This morning in NYC, Microsoft took to the stage to unveil what they have been working on: the next-generation Surface tablets. We have the Surface 2 and the Surface Pro 2, both offering more enhancements than its previous models. Microsoft also made sure that their covers and accessories were upgraded as well. More details on all below.
Even though the Surface Pro 2 is the more powerful one, the Surface 2 sounds more attractive.
The all-new Surface 2 offers new specs under the hood for a more powerful Windows tablet. For starters, it has the same 10.6inch Clear Type display but now w/ 1080p resolution, powered by a 1.7GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 4 CPU, running Windows RT 8.1, armed w/ a USB 2.0 + 3.0 port, dual cameras (3.5MP in front + 5MP on the rear) that records video in 720p HD, quoting a 10-hour battery life, new Dolby Audio speakers, and the new kickstand now has two lock positions.
The new Surface is now only 0.35inches thick and weighs in at under 1.5lbs. It will comes in your choice of 32GB or 64GB of storage options as pricing starts at $449.
Next up we have the Surface Pro 2 offering more to be that more powerful. Offering a 10.6inch Clear Type display w/ 1080p resolution, powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Core i5 Haswell processor, running Windows 8.1, quoting a 60% battery boost from the previous Surface Pro, and measures at 0.53inches thick like the previous model but weighs in at 2lbs.
The Pro starts at $899 as you have your choice of configurations: 4GB of RAM w/ 64GB or 128GB of storage or 8GB of RAM w/ 256 or 512GB of storage.
No they still don’t ship w/ a touch cover, you will have to buy that on your own again. Both tablets come w/ one-year of free Wi-Fi + international calling via Skype along w/ 200GB of SkyDrive storage for 2 years. Pre-orders kick tomorrow and will launch officially on October 22nd.
As far as the new accessories go, the new Touch Cover has 1092 sensors over the original that just has only 80. Here’s the full list of the new Surface 2 accessories:
Touch Cover 2. Thinner and lighter than the original Touch Cover, measuring only 2.75 mm thin, Touch Cover 2 features backlit keys for even better readability. Touch Cover 2 is more rigid, registers keystrokes with greater accuracy and features updated sensors that support a variety of gestures across the entire keyboard. Touch Cover 2 has an estimated retail price of $119.99. It will be available for pre-order on Sept. 24 in all markets where Surface devices are available for pre-order.
Type Cover 2. Type Cover 2 features the same super-thin, lightweight design of the original Type Cover, but it’s now backlit and will be available in Cyan, Magenta, Purple and Black in the coming months. It’s also more rigid, providing a better lap-typing experience, and is designed to be noticeably quieter when striking keys. Type Cover 2 will have an estimated retail price of $129.99. It will be available for pre-order on Sept. 24 in all markets where Surface devices are available for pre-order.
Power Cover. Power Cover delivers the same great typing experience you get with Type Cover while extending the battery life of your Surface 2, Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 by up to 50 percent to help you make it through that late-night meeting or the entire flight. Power Cover will have an estimated retail price of $199.99 and has a projected release date of early 2014.
Docking Station for Surface Pro. The Docking Station for Surface Pro lets you quickly connect Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 to desktop PC peripherals in a single step, taking you from laptop to desktop in an instant. While Surface Pro or Surface Pro 2 is docked, it can connect with an external monitor, Ethernet, speakers and power supply. PC peripherals connect via its one USB 3.0 port and three USB 2.0 ports. The Docking Station for Surface Pro will have an estimated retail price of $199.99 and has a projected release date of early 2014.
Wireless Adapter for Typing Covers. The Wireless Adapter for Typing Covers connects magnetically to any Touch or Type Cover, letting you type from anywhere in the room using Bluetooth technology, so it is even easier to connect Surface to a TV or monitor and type from another location, such as the couch. Wireless Adapter for Typing Covers will have an estimated retail price of $59.99. It will be available for pre-order in the U.S. and Canada beginning Sept. 24.
Car Charger with USB. Car Charger plugs into most cars’ power or lighter ports and charges Surface without the need for an additional adapter. It also features a USB port to allow simultaneous charging of a phone or other device. Car Charger will have an estimated retail price of $49.99 and has a projected release date of early 2014.
Arc Touch Mouse Surface Edition. This special-edition Arc Touch Mouse has been updated to match the look of Surface. Like other Arc Touch mice, it is designed for comfort and flattens for portability. It connects via Bluetooth 3.0, freeing Surface’s USB port for use by other devices. Arc Touch Mouse Surface Edition will have an estimated retail price of $69.99 and will be available for pre-order in the U.S. and Canada on Sept. 24. Distribution in additional markets is projected to begin in the coming months.
