In sync with the initial success of Windows 8, Microsoft has revealed the pricing and availability date for its Surface Pro tablet. A post on the official Microsoft blog says the Surface Pro 64 GB will cost $899 (Rs 49,000), and its 128 GB version will be priced at $999 (Rs 55,000). These prices are for the standalone version only; Touch Covers and Type Covers are sold separately at $120 (Rs 6500) and $130 (Rs 7000) respectively.

The Surface with Windows 8 Pro will be available in US stores starting January 2013. The Surface tablets were announced in June, and last month we saw the Surface with Windows RT go on sale. There's still no official word on India availability. (The 32 GB version of the Surface with Windows RT is available on eBay India for about Rs 40,000, though.)

Here are the tech specs of the Surface Pro:

• Windows 8 Pro capable of running Windows 7 desktop apps along with Modern UI style apps.
• 3rd-gen Intel Core i5 processor with Intel HD Graphics 4000 and 4GB RAM dual-channel memory.
• 10.6" ClearType Full HD Display with resolution of 1920x1080 pixels and 10-point multi-touch.
• Pen input with Palm Block technology (included with purchase).
• Internal Storage: 64 GB or 128 GB.
• 2x 720p HD cameras, front and rear-facing, with TruColor.
• Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy technology.
• Full-size USB 3.0, microSDXC card slot, Headset jack, Mini DisplayPort, Cover port.
• Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass.
• 2x microphone, Stereo speakers.
• Included apps: Windows Mail and Windows Messaging, SkyDrive, Windows Internet Explorer 10, Bing, Xbox Music, Xbox Video, and Xbox Games.
• Dimensions: 10.81" (h) x 6.81" (w) x 0.53" (d); weighs approx 907 grams.
• Battery: 42 Wh.
• 1-year limited hardware warranty.
• Available colours: Dark Titanium.

The backup and standby times haven't been specified, but the Surface Pro will apparently have half the battery life of the Surface with Windows RT. While the battery is larger — 42 Wh as opposed to 32 Wh — the specs on the Pro are more powerful, too. We'll have to wait till January to see actual battery life figures.

TAGS: Tablets, Microsoft, Surface, Windows, Swagatam