Microsoft already has a Surface tablet version out but expect an even newer version to be available next month.
Planned along with the current Surface tablet, known as the Surface with Windows RT, the upcoming Surface with Windows 8 Pro has been confirmed to launch in January 2013 and there are notable differences and already have people talking.
One notable difference with the Surface with Windows 8 Pro is the price. The upcoming Surface will be available in 64GB and 128GB models, and with higher internal storages, the higher the prices. The 64GB model will have a price tag of $899 while the 128GB model will cost $999.
For further comparisons of the Surface with Windows RT and Surface with Windows 8 Pro, from display, sizes, memory, and more, click here.
So what are critics and fans saying about the Surface with Windows 8 Pro tablet?
CNET's David Carnoy wrote about eight things Microsoft is doing wrong (in general), but listed the price of the upcoming tablet as one target.
"Microsoft said the Surface Pro would start at $899 without a keyboard (the keyboard costs $100)," wrote Carnoy. "Why wouldn't I just buy an ultrabook with a touch-screen and twice the battery life for around the same price?"
Fans of CNET stated:
BokiBoss: "Surface Pro is realistically priced. Compare it with MacBook Air 64/128 neck to neck and you will see it. You have more from Surface Pro than from Air."
solitare_pax: "The problem is that the Surface Pro is trying to compete with the iPad and the MacBook Air - and really isn't doing that great a job beating either one."
reprod: "The Surface Pro has better hardware specs than a Macbook Air. It is a full-featured laptop... Stop misleading people."
RichemXX: "Overpricing the Surface Pro tablet - I'd like to have seen it come in at a better price so I can agree. But the pricing is relatively inline with whats on the market now."
Victor Peña wrote about the upcoming tablet, available also on The Verge.
"Maybe I'm looking at it through the wrong lens but, I can not help but feel excitement for this device to arrive," wrote Peña.
He did note several things that did "bug" him, including the lack of Microsoft Office despite being pre-installed in the Windows RT version of the tablet and the lack of information in the specifications in comparing the upcoming with the current Surface tablet.
Peña included in his conclusion, "Microsoft needs to re-think how to properly position this new device. I believe it can thrive and become a go to device for many professionals. I hope as its launch nears they figure out how to differentiate it."
So what are fans of The Verge saying following Peña's article?
markiz von schnitzel: "What they need is to advertise it as an ultrabook. Which they won't, because those covers are so overpriced it's ridiculous.
 Great mistake if you ask me."
azsxdc: "It needs to do something significantly better than the other Windows 8 tablets that will have launched by then. Right now, I'm not convinced that it's 'better.' The Surface RT pretty much has no peer as a Windows RT device but this is not the case for the Surface Pro."
microsoftmissionary: "i wanted it to be $799/$899 but if it is going to be priced like this i want photoshop CS6 bundled."
It appears the main focus ahead of the January debut of the Surface with Windows 8 Pro is the price, ultimately the marketing approach Microsoft has to take. It will be up to Microsoft to decide whether to sell the tablet like a regular tablet or compare it as an alternative to a laptop.
Related Articles:
For reviews on the Microsoft Surface with Windows RT, click here.
For the iPad 4 vs. Microsoft Surface with Windows RT, click here.
For the Microsoft Surface with Windows RT specs and definitions, click here.
For the Microsoft Surface with Windows RT tablet drop test, click here.
For the iPad Mini vs. Microsoft Surface with Windows RT specs, click here.
For the comparison of the Microsoft Surface vs. Kindle Fire HD 8.9, click here.