Microsoft Announces Surface Pricing

The wait took long enough to convince some tech watchers that Microsoft’s previously announced tablet was nothing more than vaporware, but the Surface has finally been made available for preorder, with pricing details shown off on the company’s website yesterday.

 

Set for an October 26 release alongside the new Windows 8 operating system, the Surface will be priced in an area of the market that pits it against high-end competitors such as the iPad, as opposed to Google’s Nexus 7 or the Amazon Kindle Fire. While this is disapointing to those that hoped for a price aimed at achieving deep market saturation, this writer included, the newly announced pricing structure is consumerate with Surface’s specifications and abilities.

Microsoft Surface Pricing Details

The Surface RT, not to be confused with the upcoming Surface Pro, runs a version of Windows 8 that does not offer support for legacy, Intel-based software, but will rely instead of apps designed specifically for the Windows platform.

Pricing for the RT breaks down as follows:

• Surface RT 32GB: $499
• Surface RT 32GB with Touch Cover keyboard case: $599
• Surface RT 64GB with Touch Cover keyboard case: $699
• Surface RT Touch Cover keyboard case: $119.99
• Surface RT Type Cover: $129.99

On launch day next week, the Surface RT will be available in the United States, Canada, Australia, China, France, Hong Kong, Germany and the United Kingdom.

What About the Surface Pro?

While many prospective buyers are put off but these higher than expected price points on the Surface RT, those waiting for news on the more robust Surface Pro are worried. Sporting an Intel Core i5 chipset that will support Windows 8 Pro and legacy Windows software, the Pro version of the Surface aims to change the business computing game drastically by replacing laptops for those with an eye towards business and other forms of mid- to high-level computing.

With the Surface RT 64GB pricing at $699 with a keyboard, it seems likely that Microsoft will try to position the Pro version of their first tablet against ultrabooks, suggesting a price point well about $1,000.

Pricing aside, it’s nice to see another serious competitor get into the tablet game and it will be very interesting to see how the Surface RT fairs in its first few weeks on the market, especially as reviewers and commentators begin using the device in real world circumstances, determining its value as a true light business machine.

The wait until October 26 re-begins now.

The iPhone 5 is coming: Apple sends out invites for 12 Sept

New York: Apple Inc on Tuesday invited reporters to a news conference next week in San Francisco with a message that suggests that it will reveal the iPhone 5, as expected.

The email invitation shows a big “12,” for 12 September, casting a shadow in the shape of a “5.”

Various unconfirmed reports have pointed to 12 September as being the day Apple Inc shows off the new phone, which is expected to go on sale a week or two later.

The next iPhone is expected to have a taller screen and the ability to access the latest wireless data networks in the US Analysts expect it to set sales records.

Other unconfirmed reports say Apple will reveal a smaller version of the iPad, taking on competitors like Amazon.com Inc’s Kindle Fire, which have nibbled on the edges of the iPad’s dominance in the tablet category.

On Wednesday, Nokia and Motorola are holding events of their own in New York, apparently to reveal their latest products ahead of the iPhone launch.

Apple shares rose $5.18 to $676.42 in afternoon trading. The shares are close to their all-time high of $680.87, hit a week ago.