The Redmond-based technology giant will release the device this month

Jan 4, 2013 13:42 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft refuses to disclose official Surface RT sales information, but analysts and retailers across the world claim that the company’s first tablet in history isn’t selling too well right now.

Everybody’s expecting the Surface with Windows 8 Pro, the second tablet in the Surface product family that’ll feature Windows 8 Pro and will provide support for legacy apps.

Davenport & Co. analyst Drake Johnstone told AllThingsD that the Surface Pro has the potential to attract many more users to Microsoft’s portfolio, especially because it could replace laptops in some companies.

“It is possible that Microsoft could generate solid enterprise demand for the new Surface Pro tablet. [It] will run legacy Windows 7 software applications (including Microsoft Office) and will also run Windows 8 applications. It is possible that corporations could be attracted to the Surface Pro tablet as a replacement for laptop PCs,” Johnstone was quoted as saying.

Although it’s too early to say whether the Surface Pro could replace a laptop or not, the device would provide almost half the battery performance of the Surface RT, which means that it may have an autonomy of approximately 4 hours.

The biggest problem, however, remains the price.

The Surface with Windows 8 Pro will be offered in two different versions, with the entry-level model featuring 64 GB of storage space to be sold for $899 (€690). The second version will pack 128 GB of storage and will wear a price tag of $999 (€770).

While they won’t feature a Touch or a Type Cover, the Surface with Windows 8 Pro tablets will be shipped with a Surface pen with Palm Block technology supposed to improve productivity.

Even though Microsoft is yet to announce the release date of the new tablet, sources familiar with the matter have told us that the tablet may see daylight on January 29.

The full list of technical specifications is available here.