Today, we have announced new additions to the Surface family of products: Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2. Surface 2 will come with Windows RT 8.1 (which includes Outlook RT) and Surface Pro 2 will come with Windows 8.1.
These new models come with significant updates, including increased performance and battery life. For example the Surface 2 comes powered by NVIDIA’s Tegra 4 processor. And the Surface Pro 2 comes powered by a 4th generation Intel Core i5 processor. You will also see improvements to display and camera resolutions, and to the Kickstand which now is more comfortable for you to use your Surface on your lap or at your desk.
We’re also announcing new accessories for Surface as well. Touch Cover 2 is thinner and lighter than the original Touch Cover, is and has backlit keys. Type Cover 2 features the same super-thin, lightweight design of the original Type Cover, but also has backlit keys and will be available in Cyan, Magenta, Purple and Black in the coming months. We’re also introducing Power Cover (a keyboard cover with a built-in battery that extends the battery life of your Surface 2, Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2), Docking Station for Surface Pro, Wireless Adapter for Typing Covers (Touch and Type covers), and a Car Charger with USB.
I also get to add a new Arc Touch Mouse to my collection – the Arc Touch Mouse Surface Edition (bottom center in above photo). This special edition Arc Touch Mouse connects to your Surface or other Windows device via Bluetooth 4.0, freeing up your other USB ports for use by other devices.
The look-and-feel of this special edition Arc Touch Mouse has been updated to match Surface. For example, the front of the mouse with the mouse buttons has a flat matte feel instead of the glossy feel as seen on the previous Arc Touch Mice. I’ve been using this mouse for a few weeks now with my Surface Pro and love it. It’s great not having to use a USB transceiver with the mouse as it lets me use the USB port on my Surface Pro to connect my Lumia 1020 to pull the high-res photos off. The Arc Touch Mouse Surface Edition will have an estimated retail price of $69.99 (U.S.).
For more details on Surface 2, Surface Pro 2 and the new accessories including pricing and availability – click here for the press release. Both Surface devices will be available for pre-order beginning tomorrow, September 24, 2013 and for purchase on October 22, 2013 in select markets. Visit www.surface.com/pre-order to learn more about pre-order. I also suggest reading this blog post from Panos Panay on the Surface Blog.
One more thing: Customers purchasing either a Surface 2 or Surface Pro 2 will receive 200 GB of free SkyDrive storage for 2 years, free Skype calling to landlines in more than 60 countries for 1 year, and unlimited Skype WiFi on their Surface 2 or Surface Pro 2 at more than 2 million hot-spots worldwide for 1 year. Today, SkyDrive has announced a new 200GB plan which is enough storage for a photo every hour from birth to graduation.