Microsoft has updated its range of own-branded tablets, with the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 officially unveiled alongside the cheaper Surface 2.
Landing a year after the company’s original tablet offering, the new Microsoft Surface Pro 2 has been bestowed with improvements across the board, with a faster processor lining up alongside improved graphics and a more accurate display.
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Microsoft Surface 2 Features
A replacement to the Surface RT, the Microsoft Surface 2 is powered by Windows 8.1 RT and sports a thinner and lighter form factor than its predecessor.
Sporting a 10.6-inch ClearType HD display with a 1080p Full HD resolution, Microsoft has stated that the second-generation tablet’s screen benefits from 46 per cent more accurate colours than its predecessor.
With cameras front and back, the Microsoft Surface Pro 2’s 5-megapixel rear-mounted camera is backed up by a 3.5-megapixel secondary snapper up front. On a connectivity front, the new Surface 2 still leads the pack, with a full-size USB 3.0 lining up alongside the usual array of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 options. A claimed 10 hour battery life rounds off the Microsoft Surface 2 specs sheet alongside a pre-installed copy of Office 2013.
Microsoft Surface Pro 2 Features
Still intent on bringing the tablet fight to the likes of the iPad 4 and Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, the newly unveiled Surface Pro 2 has seen Microsoft come out all guns blazing, with a fourth-generation Intel Core i5 processor now at the heart of the device.
Targeting a more professional than consumer market, the Windows 8.1 powered Microsoft Surface Pro 2’s improved processor will put many laptops to shame, the manufacturer has suggested. “The Surface Pro 2 is faster — literally — than 95 percent of laptops in the market today. It’s a full PC,” Panay stated.
Set to land in both 64GB and 128GB storage options alongside 4GB of RAM, further Microsoft Surface Pro 2 configurations will see 256GB and 512GB capacity devices boast a whopping 8GB of RAM.
Bundled with a Pro Pen stylus, the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 adds a revised dual-angle kickstand to the mix for a wider range of usage options. Building on the original model’s 22-degree standing angle, the Surface Pro 2 has added a 55-degree angle of tilt.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 2 connectivity options see a trio of USB 2.0 ports included alongside a single USB 3.0 connection, Ethernet and a mini DisplayPort connector.
Microsoft Surface Pro 2 Release Date and Price
Set to hit retailer around the expected iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 release, Microsoft has confirmed that a Microsoft Surface Pro 2 release date will be held on October 22, the same day as the Surface 2. While the basic Surface 2 price has been set at £359, the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 prices will start from a lofty £719.
Read More: iPad mini 2 rumours
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
