Microsoft Hopes The Surface 2 Tablet Clicks With Customers As Apple Readies New iPads
September 23, 2013
Microsoft has announced a follow-up to its mostly maligned Surface tablet. The appropriately named Surface 2 will launch in 22 markets Oct. 22.
The Surface 2 comes with Windows 8.1 preinstalled plus a touch-optimized version of Office 2013 RT. It promises 10 hours of battery life, compared to the 4 hours for the original Surface. The new tablet features a 10.6-inch 1080p full-HD display, Tegra 4 processor, USB 3.0 port, and redesigned kickstand.
The 32GB Surface 2 will be available for preorder soon for $449, and will be available in 32GB and 64GB configurations. The Surface Pro 2 starts at $899 and will be offered in 64GB and 128GB models.
The Surface 2 and Surface 2 Pro will launch first in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. They will be available in China in early November.
Microsoft also announced its new Touch Cover 2, a soft click-in keyboard that features 1,092 integrated sensors.
Despite showing early promise, the original Surface failed to click with customers. During Microsoft's previous fiscal year, which ended June 30, total Surface sales were only $854 million. By comparison, Apple’s iPad sales during roughly the same period of time were $33.2 billion.
Apple is expected to announce next-generation iPads next month.
Customers can preorder a Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 starting at 8 a.m. EDT on Sept. 24, 2013, at MicrosoftStore.com, Microsoft Stores, and Best Buy in the United States and Canada, as well as select retailers in most Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 launch markets.
Via: The New York Times
