14 DAY TRIAL // Usually, when companies release new products, be they cars, tablets, mobile phones or any other gadget, consumers are allowed to place a pre-order, just to make sure they get their hands on the new thing as soon as possible.
Microsoft is reportedly planning to skip a pre-order campaign for the Surface with Windows 8 Pro, so those who wish to buy the new tablet have no other choice than to pay a visit to the Microsoft Store on February 9.
Back in October when Microsoft rolled out the Surface RT, the company also started a pre-order program 10 days before the official debut. The device was sold out in less than 24 hours in the United States, even though the Surface RT was often deemed a pretty expensive gadget.
Now, Panos Panay, the man in charge with the Surface business at Microsoft, refuses to comment on a possible pre-order campaign for the Surface Pro, hinting that those who wish to buy the device must get it on February 9.
“Thanks for the excitement. Surface Pro is on track for February 9,” he said in a tweet when asked about pre-orders.
Microsoft most likely wants to see people getting in line to buy a Surface Pro, but also to make sure that it has enough devices to keep up with demand.
The upcoming tablet will feature the full version of Windows 8, so it’ll come with support for desktop applications, as compared to the Surface RT that only works with software compatible with Windows RT. The device will be offered in two different versions, with 64 GB and 128 GB of storage space, but it won’t be sold with a Touch Cover.
Instead, Microsoft will include a Surface Touch Pen stylus in the package to make drawing and writing on the tablet a bit easier when working in either the Metro or the desktop mode.