Microsoft launches Surface 2, Surface Pro 2: All you need to know

Microsoft has relaunched the Surface tablet and the Surface Pro tablet. The new tablets are called Surface 2 which starts at $449 and the Surface Pro 2 which starts at $899. Microsoft has kept the screen size the same as previous versions, at 10.6-inches diagonally.The Surface 2 and the Surface Pro 2 will also come with 200 gigabytes of free online storage through SkyDrive for two years, as well as free calls and Wi-Fi hotspots through Skype for a year. The new tablets will go on sale on 22 October.Here are the key features of the two tablets:Surface 2 The Surface 2 runs Windows 8.1 RT which is a down-sized version of Windows 8 for ARM-based chips. Surface 2 has an Nvidia Tegra 4 (T40) quad-core processor clocked at 1.7GHz. It has 2GB RAM and comes with 32GB or 64GB storage space. The screen is now full HD and supports 1080 p resolution.The device has a full-sized USB port which supports USB 3.0. It comes with a 3.5-megapixel front camera and 5-megapixel rear camera and both can capture 1080p video.[caption id="attachment_1129817" align="alignleft" width="380"]

Microsoft Surface 2 (L) and Microsoft Surface Pro 2 are seen in this product photo.[/caption]The tablet supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0. and has a microHDMI port. Microsoft says it has up to 10 hours of battery life.Surface Pro 2: The Surface Pro 2 also has a 10.6 inch full HD screen with 1080 p screen resolution.It has a Fourth-generation Intel Core i5-4200U processor clocked at 1.6 GHz and with Intel Turbo Boost up to 2.6 GHz. It also has Intel HD Graphics 4400 chip.The device will come in 64GB and 128GB configurations with 4 GB of RAM, as well as 256GB and 512GB configurations with 8 GB of RAM. It will run Windows 8.1 Pro. Microsoft said that the 512GB version of Surface Pro 2 will be limited.The Pro 2 also comes with the Surface Pen which is a Stylus. Microsoft hasn't really bumped up the camera on the Pro which still has 720p HD front-and rear-facing cameras. It also has an Full-size USB 3.0 port, MicroSDXC card slot etc. It supports WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0.Keyboard covers for the devices will cost extra. It will cost $120 for a Touch Cover 2, which has working, printed keyboard on the inside surface but whose keys don't move when pushed, and $130 for Type Cover 2, which have keys that move. A new Power Cover with a built-in spare battery will cost about $200 when it comes out early next year. A $200 docking station also will come out early next year and will work only with Pro models, including the older one already out.What is surprising is that Microsoft's tablet still don't support 3G or 4G connectivity which is a shocker given that Pro is aimed at enterprise users.