Microsoft Surface will start at $499

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After an accidental Web site leak earlier today, Microsoft has officially announced pricing for its forthcoming Surface tablet running the Windows RT operating system. It’ll be priced starting at $499, with “a special limited-quantity pre-order” available at 12 PM Eastern, 9 AM Pacific time on Tuesday.

The Surface with Windows RT will be available in three models to start: a 32GB version for $499, a 32GB version bundled with a black “Touch Cover” (which incorporates a keyboard) for $599, and a 64GB version also bundled with a Touch cover for $699. Software pre-installed on the tablet includes a preview build of Office 2013 Home & Student Edition, which will be updated to the final version for free once it’s available.

The RT version of the tablet uses an ARM microprocessor; that’s the same architecture favored by Apple and Android tablet makers. Microsoft is still working on a version of the Surface that uses an Intel microprocessor and will run regular Windows software. The company is differentiating that as a “Pro” model and has said it will cost more than the RT version.

It’s interesting to note that this initial version of the Surface tablet will only be available directly through Microsoft – at its retail stores and through Microsoft online, but not through the vast network of physical and online retailers who normally carry Microsoft products.



  • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

    Wow. That’s a great price point for, seemingly, a powerful device.

    Microsoft could seriously be disruptive here if this takes off.

    • http://twitter.com/cutterpillow Dave Thorup

      Disruptive? Hardly. In order to be disruptive they’d need to be offering something significantly better than the market leader – the iPad. There’s nothing in the Surface that would really persuade people to get it over the iPad. All the $499 does is help the Surface to avoid being dead on arrival.

      To be disruptive the Surface would need to offer a significantly better experience than the iPad or have a significantly better price. It has neither. Offering a similar experience at a similar price is not disruptive. Microsoft is just hoping to catch up.

  • adrianoconnor

    Also announced they’re making between 3 and 5 million this year, I think. Hmmm. Will certainly be interesting to see how they do.

    Can’t believe how inept they’ve been about this whole pricing thing though. They go on sale in a few weeks, and even now they only announce the price by mistake.

    I won’t be getting one.

    • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

      Yeah, that’s a terrible fumble. They should’ve announced pricing at their event.

      • Peter Cohen

        Disagree. They said at the announcement that the RT would be similarly priced to other tablets.

        • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

          Yeah but that’s a broad range. They should’ve said $X at their event.

          Point is they could control the messaging. With a fumble like this they don’t.

  • gjgustav

    Slightly smaller screen than iPad, but more storage – not a bad price.

    But it remains to be seen how “innovative” and powerful this device is. A lot of people are saying this will be innovative and great, but nobody has used one, and early reports of the touch UI in MS Office are not very promising. I think there is just an anti-Apple contingent happy to see a new tablet coming after the disappointing Android tablet market.

    Also, the keyboard cover is very disappointing. If I was going to spend $100 on a keyboard case, I’d get one with keys that are nicer to type on than a touch screen. The Zagg or Logitech cases look much more practical, though less gimmicky, than this MS keyboard cover.

    • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

      I played with a touch tablet (not sure if it is a Surface) at a MSFT Store and it was quite nice. My son (7) used it (without instruction) and had 0 issues. The touch wasn’t bad either.

      I’m optimistic.

      • Sasparilla2

        Since they haven’t let any of these even be at stores yet and nobody has gotten to actually see the keyboard / cover work on one…I’m guessing you weren’t playing with a Surface.

        • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

          Correct. It was a tablet with Windows 8 on it.

    • http://twitter.com/Vengeur Brent Don

      I too was surprised at the $100 cost of the Touch Cover. The Touch Cover seemed to be one of the key selling points of the Surface (they certainly hyped it as such), yet its an optional accessory and costs the same as premium full featured keyboard. I guess it will take some hands-on use to determine if its minimalism is an advantage or a disadvantage over other keyboard/case solutions.

  • http://twitter.com/shycophante Shyco Phante

    Pricing seems reasonable although there’s a lot of complaining already about the price of the Touch Cover. I’ve just pre-ordered one. I’d like to see some reviews before they start shipping these pre-orders though – just so I have the option of cancelling. ;)

    • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

      A Smart Cover is $39 for leather w/ magnets so $99 extra for the a keyboard with function doesn’t seem too bad to me.

      How well it works though is TBD.

      • Steve__S

        Microsoft needed to include the keyboard to be competitive. Much higher-quality keyboards can be had the iPad for less money.

        • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

          All TBD.

  • http://www.facebook.com/dan.felixpierce Dan Pierce

    The price points are certianly set to compete with the iPad. You can get the 32GB model for the same price as the iPad 16GB WiFi. And the 64 GB model is the same price as the iPad 64GB WiFi but you get a “free” keyboard cover.

