Surface Pro Coming February 9th

Published on January 22, 2013 By Island Dog In Personal Computing

The Surface Pro finally has a release day, which will be February 9th through various retailers in the U.S. and Canada.

”Powered by an Intel Core i5 processor, Surface Windows 8 Pro provides the power and performance of a laptop in a tablet package and will run all Windows 8 applications as well as current Windows 7 desktop applications. Last month, we announced Surface Windows 8 Pro pricing starting at $899 and that it will be available in 64 GB and 128 GB models. A Surface Pen is included and makes for an amazing experience for writers, graphic designers or even engineers, and with Palm Block technology writing and drawing is fun for everyone on Surface Windows 8 Pro.”

Obviously the big difference between the Pro and RT is that the Pro will run your traditional desktop applications. I have the Surface RT, and have no need for those apps on a tablet, but others will definitely have a use and preference for this.

More info on the Technet blogs.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/microsoft_blog/archive/2013/01/22/growing-the-surface-family-surface-windows-8-pro-availability-confirmed.aspx

Comments (Page 2)

the_Monk

on Jan 25, 2013

starkers

reply 16

However, those 'other' devices will have higher price points than Surface Pro, and thus I believe it will gain a market advantage with budget buyers and the like.

I wouldn't necessarily refer to 'businessmen' and/or 'developers' as 'budget buyers'.....

starkers

reply 16

Yes, while most 'large' tablets have a 10.1" screen with a 16.4 aspect ratio, the Surface has a 10.6" screen without increasing height, thus making it wider than most and supposedly better for viewing widescreen video content with its 16.9 aspect ratio. Now while the Samsung Win 8 tablets boast a screen size of 11.1", the entire tablet itself is just 11.1" across, which suggests its screen is roughly the same size as the Surface display.

The thing is, I like Samsung products and have a few of them ranging from a 42" TV down to a 200gb HDD, and I like the look of their tablets, but with a starting price of $1,199.99 for the Win 8 Pro series, I would likely go with a Surface Pro at $899 if I were going that way. I've seen the specs and a video presentation of Surface Pro and I quite like it as a tablet/laptop replacement, but given it's price I may just have to settle for the RT version anyhow, despite how much I'd like to be in control over what I can install. At the end of the day, a Surface RT would give me greater options and freedom than my current Android tablet, so it wouldn't necessarily be a sacrifice if I can't have a Surface Pro.

So you are referring to the screen resolution then which I referenced earlier in this thread.

the_Monk

reply 7

Also the reduced battery life of the PRO (due to the more powerful proc and higher screen res etc.) is not worth it in my opinion.

Your initial argument however was that businessmen and the like would go for it. My only point in all of this wasn't that the Surface Pro wasn't going to sell, just that the (in my opinion) target market for MS tablets was/is more likely to either go with the RT or if indeed a businessman requiring 'better specs' shelling out (yes sometimes substantially) more money and going with the competition.

I'm sure either (RT or Pro) would suit most just fine. I just feel those looking for more than the RT will have incentive to look elsewhere instead of stopping at the Pro.

the_Monk

reply 14

I guess what I'm saying is that anyone in business needing more than the Surface RT has to offer will likely bypass the Surface Pro and get into something the competition has to offer. I have already seen same with a few of my clients for whom the RT just wasn't enough.

starkers

on Jan 26, 2013

the_Monk

reply 16

I wouldn't necessarily refer to 'businessmen' and/or 'developers' as 'budget buyers'.....

Maybe not the corporate set, but there are small businessmen who still have to work to a budget, and many of the Surface Pro alternatives are up around $1500 to $1900 and not so affordably priced. And then there are the 'digital' hobbyists and freelancers who'd more likely opt for a more reasonably priced device to ply their trades, and compared to the alternatives, Surface Pro would certainly fit the bill.

the_Monk

reply 16

So you are referring to the screen resolution then which I referenced earlier in this thread.

No, I was referring to screen size in inches and the aspect ratios... then saying the specs suggest that the Samsung devices do not have a larger screen after all.

the_Monk

reply 16

Your initial argument however was that businessmen and the like would go for it. My only point in all of this wasn't that the Surface Pro wasn't going to sell, just that the (in my opinion) target market for MS tablets was/is more likely to either go with the RT or if indeed a businessman requiring 'better specs' shelling out (yes sometimes substantially) more money and going with the competition.

I'm sure either (RT or Pro) would suit most just fine. I just feel those looking for more than the RT will have incentive to look elsewhere instead of stopping at the Pro.

My initial thought was that Surface Pro would suit/appeal to various smaller businessmen due to its price being $400 and more below competitors offerings... and despite being 400 bucks or more cheaper, it's not too shabby, either.... as a tablet and/or a less-chunky laptop replacement. I see the RT version selling better than the Pro because it offers more than enough for the average user, but Pro will sell well enough to those looking for more but not at a premium price.

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