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Microsoft Surface RT didn’t quite live up to Microsoft’s promise of a true next-generation device, but you know what might? Microsoft Surface Pro. The good news: the Intel-powered ultrabookish tablet mash-up will be out in just a couple of months. The bad news? It might cost more than you want to spend.
Microsoft announced today that Surface Pro will start at USD$900 (£560) at launch for a 64GB version, while a 128GB version will run you USD$1000 (£650). Both models come with 4GB RAM, a USB 3.0 port, and run full Windows 8. That price also includes a fancy stylus, but not one of Microsoft’s handy—and frankly, for this device, necessary—Touch or Type Covers. Those cost £99 and £109, respectively, meaning that to give yourself a true laptop replacement you’re going to have to shell out some serious money.
For some perspective, that means the base, 64GB, 10.6-inch Surface Pro with keyboard cover will cost more than a comparably spec’d MacBook Air.
That seems like a tough sell. Microsoft had always been clear that Surface Pro would be priced comparably with ultrabooks, but that implies a pretty broad range of prices. A range that Surface Pro, it turns, out, is near the top of. And while on the one hand you could argue that the innovative form is worth a premium over your standard 11-inch Dell, Microsoft’s main concern right now should probably be getting Surface in the hands of the masses.
The company’s biggest hardware challenge now, no matter how many dance-filled commercials it runs, is a knowledge deficit. Why take a flyer on a USD$1000 hybrid device when you know for a fact that comparable MBA or Zenbook performs well and costs less?
The Surface Pro might be the greatest technological marvel to come along since the rotisserie oven. Or it might be a disappointment. Either way, it’s a leap of faith for buyers. In that sense, it’s a whole lot like the original Xbox, another new entrant into a crowded field that was a longshot at best. Microsoft sold it at a loss for years, literal years, undercutting Sony and winning a massive install base in the process. And if Microsoft’s already taking a massive hit on a USD$1,020 entry level price, well, maybe it was an ill-fated pursuit to start with. [Microsoft]
Which One Has More Usable Space: the 128GB Surface Pro or the 128GB MacBook Air?
The Most Expensive Next-Gen MacBook Pro Costs £3,050
The Next-Generation Macbook Pro 2012
Any word on the price here? is it going to be £1000 or £650?
If it is the latter then it costs 300 less than a Macbook and might actually be worth it.
£889 inc. VAT ($1130 sans tax in the US) with a type cover, vs £849 ($999 US) for a base spec MBA considering a comparable spec.
Too much to be properly competitive.
But it’s not comparably specced, is it? This has a touchscreen with 2 digitisers and a pen input, a superior display in both resolution and no doubt quality, and you get a SD slot with this that you don’t get in the 11″ MacBook Air.
Oh, and as you said – it’s convertible. I can’t take the keyboard off my MB Air if I wanted to use it ever again…
Your right in some ways but practically the people who would be buying a surface pro are more likely to be business commuters and the same can be said for the Macbook it may differ in properties but still serves the same market. I can’t see the art types purchasing a surface pro
I agree, the Apple name is very much in vogue amongst the arty types. They always argue that its better for image editing, which is untrue, seeing as they run the exact same software, but there we go… I do like the surface, but the inability to run desktop apps puts me off a bit.
I should point out that im referring here not to the Surface specifically. But to Macs and PCs generally.
I was at an Internship and the head “Designer” said we need a new computer for me (as I was using my laptop).
She was like “We will get you an iMac, cos they are better for design.”
I simply asked “why?” and she could not reply.
At least the other intern had a better idea.
“Its cos they are fashionable.”
Agreed. Not saying they’re bad computers, just don’t see whats so special about them.
@ chootastic – you realise the Surface Pro can run desktop apps just fine, right?
Sorry – my bad
For many multimedia applications Macs are superiour due to the locked down hardware spec and good driver/program/compatibility and software support that is very very good.