    The thing is that keyboard cover looks like it can only be used when the Surface is on a hard flat surface. It can’t be used on your lap or standing up. And the whole point, at least for me, is the ability to use a tablet while being mobile.

    • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

      You would use the on screen keyboard then.

      With this pricing I think they are aiming to beat the iPad pricing (not compete). You get more GB and Office for free (however clumsy the implementation might be from what Jim’s reported before).

      • http://www.facebook.com/dan.felixpierce Dan Pierce

        But their big selling point is that cover. If it’s only useful when sitting down at a table, people are going to winder why they spent an extra $100 for it.

        And the only segment that cares about Office on a tablet are enterprise users. And since Office for Windows RT doesn’t support macros, VBA or third party add ins, I don’t really see an advantage for it over the office suites already available on Android and iOS.

  • Ttt

    The Surface is comparable to iPad 2, not iPad (3).

  • T

    iPad 2 + keyboard cover = ~$500 Surface + touch cover = $599

    iPad has better battery life and vastly superior app ecosystem.

    iPad wins hands down.

    • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

      iPad 2 (16 GB) + Keyboard cover = ~$500 Surface (32 GB) + touch cover = $599

      Battery life is TBD. Ecosystem, I agree.

      Hands down, I disagree. Some will want the Surface, some will want the iPad but most will go for the newer device before the older one.

      • Sharon_Sharalike

        If Office is only up to a “preview” build, you know the thing is just not ready and it’s going to be a mess. Which is too bad. I’m an Apple fan and a shareholder, but some solid competition in tablets would do some good I think.

        However, if it turns out that on the 23rd that Apple is also showing improved full-sized iPads I don’t know what Microsoft could do. I can’t think of another reason why Apple would intro large iPads now. That puts them on a cycle where everything updates at the same time, instead of staggered.

        • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

          Yeah, ‘preview’ sucks. Good thing is it will be free when it is ready.

          Agreed on timing. I don’t think they’ll mix up their schedules.

      • Adriano

        What do you mean by “some want the iPad”? Have you seen the numbers of sold iPads? Most people will be confused by the “RT” vs. “Pro” models. Normal people won’t understand why the “RT” versions will not run all their favorite win7 software as their pc/laptop does.

        • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

          Yes, some. The iPad isn’t 100% penetration. People like choice and Windows users without a tablet and, possibly, the business market will be interested.

          Pro vs RT won’t matter to a user, verbiage wise. They’ll ask what the difference is, get an answer, and decide accordingly.

          • adriano

            There is not 100% penetration in anything. Thats not an argument. There is no tablet out there, that can compete with the iPad – not now. And this version of windows won’t be the iPad killer as so many people hope for.

            I love choice, and I have tried win8 over a year ago (or almost). As a developer, I am not sure, if people are going to like it. And sure, the PRO vs RT will matter – I have read a lot of post on some other tech sites and even “geeks” are confused.

            By the way, what are the advantages of the win rt versions towards an ultrabook. There is no app ecosystem. You can’t emulate the windows phone 7/7.5 on a windows rt tablet, as far as I know. But you can run over 700k apps from the iOS store on nearly every iPad (and from the 23d, its even possible to run them on the iPad Air/mini). That is a huge difference, that is the difference of 700k apps.

            Don’t get me wrong, I love competition and its TIME for Apple to get some serious competition in the field. but I am not sure, if win8 will be that attractive to normal folks as it is to you. I love the keyboard idea, although it’s not that useful if you put it on your legs – but nonetheless, its something different from all the Androind based platforms.

            I just hope win8 (RT or PRO) for tablets will do better, that windows phone.

          • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

            I’m not saying 100% is possible (even though the iPad 1 did have it) now-a-days but my point is simple: some people will buy the Surface and some will opt for the iPad.

            Confusion on tech blogs can be misleading. Consider the source. RT vs Pro is simple: http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-US/surface-with-windows-rt/help-me-choose.

            I agree the ecosystem isn’t there but neither was it when the iPad launched. People bought it like crazy and dealt w/ the blown up iPhone apps. The “no apps” argument only lasts so long (hence Apple not using it as a selling point for iPhone vs Android any longer). MSFT devs will get there.

            Yeah, the keyboard is promising. I can’t wait to try it. The touch keyboard should solve your lap issue.

            As for normal folks, I somewhat agree. My wife was impressed with what she saw in the Surface ads this weekend. She, seemingly, wants to replace her iPad 2 for one.

            True on comparison to Windows Phone. That’d suck to be just as good as that. lol

          • http://www.facebook.com/people/Sebastian-Paul/1186812355 Sebastian Paul

            For the business market, all those people who want to use Windows because of currently owned Windows software, the Surface RT is the wrong device. Surface RT is actually for no one using Windows right now the right device, because it will only run software that has not yet been developed (except those… 10.000 titles in the Windows marketplace at the moment, no comparison to the bazillions of x86 Windows programs).

