Microsoft Surface Pro 2 Release Date, Review: Specs, Power Cover, Price and Speed

By Eric Chen
Surface Pro
Surface Pro

Microsoft Surface Pro 2 release date is October 22, 2013. It is dubbed as the 'most productive devices" that Microsoft has ever built, and a full-blown, workstation quality business product that is reportedly faster than 95 percent of laptops, says the tech giant's Surface unit executive. Those who have been waiting for the upgraded Surface tablets are eagerly expecting the tablets' release after hearing initial reviews of specs, Haswell-enhanced performance, super-charged battery life, two-stages kickstand, and the list of upgraded accessories. Surface Pro 2

Microsoft Surface general manager Panos Panay on Monday unveiled this 18-month project at an event in New York City event.

Surface Pro 2 boasts of an improved 46 percent color accuracy with the least amount of reflectivity with the added ClearType HD display, Meanwhile, the graphic performance is increased by 50 percent. The second generation of Surface Pro is powered by Intel's Haswell processor that not only increase overall performance by 20 percent, but also brings a 20 percent improvement in battery life. In conclusion, Surface Pro 2 operates cooler, quieter, and has a total of 75 percent more battery life than its predecessors.

Moreover, Power Cover, the latest keyboard accessory packed with a 30wh battery, increases the original product's battery life by two and half times. It also charges the Surface devices, except Surface RT, when not in use. While last year's Surface RT and Surface Pro sales failed to appeal to businesses, Microsoft has unveiled its $200 Surface Docking Station accessory. It features 3x USB 3.0, 1 USB 1.0, Mini DisplayPort that support a 3,840x2,160 resolution desktop monitor, Ethernet, audio in, audio out, and power.

Surface Pro 2 tablet slides easily into the Docking Station and clicks into place. Two monitors can be powered into this accessory, which also allows users to use Type/Touch Cover at the same time. Surface Pro 2's starting price is $899 for the 64GB/4GB RAM version. Other versions include 128GB/4GB RAM, 256GB/8GB RAM, and 512GB/8GB RAM.

Type Cover 2 and Touch Cover 2

The $130 Type Cover 2 accessory comes in four different colors - cyan, magenta, purple, and black. It is 1mm thinner than the last Type cover. Meanwhile, the $120 Touch Cover 2 features faster type responsiveness. All of these will work with older Surface Pros and new Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 tablets. Both covers are now backlit.

Touch Cover 2 now features 1,092 sensors, which completely erases its original Touch Cover 1 that had only 80 sensors. "It's thinner. It's lighter. It's like a piece of paper," said Panay. "With the high resolution sensor ... you can't miss a key." Touch Cover 2 comes with predictive typing - users can be confident to not miss words. It also comes with pressure sensitivity as in the first product. Even the sound volume it produces varies according to pressure.

'Best of Skype' and SkyDrive

Microsoft is bundling in "Best of Skype," free Skype Wi-Fi hotspots with international calling. The company is also offering buyers of Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 with 200GB of SkyDrive for two years free from day one.

"The power of designing for all Microsoft is in this product. You will feel it when you use it," said Panay.

Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 Pre-orders can be made on Microsoft Online Store and on Bestbuy.

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