Pro version of Microsoft’s Surface tablet will cost almost the same as a MacBook Air in the U.S.

Three months after starting sales of Surface RT, Microsoft today announced that the Pro version of its tablet will arrive in the United States and Canada next month.

The launch itself was already highly anticipated, but its entry price, not so much: $ 900.

Microsoft - Surface Windows 8 Pro

The big difference with this more expensive model is that, in addition to running Windows 8 applications, it will also be able to run those created for the 7th desktop version of the Microsoft operating system.

But the price is really scary, even by American standards. Now, it costs $ 70 more than the top-of-the-line fourth-generation iPad (64GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model) and only $ 100 less than the entry-level MacBook Air – that’s considering the 64GB version of the Surface Pro, since the 128GB will cost the same $ 1,000.

It is not that Microsoft was wrong in pricing the Surface Pro in this way, not least because it is a differentiated product – a mix of tablet and PC, something that may interest many consumers and that goes completely against Apple’s ideology. Time will tell which of the two is on the right track, but at these times it’s cool to compare these products a little.

At the AnandTech, we found a table that compares the two versions of Surface with the iPad:

Table comparing Surfaces with iPad

Watch how the iPad * detonates * in almost every way. In terms of technical specifications, Surfaces only lead in memory, which theoretically will allow the execution of more applications simultaneously or heavier software – but this will depend a lot on the optimization of the system for your hardware.

The Surface Pro will also feature up to 128GB of storage, which I would really like to see Apple implementing in the next upgrade of its 9.7-inch iPads.

The BGR placed the Surface Pro side by side with the MacBook Air:

Surface Pro vs.  MacBook Air

Here, yes, we see some more significant advantages of Surface Pro: smaller screen but with higher resolution, all the functionality touch a tablet, MicroSDXC card slot, an extra camera, as well as dimensions and weight. On the other hand, the MacBook Air gains in battery, an extra USB 3.0 port and the Thunderbolt interface, a real keyboard (backlit) and, of course, I would easily include OS X there.

I believe that the success (or failure) of the Surface will even be based on how well the market will respond to a product that merges a tablet with a PC. It is a strong bet from Microsoft to differentiate itself, and I have no doubt that, if the thing is really a blow – until Christmas, it was far from that -, Apple may be able to take certain characteristics of the iPad to the MacBook Air.

Or, of course, the Surface will go the same way as the Zune.

[via 9to5Mac]