Microsoft will expand their Surface tablet outside the U.S. starting in late March.
The company issued a statement that both Surface with Windows RT and Surface with Windows 8 Pro will "rollout," however, both tablets won't be available in the same countries.
"We are eager to see people and businesses in more countries get a chance to experience this new category of devices," said Microsoft Surface Corporate Vice President Panos Panay. "Surface is the best of a tablet and a PC."
Starting with the Surface with Windows RT, the tablet will be available in Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, and Taiwan in later this month.
The Surface with Windows 8 Pro will be available in the "coming months" in Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Microsoft has touted the Surface with Windows RT tablet as an "extension of the Windows experience," giving customers the options to connect, work, and play with people.
"[Surface] offers an ultralight durable casing and an integrated kickstand and cover that allow customers to be productive anywhere, as well as a full-sized USB port and microSDXC card slot for adding additional storage and a 16:9 widescreen high-definition display that makes it optimal for viewing and sharing content easily," Microsoft noted.
News of the Surface tablet coming to Japan was first reported in the Sunday morning edition of the Nikkei, via The Wall Street Journal's Market Watch, which also noted a March release date.
The Surface tablet expanding to other countries also coincide as Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer stated he is "super-glad" about his company launching the tablet.
The Microsoft CEO told MIT Technology Review that the Surface is important not only for Microsoft, but "for the entire Windows eco-system-to see integrated hardware and software."
Meanwhile in the U.S., the 128GB Surface with Windows 8 Pro tablet is out of stock while the 64GB variant has been in and out of selling out.
Related Articles:
- Microsoft Surface Pro News: CEO Steve Ballmer 'Super-Glad' with Tablet, Says Surface Won't Dominate Volume
- For reviews on the Microsoft Surface with Windows RT, click here.
- Microsoft Surface Pro Review Roundup: Battery Life, Price, Weight Among Issues with Windows 8 Pro Tablet Critics, click here.
- For the Microsoft Surface with Windows RT specs and definitions, click here.
- For rumors on three upcoming Surface tablets in 2013, click here.
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