Microsoft will begin selling Surface Pro tablet on February 9

On February 9,  Microsoft will make the  Surface Pro tablet available in retail sales in the U.S. and Canada. Unlike standard Surface omitting “Pro”, equipped with ARM-processor running Windows RT, high-end model can be called a full-fledged PC in the form of a tablet.

Supplier of processors for Surface Pro is Intel, as the OS will use standard desktop Windows 8. This means that the new product can run any standard Windows-based application, which is not true, for example, on Windows-smartphone.

When developing a gadget to Microsoft have considered the most common complaints against chief rival so far – iPad. In Surface Pro is provided as a full-sized USB-port and a memory card slot, which is present even in the most “stuffed” configuration with 128 GB of memory.

With model Surface Pro plans to strike not only at the positions of the iPad, but also “chew off” the market share of laptops and especially – ultrabooks. The new tablet further blurs the lines between devices – Surface Pro is more a ultrabook with detachable keyboard, rather than the tablet. Yes, and the new level of performance, as promised by Microsoft, superbly qualified “compete” with the ultrabook.

Microsoft’s press release:

“Microsoft Corp. today announced that its Surface family of PCs is growing. Its newest model — Surface Windows 8 Pro — will be available for purchase on Feb. 9, 2013, in the United States and Canada at all Microsoft retail stores, microsoftstore.com, Staples and Best Buy in the U.S., as well as from a number of locations in Canada.”

By the way, detachable keyboard offers two options. Touch-Keyboard, as the name implies, is a completely flat sensitive surface with “painted” buttons. Lovers of the traditional set of features slightly thicker Type-screen keyboard with the “real”, ie mechanical keys. And she and the other key features in color.

Western observers who were lucky enough to get the device to hit retail, note that Surface Pro can really help Microsoft break out of losing streak. However, if sales go well, Microsoft may take up arms against the old market partners “iron” – HP, Dell and others. After producing gadget Microsoft decided to do on their own – money contract passed by vendors.

However, the huge price that Microsoft asks for Surface Pro, gives reason to doubt the success of sales. A model with 64 GB of memory costs $899, but with 128GB – $100 more expensive. And it is – without the detachable keyboard! Touch will cost an additional $119, and mechanical – to $129. For prices outside of North America is not reported.