Almost three months after the release of Windows 8, Microsoft has announced the Surface Windows 8 Pro tablet will officially go on sale on 9 February in the US and Canada.
The entry-level Surface Windows RT tablet first went on sale together with the launch of Windows 8, and Microsoft has also announced it will be available in an additional 13 markets in the coming weeks - SA is not one of those markets.
The Surface Pro features an Intel Core i5 processor and runs the full version of Windows 8 Pro. It has been punted as offering the "performance of a laptop in a tablet package" and is primarily targeted at corporate customers.
The tablet will be available in 64GB and 128GB models and has an estimated starting retail price of $899 (about R7 960). Microsoft says a Surface pen is included with the tablet, but like the Surface RT, the Touch Covers are sold separately. The entry-level 32GB model of the Surface RT has an estimated retail price of $499 (about R4 420).
Microsoft Surface GM Panos Panay says: "The response to Surface has been exciting to see. We're thrilled to continue growing the Surface family with the availability of Surface Windows 8 Pro on 9 February and by increasing the number of places customers can experience Surface first-hand."
Together with the launch of the Surface Pro, Microsoft is releasing new limited edition Touch Covers in red, magenta and cyan for an estimated retail price of $129.99. The Surface Edition of the Wedge Touch Mouse is also being made available for $69.95 in all regions where the Surface is being sold.
The Surface Pro will be sold at Microsoft retail stores, the Microsoft online store and at select retailers in the US and Canada. Microsoft has not revealed the global rollout timeline.
Microsoft will announce its fourth quarter results tomorrow, which will offer some insight into how well the Surface RT has been received by the market and if sales have hit or missed Microsoft's targets.
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