Microsoft Surface 2 (4G) available for pre-order in the UK from today

by Mark Tyson on 10 April 2014, 10:01

Tags: Surface

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Microsoft has today announced that its "next generation of Surface 2", the Surface 2 (4G), is now available for pre-order via the Microsoft Store online in the UK. The tablet hybrid is also said to be available from 8th May at a number of high street retailers and associated online outlets. US residents got a Surface 2 4G, tied to AT&T, just over three weeks ago.

The Surface 2 (4G) is touted as "allowing more people to stay connected and be even more productive on the go," thanks to its cellular connectivity in addition to the regular Wi-Fi connection. Of course it can connect with a variety of mobile data networks at up to 4G LTE speeds.

A micro-SIM card slot allows users to choose a mobile network provider and get connected on the go. Otherwise the Microsoft Surface 2 (4G) is very much the same machine as the Surface 2. Under the VaporMg hood processing is taken care of by an Nvidia Tegra 4 processor with 2GB of RAM. There's 64GB of storage built-in and a microSDXC card reader (plus full sized USB 3.0 port). You get a ClearType 1920 x 1080 pixel 5-point multi-touch screen. A 3.5 megapixel front-facing and a 5.0 megapixel rear-facing camera are built-in. You should get a battery life of up to 10 hours (video playback). The OS is Windows RT 8.1 and Office Home & Student RT and Outlook RT are pre-loaded. We are  informed that the Surface 2 (4G) weighs 10g more than the Surface 2 – if that's important to anyone.

Microsoft's press release suggests that only a 64GB version of the Surface 2 (4G) will be available at launch with an estimated retail price of £539. However it does a little to sweeten the deal; new customers will receive free Skype calling to landlines in more than 60 countries and unlimited Skype Wi-Fi at more than 2 million hot spots worldwide for one year, also 200 GB of free OneDrive storage will be provided for two years.

At the time of writing Microsoft hasn't yet updated its UK Store website with the Surface 2 (4G) and its associated product information and pre-order page.

UPDATE: here is the pre-order page.

HEXUS Forums :: 22 Comments

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Posted by lumireleon - Thu 10 Apr 2014 10:26
Its a beautiful tablet.
Posted by 3dcandy - Thu 10 Apr 2014 10:55
at a beautiful price…
Posted by Saracen - Thu 10 Apr 2014 11:32
Not interested, at any price. I'm still angry enough at MS over shoving W8 MUI down our throats to leverage these and Windows Phones that I will not consider buying either, regardless of price. MS are on my personal vendor blacklist, at least until (and if) they reverse their attitude over MUI.
Posted by herulach - Thu 10 Apr 2014 11:34
Y U NO ATOM!

Even at £7/800 an atom version of this would fly off the shelves, both to individuals and to corporates. As it is I really can't see this shifting. Full office compatibility is nice, but it won't be able to compete with iPad at those prices simply due to the lack of apps/brand recognition.
Posted by crossy - Thu 10 Apr 2014 12:06
3dcandy
at a beautiful price…
So unless you need that 64GB, go for the Nokia 2520 - sure it's only 32GB internal storage but uSD cards are cheap and the Nokia is only £399 with 2 year guarantee from John Lewis. Spec isn't bad either: “Nokia Lumia 2520 Tablet, Qualcomm (quad core) Snapdragon, Windows RT 8.1, 10.1”, 32GB, Wi-Fi & 4G LTE, Black".
herulach
Y U NO ATOM! Even at £7/800 an atom version of this would fly off the shelves, both to individuals and to corporates.
At £700 that's a fail - can just about buy two laptops for that. And it's not necessary anyway - there's stuff like the Omni 10 which is Atom equipped, but only £249 at the moment, so a good £150 cheaper than an iPad, but it's more capable. That's what Microsoft need to do - get some good “budget” models out there. Oh and at £399 the Nokia 2520 is too expensive unless that includes the Power Keyboard (which it doesn't) - £299 is a more “comfortable” price in my mind. That said, I got my missus' one on discount anyway. And it's an excellent device!

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