Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Mobile

    Microsoft Surface 2 Tablets Debut

    By
    Pedro Hernandez
    -
    September 23, 2013
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      Microsoft is gearing up to release the Surface 2 next month. During a press event in New York City on Sept. 23, the company unveiled the Surface 2 and the Surface Pro 2 tablets, both of which are set to hit store shelves with upgraded components, thinner profiles and a range of new accessories.

      Arriving on Oct. 22 in several regions including the United States, the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 will run Windows RT 8.1 and Windows 8.1, respectively. The new tablets will launch in China in early November, according to the company. Microsoft is accepting preorders online starting on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

      Upgrades on the Surface 2 include an Nvidia Tegra 4 processor, USB 3 and a full HD 1080P 10.6-inch display (versus 1,366 by 768 on the current Surface RT). The device will sport new optics, namely a 3.5-megapixel front camera and a 5-megapixel rear shooter that both capture 1080P video. The tablet will ship with Office 2013 RT, including Outlook RT, and will be available in 32GB and 64GB varieties.

      According to Microsoft, improved battery life enables the Surface 2 to support up to 10 hours for video playback. Pricing for the Surface 2, which will come in 32GB and 64GB models, starts at $449.

      Surface Pro 2 ($899 starting price), which runs Windows 8.1, “is a true laptop replacement, capable of running virtually all your Windows software,” said the company in a statement. Powering the tablet is Intel’s fourth-generation Core i5 processor, code-named Haswell. The more energy-efficient chips help stretch battery life up to 60 percent further than its predecessor.

      Like its ARM-based counterpart, the Surface Pro 2 is outfitted with a high-speed USB 3 port. This time around, buyers will be faced with more storage options, namely 64GB and 128GB models with 4GB of RAM and 256GB and 512GB versions with 8GB of RAM.

      Despite the updated specs, analyst Jack E. Gold, of J.Gold Associates, doesn’t expect the new tablets to improve the fortunes of the slow-selling Surface. In a research note, he stated, “Other than upgraded HW (chips primarily, and somewhat better cameras) and a somewhat lower price (than the initial released pricing), I don’t see much incentive for people to buy these devices. Yes, the devices are cheaper than the iPads, but is that enough reason?”

      Gold added, “I think they needed to do something that was innovative beyond the first gen, and I don’t see that in these devices. I think they’ll continue to sell a few, but I don’t think this will dramatically alter their sales trajectory.”

      Microsoft also announced a new range of accessories, including the new Touch and Type Covers. They now feature backlit keys and are more rigid. Touch Cover 2, priced at $119.99, “registers keystrokes with greater accuracy and features updated sensors that support a variety of gestures across the entire keyboard,” boasted the company in a statement. Type Cover 2 has quieter keys and more color options (Cyan, Magenta, Purple and Black) and will sell for $129.99.

      In early 2014, the company will release a docking station for the Surface Pro and Pro 2 ($199.99) that enables the tablets to connect to USB peripherals (one USB 3.0 port and three USB 2.0 ports), an external monitor and a network via an Ethernet cable. A new wireless adapter for Touch or Type Covers ($59.99) utilizes Bluetooth to allow Surface owners to type with the covers detached.

      Rounding out the new accessories is a car charger with USB ($49.99) and the Arc Touch Mouse Surface Edition with Bluetooth 3.0 support ($69.99).

      Pedro Hernandez
      Pedro Hernandez is a contributor to eWEEK and the IT Business Edge Network, the network for technology professionals. Previously, he served as a managing editor for the Internet.com network of IT-related websites and as the Green IT curator for GigaOM Pro.
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Applications

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Applications

      Kyndryl’s Nicolas Sekkaki on Handling AI and...

      James Maguire - November 9, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nicolas Sekkaki, Group Practice Leader for Applications, Data and AI at Kyndryl, about how companies can boost both their AI and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      IGEL CEO Jed Ayres on Edge and...

      James Maguire - June 14, 2022 0
      I spoke with Jed Ayres, CEO of IGEL, about the endpoint sector, and an open source OS for the cloud; we also spoke about...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2022 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×