Microsoft Surface Pro Tablet Hits Retail On 9th February, What's In It For You? | TechTree.com

Microsoft Surface Pro Tablet Hits Retail On 9th February, What's In It For You?

Surface with Windows 8 Pro supports legacy Windows 7 applications, a major advantage for business users over Microsoft's Surface Windows RT tablet.

 

Microsoft is set to make its Surface Windows 8 Pro tablets available in retail from 9th February 2013. The Surface Windows 8 Pro tablets run on an Intel Core i5 CPU and are priced at US$899 (~ Rs 48,000). "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", said Microsoft in an official TechNet blog.

The tablet will be available in two variants - 64GB and 128 GB. The tablet also comes with a Surface Pen (to draw, design and write) that Microsoft says will be a useful tool for people who like to creatively use their Surface Windows 8 Pro.

The technical specs of Surface Windows 8 Pro are as follows:

  • 10.6" display, ClearType Full HD 1080p touch-screen
  • Front and rear HD LifeCam cameras, at 720p resolution
  • Intel Core i5 processor, with its inbuilt Intel HD Graphics 4000
  • 4GB RAM
  • 64GB and 128GB internal SSD storage options
  • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity support
  • Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass and Ambient light sensors incorporated
  • USB 3.0, microSDXC card slot, Mini DisplayPort, Headset jack and Cover port
  • Pen input support

Apart from these, the Surface Windows 8 Pro comes with pre-installed apps such as Windows Mail and Messaging, SkyDrive, Xbox Music and the Internet Explorer 10 web browser. The "Legacy" desktop (which you've been using since Windows 95) is available, just one tap away. Of course, the old Start Menu is gone since the Windows 8 Pro you see on this tablet is the same OS you'd get on a desktop/laptop PC.

 

What This Tablet Means For Consumers
The Surface Pro runs the x86-based OS Windows 8 Pro. That could be its greatest edge over the (preceding) Surface RT and Android tablets, whose OSes are not technically compatible with familar desktop Windows applications that you've grown to love. If you utilize tablets to earn a living, the ability to support legacy Windows 7 desktop applications makes the Surface Pro more practical in business settings.

Since it will initially be available only in stores in the U.S and Canada, India will have to wait a bit longer for now. Stay tuned to find out how this tablet fares in comparison to similarly priced high-end tablets, such as the Asus Transformer Prime (available at ~Rs 46,000 with online retailers). It should also be interesting to see the turns that OEMs take, if the always-unequal equation between Microsoft and PC/Tablet makers sours further, with Microsoft directly entering turf of the HPs and the Dells of the world.


TAGS: Microsoft, Tablets, Windows 8, Rahul

 
News Corner
IMP IMP IMP
##