Following the successful launch of its maiden tablet, the Microsoft Surface RT, Microsoft Malaysia has officially launched the Microsoft Surface Pro, available in retail channels now.
Tablet are rapidly gaining popularity with consumers, and some analyst data shows that sales of tablets may overtake PC before end of 2013, looking at the downtrend of traditional PC sales. On that note, Microsoft’s Surface has sold over 900,000 units in Q1 2013, taking 1.8% of tablet marketshare in the US (IDC, 2013). Interesting to note is that the more expensive Surface Pro made up a large amount of the Surface unit sales.
The Surface Pro is a hybrid device – it takes the ultraportable form factor of a tablet, yet is really a full-fledged PC. Aimed at corporations and businesses, the Surface Pro includes essential enterprise-grade security features and comes with Windows 8 Pro, microSDXC expansion slot and the Surface pen (a stylus and digitiser made by Wacom).
Built tough, just like the Surface RT, the Surface Pro exterior is made of VaporMg, a highly durable and light material, similarly used on aircraft. Measuring 10.81 inches (27.5 cm) (w) x6.81 inches (17.3 cm) (h) x 0.53 inches (13 mm) (d), it is 4mm thicker than the Atom-powered Surface RT. At 910g, it is also heavier compared the the Surface RT’s comparatively lighter 680g.
The innovative integrated kickstand makes the Surface Pro stand perfectly for presentations, watching videos or doing work.
The brilliant, crisp 10.6″ (16:9 ratio) screen features Microsoft’s ClearType HD technology and protected by Gorilla Glass that supports 10-point multitouch. Powering the Surface Pro is Intel’s 3rd generation Core i5-3317U dual core 1.7Ghz (with Turbo Boost to 2.6Ghz) processor with Intel HD Graphics 4000. RAM is fixed at 4GB DDR3 with storage options of 64GB and 128GB. Markets such as Japan have the 256GB option. The Surface Pro also comes with a microSDXC slot.
Not to be excluded is the 1.2MP 720p HD front and rear shooters. In terms of connectivity, the Surface Pro comes with the usual suspects – 2×2 MIMO Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0, USB 3.0 and Mini Display Port.
The included Stylus Pen supports 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity and has anti-palm input technology. When not in use, the stylus can be stored on the magnetic connector on the side of the Surface Pro.
Both the Surface Pro and Surface RT include an ambient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope and compass.
There are two keyboard cover options for the Surface – the Touch Cover and the Type Cover, one pressure-sensitive, and the other tactile. Both include a multitouch track pad. The keyboards double-up as protective covers for the Surface. Colour options for the Malaysian market include Blue, White and Black. Hello Kitty lovers will scream anarchy for the exclusion of the pink.
Pricing and Availability
The Surface Pro retails at RM2,749.00 and RM3,049.00 for the 64GB and 128GB storage configurations respectively. Touch covers retails at RM379.00 each. The black Type Cover retails at RM409.00.
During an exclusive media preview session today, it was revealed that the first batch of Surface Pro stocks have been depleted. Microsoft expects a fresh new batch to come soon.
Microsoft also touched on the coming Windows 8.1 release which brings enhancements and new features to Windows 8 – including enhancements to Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 RT for Surface Pro and RT. A preview release is expected at the end of June.
Watch this space for a review of the Microsoft Surface Pro, soon.
For additional details on the Surface, visit http://www.surface.com.my.
