen to recognize the pen as an input but won't recognize a palm touch. The pair also support the Touch Cover ($119.99) with its flat, touch-sensitive QWERTY, and the Type Cover ($129.99) which employs a more traditional QWERTY with raised keys.

While on the outside the Microsoft Surface Windows 8 Pro tablets resemble the less expensive Microsoft Surface RT device, inside the Pro is powered by a Intel Core i5 processor which the Redmond based manufacturer says will provide a graphics boost for the 1,920-by-1,080 display. A USB 3.0 port is on the device. The Microsoft Surface RT, with its ARM based processor, is more of a traditional tablet, competing with the Apple iPad and Android tablets. Microsoft calls the Surface running Windows 8 Pro both a PC and a tablet, noting that can run your current Windows 7 desktop application.

The Microsoft Surface Windows 8 Pro tablets weigh less than two pounds and are less than 14mm thick. Microsoft says it expects to launch the tablets in January.

source: Microsoft via PCMag