Surface Pro 2 introduced
Microsoft's Panos Panay holding the new Surface Pro 2 tablet. It will sell for $899, and hits 21 markets on October 22.
Surface Pro 2 specs
The Surface Pro 2 has a large 10-inch screen, a full Intel Core i5 processor, and a 1,920x1,080-pixel-resolution display -- all specs you might find in a high-end ultraportable laptop.
New Surface 2
Microsoft also revealed the Surface 2, the less expensive version of the Surface Pro 2 and a step up from the Surface RT (which remains in the lineup). It has the same 1,920x1,080 screen as the Surface Pro 2. The Surface 2 starts at $449.
Surface 2
It's a lighter color now to show the "true color" of the magnesium.
Surface 2
It's thinner and lighter than the RT, and battery life is 25 percent longer. It also has an updated 1.7GHz Nvidia Tegra 4 processor.
Integrated kickstand
Both of the new Surface tablets feature an improved version of Microsoft's integrated kickstand. Panay says it's "the evolution of the kickstand." The new version opens into two different positions, to accommodate different heights of user.
Kickstand detail
The two-position kickstand mechanism.
Lap in action
The new version is more lap-compatible.
Accessories
A range of new accessories was also introduced.
Power cover closed
A new keyboard cover with integrated battery extends battery life by 2.5 times. Here it is closed...
Power cover open
...and open.
Docking station
Another important new accessory is a docking station, which will sell for $199.
Docking station specs
The station can connect to numerous accessories, including high-resolution desktop monitors.
New color Type Covers
The new version of the Type Cover (without an integrated battery) is now available in multiple colors for $129.99.
Color Type cover
The new version is thinner...
Now with a backlight
...and now includes backlighting. Finally.
New Touch Cover
Microsoft also unveiled a new Touch Cover ($119.99), which supplies a full touch-sensitive keyboard but lacks the discrete keys of the Type Cover.
Touch with backlight
Just like the Type Cover, the Touch's keys are backlit.
More sensitive to Touch
The new version of the Touch Cover has more sensors, so it should help eliminate typing errors and dropped keys.
Surface apps
Last year there were 10,000 apps in the Windows Store. There are 100,000 apps now.
Gaming
Microsoft's demo also included gaming using an Xbox 360 controller.
Office
Office is free on the Microsoft Surface.
Skype
Here's a Skype call in action using a Surface.
Free service on Surface
Microsoft is also throwing in free international calling from Skype, and free hot-spot Wi-Fi access for a year.
SkyDrive could service
File saves on Surface automatically default to Microsoft's SkyDrive cloud service.
SkyDrive
Microsoft says everything syncs seamlessly with the cloud, which is great if the Surface gets lost or stolen.
200GB SkyDrive free
Microsoft is offering 200GB of storage free for the first two years to people who buy a Surface 2.
Surface lineup
Here's a summary of the new Surface lineup. See the links below for more information.
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