Microsoft Unveils Surface Tablet Pricing $499 For The Base Model

Microsoft has officially announced pricing and availability of their much anticipated Surface Tablet and the pricing might just be what the doctor ordered to get Microsoft into the tablet game.

The Microsoft Surface with Windows RT will initially be available in three SKUs: a 32GB version priced at US$499, a 32GB version bundled with a black Touch Cover priced at US$599 and a 64GB version bundled with a black Touch Cover priced at US$699. Standalone Touch Covers in black, white, magenta, cyan, and red will retail for $119.99. Type Covers—a clicky keyboard with actual key switches—will come in black only, and cost $129.99.

Sadly today's announcement did not contain information or details about the Windows 8 version of Microsoft's Surface Tablets, which personally I think more consumers will be drawn too. Windows 8 is slated to launch on October 26 and Microsoft has already confirmed a Windows 8 Pro is expected to launch after the Windows RT version.

Surface With Windows RT Specifications

• Software - Surface with Windows RT comes with Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT Preview (2) (which includes Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote)
  
• Exterior - 10.81 x 6.77 x 0.37 inches, 1.5 pounds, VaporMg casing, dark titanium color, volume and power buttons
  
• Storage - 32 GB (3); 64 GB
  
• CPU - NVIDIA T30, 2 GB of RAM
  
• Wireless - Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0 technology
  
• Cameras - Two 720p HD cameras, front- and rear-facing
  
• Audio - Two microphones, stereo speakers
  
• Ports - Full-size USB 2.0, microSDXC card slot, headset jack, HD video out port, cover port
• Sensors - Ambient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass
  
• Power Supply - 24W power supply
  
• Warranty - One-year limited hardware warranty
• Apps (included) - Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT Preview (2) (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote), Windows Mail and Windows Messaging, SkyDrive, Windows Internet Explorer 10, Bing, Xbox Music, Xbox Video, and Xbox Gam
  

Microsoft has said a special limited-quantity will be available for pre-order and they would be available starting at 9 a.m. PDT. Those who want to learn more or pre-order can visit http://www.Surface.com. Surface will be available for purchase beginning Oct. 26, 2012, at all Microsoft Store locations in the United States and Canada, including in all 34 new holiday stores. In addition, Surface will be available for sale online in eight markets across the world: Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and the United States. See Surface.com for more details.

Source: Microsoft Announces New Surface Details