Microsoft today announced availability and pricing details for its upcoming Surface with Windows 8 Pro tablet [product information]. Unlike the Microsoft Surface RT [product information], this version will be powered by an Intel Core i5 processor and Windows 8 Pro.
The Microsoft Surface with Windows 8 Pro will be available starting in January 2013 in either 64GB or 128GB configurations. The 64GB will sell for US$899 and the 128GB one for US$999. Both versions will come with a Surface pen with Palm Block technology. Accessories including the Touch Cover and Type Cover will be sold separately. In comparison, the Windows RT version starts at US$499 and comes with an Nvidia Tegra 3 processor and 32GB of storage.
Unlike the Surface RT, the Surface with Windows 8 Pro will run current Windows 7 desktop applications.
Microsoft will announce more specific availability dates in the coming weeks.
Update: According to Microsoft’s @Surface Twitter account, the Surface Pro will have “approximately half” the battery life of the Surface RT. Despite having a larger battery, it will have a more powerful processor and a higher resolution display, both of which will consume more power. With the Surface RT battery life coming in at about 8 hours, we can expect that of the Surface with Windows 8 Pro to come in at about 4 hours.
Read more: The Official Microsoft Blog and @Surface [via Twitter]