Microsoft Surface with Windows 8 Pro Release Date, Pricing

Panos Panay, general manager of Microsoft Surface, today announced the pricing of the Surface with Windows 8 Pro.

The device will be available in January and in two versions.

The 64GB standalone version of the Surface will sell at $899 and the 128GB standalone version will go at $999.

Panay said both versions will both include a Surface pen with Palm Block technology and include the ability to use a Touch Cover or Type Cover, which will be sold separately.

"This is an amazing feature for all you note-takers or document editors out there, especially since it has expanded capacitive and digitizing technology we're calling Palm Block that will prevent your handwriting from getting interrupted if you accidentally place your palm on the screen as you write," Panay said. "This feature is pretty cool, and allows for a great inking experience alongside a great touch experience when needed."

The Surface with Windows 8 Pro will feature Intel's next generation Core i5 processor, run current Windows 7 desktop applications, have a full-size USB 3.0 port and its Mini DisplayPort can drive an external display up to 2560X1440 resolution.

In October, Microsoft released Surface with Windows RT. The 16GB model of the tablet costs $499, the 32GB version of the tablet with a black touch cover costs $599 and the 64GB version with a black touch cover cost $699.