Microsoft Surface Pro 2 and Surface 2 officially unveiled

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.
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