            Surface RT caters to the people who will buy a Windows 8 PC or upgrade to Windows 8, own a touchscreen display and who will for reasons unknown like the user interface so much, that they will want a tablet with the same UI.

            For an estimate of the success of a Windows device with a “oh, this ui is so cool, i have to buy this”-UI, just look at Windows Phone.

            Turned out, that the UI (and inferior ecosystem AND inferior hardware (no retina-like display for the Surface RT!)) was no system seller.

            Taking for granted that Windows RT/Surface RT/Windows 8 will become a success just because it is a WINDOWS and from MICROSOFT shows that someone hasn’t learned from the debacle that was Windows Phone.

          • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

            Agreed. Business will need Pro.

            People see Windows as more than iOS, by default; whether misleading or not. As a point, a mother told me earlier (after posting this to FB) she wanted to buy a Surface for taking notes, for her teen. I told her to just use Evernote on their Kindles and that wasn’t enough for her.

            Some will get the Surface purely based on prior Windows views. Microsoft has to deliver though.

      • T

        Surface only gets 8 hours of battery life.

        • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

          Only? 8 vs 10 in the iPad 3. That’s not too bad considering it has 11 less watt hours.

          • Sasparilla2

            The low definition display sucks less power, that’s why its compared to the low def iPad 2 often.

          • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

            Great point. Thx.

          • http://www.facebook.com/people/Sebastian-Paul/1186812355 Sebastian Paul

            As the display is one of the major factors of the higher power consumption of the iPad 3 and the display of the Surface RT is no match for the iPad 3 display, the iPad 2 is a much better comparison.

            And the iPad 2 with 32nm SoC can get up to 11.5 hours of battery life, one and a half hours more than the older iPad 2 model.

            So about 50 percent more.

          • http://www.johncblandii.com John C. Bland II

            (Bows to your knowledge)

  • http://twitter.com/RoadRacer DT

    I believe the success will be measured by its effectiveness as a tablet – not a hybrid device, not an ultrabook-a-like device, but as an effective, touch based, computing device.

    Everything I’m hearing is the non-tablet mode is a little clunky and the transition mechanisms (both OS and hardware) between tab/notebook, make the overall experience so-so.

    I don’t think it’s a bad play, to create a little differentiation, but I’m wondering if it’s not going to wind up as a half-assed tablet + half-assed notebook.

    A colleague has one on order, so hopefully I’ll get some decent hands on time with it!

  • http://www.tumblr.com/blog/his-divine-shadow His Shadow

    This is going to be a laugh riot.

    I won’t go so far as to say it will be a spectacular Microsoft flame out, but it will be a spectacular Microsoft flame out.

    As far as the comparisons to the iPad, remember all those Apple bundled prices including Apple’s hardware keyboard/trackpad combo to get the most out of your iPad? Neither do I. Apple sold a device that is ready to go less than three minutes from first turn on. Microsoft has all but admitted that the Surface cannot be fully utilised without it’s keyboard/trackpad (I say again – FVCKING TRACKPAD!) combo cover.

    Don’t worry, arch nemeses. I’ve already put my predictions into my calendar. See you in March!

  • Sasparilla2

    I hope Microsoft does well with it, but frankly other than the true MS believers…I don’t think they’ll be selling a whole lot of these…the price isn’t low enough to seriously grab marketshare. Seeing a lot of comments that say why not pay a few hundred more and get a x86 Surface Pro in a couple of months (which is basically a small laptop tablet) that can run everything (and a much different market).

  • http://twitter.com/Moeskido Moeskido

    I wonder how many consumers who’ve already fled Windows are expected by Microsoft’s Marketing people to embrace this thing.

    • http://www.tumblr.com/blog/his-divine-shadow His Shadow

      The corollary of this is something I’ve been harping on for a while now. Whenever Microsoft pulls something out of it’s hat, Microsoft and it’s supporters routinely invoke “real work” as some kind of tantric mantra. The underlying theme seems to be that there is some massive, silent majority waiting for Microsoft to give them the tools the really need, and that millions or even tens of millions of people have been waiting for Redmond to deliver products and services for which the suffering masses have been patiently waiting.

      Yet this hasn’t allowed Windows 7 to garner any notable market share, didn’t save the Zune and tablets running previous versions of Windows failed to make any impression whatever after being announced at CES and quickly forgotten.

      • http://twitter.com/Moeskido Moeskido

        They’ll invoke “real work” while continuing to try to find a non-specific way to appeal to everyday consumer needs, too.

        When that fails, they’ll get their Sales people to lean on corporate IT to push the gadgets as standard.