“It just works” most of the time, which is great if you’re not techy and just want to “create”.
I would personally say, that for running apps like photoshop there is no discernible difference
For me I think £650 for the 128GB version is actually a pretty compelling price. Currently I have an aging Macbook (’07), and a HP Touchpad running CM9. I don’t really use my Macbook anymore thanks to my Touchpad apart from when going to see family, but nor would I want to spend £400 on a device that’s *only* a tablet.
£650 would mean I’d only need one device in my backpack rather than two, and would provide both a modern/attractive tablet UI/experience, along with a desktop experience too.
Trouble is I’m guessing these are pre-tax mark ups, so ours will probably be closer to the $ value. But yeah if it was that price, I’d consider recommending it to my gf whose looking for something that’s portable but allows her to efficiently type notes during a lecture
I love how he says you HAVE to have a touch pad… as if you couldn’t just plug in a 20 quid wireless keyboard when you need it!
The touchpad would be more desirable than a separate keyboard, especially if you’re looking for portability. I agree, a wee keyboard (preferably without the numpad to save space) would be a cheaper option not to mention probably more durable given the article about problems with the durability
While I never bother criticising Gizmodo for being biased, this is frankly ridiculous. You’re comparing the Surface to a MacBook Air? That is GROSSLY unfair, and as far as I’m concerned is pissing over Microsoft while they’re down. This is a fantastically competitive price for a device that functions as a tablet and a laptop, and features well-designed touch screen apps as well as legacy support. This is a one-of-a-kind device, and does a hell of a lot more than a MacBook Air.
Seriously man, that is a ridiculous comparison.
Sorry, did I forget to mention the pop-out stand and smaller size as well? Yes, I think I did.
Personally, I’d have the MBA. Although, I’d have neither to be honest. Take my £400 cheap and upgrade-able laptops any day.
100% agree with you, I use a macbook air 13 and its definetley not even comparable, the 128 even at a price higher than I was expecting seem completely fair. There is nothing else like the surface on the market and i suspect prices will drop off a little after the initial launch unlike an apple product.
It does a hell of a lot more than a MacBook Air? In what way?
join a MBA to a domain? Not without hacking at it
Programme for windows on a mac? not really
anything as powerful as hyper-v? thought not
play any pc game? no
so theres 4 biggies without going into even more corporate stuff alone….
You can run Windows on a Mac! Apple will even help you.
Hope the battery life on the surface exceeds 30 mins.
So that would add another £50 to the price of a mac. So it makes the surface even more appealing!
Do people pay for windows?!
Might as well rob a mac air of a back of a lorry if thats how you look at it then.
Might aswell.
A sound plan!
Sorry, I thought you were serious. Clearly, you have never used a Mac.
Shouldn’t we be comparing it against an iPad instead? A 64GB iPad with retina display costs 559 pounds on the apple store UK. For all intent and purposes the two cost the same amount. I don’t remember Giz ever complaining about how the iPad is too expensive.
Are you joking?
Which part are you referring to? Comparing against an iPad or Giz never complaining about the price of iPad?
I don’t remember Giz ever complaining about how the iPad is too expensive.
US prices don’t include tax.
I saw the headline and was disheartened, as the Surface Pro was a real contender for my next laptop/tablet thingy.
I’ve been looking at other convertibles, e.g the Sony slider thingy and the Yoga, and they are both near £1000, so when i saw the title saying it was going to be expensive, my heart sank, assuming that it would have to be more costly that those comparible devices!
Seriously though, £650 is really not that bad! Even £750 with the cover is still cheaper than the Yoga.
The Surface Pro is still top of my list for now!
Check out Raikiri’s post up top. It’s close to £900 with tax. But if you’d be getting a laptop and a tablet but got this to use as both it seemed to add up quite nicely.
It’ll be even more once you add the extra UK premium we get charged on all techy stuff. There’s tax, then there’s another 10-20% on top of most tech.