Microsoft Surface Tablet Unveiled: Everything To Know About The New Windows 8 Tablet, From Price To Features
After long-winded predictions and speculations from critics and fans alike, Microsoft has announced its new line of Surface tablets that will be running Windows 8. As the company began to unveil more information about its upcoming operating system, it’s no surprise that a tablet device is in the works. Microsoft made the announcement at its press event on June 18, giving audiences a taste of just what a Microsoft-made tablet can do.Reuters

American technology giant Microsoft has finally launched the much-awaited Surface Pro tablet. The new variant is the upgraded version of Windows RT-based Surface tablet which was unveiled at a Microsoft event in October last year.

The new tablet runs Microsoft's latest Windows 8 Pro OS and is powered by third-generation Intel Core i5 processor with 4GB RAM for smooth execution of system programs.

Key Specifications of 'Surface Pro' Tablet:

Model

Windows 8 Pro based

Surface tablet PC

Display

10.6-inch ClearType Full HD

Display with 1920x1080p

resolutions

OS

Windows 8 Pro

Processor

3rd Gen Intel Core i5 processor

with Intel HD Graphics 4000

Internal memory

4GB RAM-dual channel memory

Storage capacity

64GB & 128GB variants

Camera

Both front and rear side

Camera will have 720p HD LifeCams

Battery

42 W-h

Additional spec

Bluetooth v4.0,USB v3.0,microSDXC

card slot, Wi-Fi(802.11a/b/g/n),

Surface Pen

Dimension

271.57x172.97x13.462 mm

Weight

907 g

*Price

starts from $899(64GB) and $999(128GB)

 *Price does not include Cover-keypads, consumers have to purchase separately for a price of $120 for Touch-cover and $130 for Type-cover keypads.

Its predecessor Surface RT was received with mixed response from critics and average consumers alike, but the Surface Pro had earned much appreciations ahead of its release.

There was one drawback in the Surface Pro tablet that did receive a lot of flak from critics. The tablet's OS and pre-installed programs consumes close to half the storage space, leaving many users frustrated about less memory.

Surface Pro's 64GB variant will only be able to provide user memory of less than 30GB, while the 128GB variant comes with less than 90GB free memory.

Despite its storage issue, Microsoft's Surface has recorded good sales on the opening day across US and Canada. According to latest reports, both Surface variants were out of stock within hours of its release on the company's online store in the US.

The new Surface Pro tablet is expected to hit Europe and select markets of South-East Asia in the coming week, but there is no news about when it will make its way to Indian shores.