Microsoft Surface with Windows RT Retail Release Date Imminent as Surface with Windows 8 Pro Battery Life Decreases; Twitter Responses

Microsoft may soon set their Surface tablet on some retail shelves.

The Surface with Windows RT tablet could be sold at retailers not affiliated with Microsoft, according to Windows Weekly Co-host Paul Thurrott.

Thurrott added that Microsoft had planned to set a retail release for early 2013 but has instead opted to release it in time for the holiday shopping season.

As for when this is expected to roll out, Thurrott noted it could happen "within days."

The speculation comes as Microsoft is set to launch the Surface with Windows 8 Pro tablet in January 2013.

According to Thurrott, both versions of the Surface will see its distribution expand to retailers such as Best Buy and Staples.

The Surface with Windows 8 Pro has been confirmed to have only two types of internal storage models - 64GB and 128GB and with prices starting at $899 and $999, respectively. The prices have been a hot topic among tech fans but one noticeable difference that future Surface with Windows 8 Pro users should notice is the battery life.

According to a tweet by the official Twitter page of the Microsoft Surface, the battery life will be "approximately half" of what the Surface with Windows RT has.

Twitter reaction to the revelation were not too positive:

@jam3ohio @surface @shahroom What the French Toast! Only 4.5 hrs!!

— John Stutsman (@JohnStutsman) November 29, 2012

@johnstutsman @surface @shahroom Let's wait for battery tests but this looks bad.

— Jim McCarthy (@jam3ohio) November 30, 2012

@surface @shahroom Four hours of battery life makes Surface Pro not exactly an iPad killer. — Markus Möller (@macmark_de) November 30, 2012

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.