Tech giant Microsoft will soon expand its Surface family as it announced the availability of Surface Windows 8 Pro for purchase on Feb. 9, 2013.The tablet will be up for grabs in all Microsoft retail stores in the United States and Canada, as well as in microsoftstore.com, Staples and Best Buy stores. Unlike its predecessor Surface RT, Surface Windows 8 Pro will show off the power and performance of a laptop, though it remains to be a tablet, according to Panos Panay, General Manager of Microsoft Surface.
“Surface Windows 8 Pro is an exciting new addition to the Surface family, bringing a powerful, work-ready device that is just at home in the boardroom as it is the family room,” said Panay.
Panay said the new Surface tablet would run all Windows 8 and Windows 7 applications, its advantage over Surface RT. As announced last month, pricing for Surface Windows 8 Pro starts at $899 for the 64 GB package and $999 for the 128 GB model.
The Surface package also includes a Surface pen with Palm Block technology, which Microsoft finds fit for writers, graphic designers or even engineers. With the pen technology, users can take down notes, create drawing and fine-tune the cursor in any setting.
Powered by Ivy Bridge Core i5 processor with Intel’s latest HD 4000 graphics and 4GB RAM, Surface Windows 8 Pro sports a 10.6-inch 16:9 panel with 1920×1080 resolution and 10-point multitouch.
Surface Windows 8 Pro also comes with two 720p HD Lifecams, microSDXC, mini DisplayPort, a USB 3.0 port, headphone jack, stereo speakers, cover port, ambient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass. It can support Bluetooth 4.0 and 802.11 a/b/g/n. Initial reports said the gadget’s 42W-h battery could power up the unit for only 4.5 hours.
The new Surface package is bundled with a limited edition of Touch Cover, “a revolutionary dual-purpose pressure-sensitive keyboard and protective cover.” The Touch Cover comes in three unique colors: red, magenta and cyan, each valued at $129.99.
Panay said the Touch Cover would be available in the 8 markets in which Surface is currently sold, while additional markets will be added in the coming weeks.
Microsoft has also created a special edition of Wedge Touch Mouse that matches Surface devices. The Touch Mouse, which features Microsoft’s BlueTrack Technology, provides four-way touch scrolling and smooth navigation right at your fingertips. It will be available on Feb. 9 at $69.95 in all markets where Surface Windows RT is currently sold.
Microsoft said it will announce soon the availability of Surface Windows 8 Pro in markets outside the United States.
