Today has been a rather busy day with the unveiling of the Microsoft Surface RT tablet pricing and availability. Pre-ordering went live earlier in the US, while other markets followed behind. We've been bombarded with international Microsoft Store links from readers who are excited to get their orders in - so who can currently pre-order a Surface RT tablet?
Microsoft announced the Surface family of tablets, which is set to include two versions, earlier this year. Both Windows 8 Pro and Windows RT will be supported. The difference between the two? Windows RT runs on an ARM processor and only sports the Windows RT interface (Metro to Windows Phone veterans), while Windows 8 Pro can be ran on Intel and AMD chipsets.
The latter enables consumers to enter desktop mode and run software that isn't downloaded from the Windows Store. For now, only the RT version is available, with the more advance Surface tablet well on the way and should be available in the near future. Should you find yourself residing in the following countries, you're able to head online right this very minute to the Microsoft Store and turn dreams into reality:
- Australia - $559 for 32GB no cover, $679 with Touch Cover, $789 for 64GB with a Touch Cover
- Canada - $519 for 32GB no cover, $619 with Touch Cover, $719 for 64GB with a Touch Cover
- France - €489 for 32GB no cover, €589 with Touch Cover, €694 for 64GB with a Touch Cover
- Germany - €479 for 32GB no cover, €579 with Touch Cover, €679 for 64GB with a Touch Cover
- United Kingdom - £399 for 32GB no cover, £479 with Touch Cover, £559 for 64GB with a Touch Cover
- United States - $499 for 32GB no cover, $599 with Touch Cover, $699 for 64GB with a Touch Cover
From October 26th the Surface RT will be available online (and in-store where supported) in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and the United States. Be sure to also head on over to our poll and join the discussion on pricing of the product. But we're not done there as Microsoft has also released a video detailing how the Surface tablets were formed.
The video runs viewers through the choices made in the construction and design of the product. It's strange to see Microsoft as a brand and company explaining how the teams worked tirelessly for perfection. Taking the full-sized desktop keyboard and creating the Touch and Type Covers, available as optional accessories, is a perfect example.
We're excited, and with Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and more just around the corner, things can only get better.
Source: Microsoft, The Verge, YouTube; thanks to everyone who tipped us!
