A new Surface tablet is on its way, and it is not due to the "modest" sales the tablet has given Microsoft.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, during an interview with French newspaper Le Parisien, stated the sales numbers of the Surface "are starting modestly." He added that the reason for the modest sales numbers are because the Surface tablet is only available online and in a select number of Microsoft stores across the US.
Ballmer also commented on a "high-end version" of the Surface will make its way. A specific release date, nor the specific sales numbers, of the Surface were not provided.
The new version of the tablet is the Surface with Windows 8 Pro, labeled as "coming soon" on Microsoft's official site. The current tablet is known as the Surface with Windows RT.
What are the differences and similarities between the Surface with Windows 8 Pro or with Windows RT?
Software:
Surface with Windows RT: The tablet will feature Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT Preview.
Surface with Windows 8 Pro: The tablet utilizes Windows 7 desktop applications and integrates with current enterprise management infrastructure.
Size:
Surface with Windows RT: Length: 10.81-inches, width: 6.77-inches, depth: 0.37-inches.
Surface with Windows 8 Pro: Length: 10.81-inches, width of 6.81-inches, depth: 0.53-inches
Weight:
Surface with Windows RT: 1.5-lbs
Surface with Windows 8 Pro: 2-lbs
Display/Screen:
Surface with Windows RT: 10.6-inch ClearType HD Display with 1,366x768 pixels
Surface with Windows 8 Pro: 10.6-inch ClearType HD Display with 1,920x1,080 pixels
Memory:
Surface with Windows RT: Internal Storage of 32GB, 64GB; 2GB of RAM
Surface with Windows 8 Pro: Internal Storage of 64GB, 128GB; 4GB of RAM
Camera:
Surface with Windows RT: Front-and-rear-facing 720p HD cameras
Surface with Windows 8 Pro: Front-and-rear-facing 720p HD cameras
Wireless Connectivity:
Surface with Windows RT: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n and Bluetooth version 4.0
Surface with Windows 8 Pro: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n and Bluetooth version 4.0
CPU:
Surface with Windows RT: Quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3
Surface with Windows 8 Pro: 3rd Gen Intel Core i5 Processor with Intel HD Graphics 4000
Battery:
Surface with Windows RT: 31.5 W-h
Surface with Windows 8 Pro: 42 W-h, including an additional 5 W-h USB for accessory charging)
Color:
Surface with Windows RT: Dark Titanium
Surface with Windows 8 Pro: Dark Titanium
An additional difference is the Pen input, which has to be purchased for the Surface with Windows RT, however, with will be included with purchase for when Windows 8 Pro tablet.