Microsoft Malaysia has officially announced that the new Surface 2 together with the Type Cover 2 and Touch Cover 2 are hitting Malaysian shores on March 14. This is in response to highly encouraging worldwide customer interest. I’ve been one of the lucky few in Malaysia to have had an in-depth hands-on experience with the new device a couple of weeks ago.
As you’ve probably have noticed, Microsoft has dropped the ‘RT’ moniker from the Surface name, now simply called the Surface. Makes perfect sense.
The Surface, part deux
Microsoft calls the Surface 2, the ‘world’s most productive tablet’, and for good reason. Building upon the strengths of the original ground-breaking Surface tablet, the Surface 2 has a much improved kickstand, fantastic battery life with over 10 hours of video playback, and now powered by an NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor.
The Surface 2 also now packs a 10.6-inch ClearType Full HD display, a ultrafast USB 3.0 port, 5MP HD main camera and 3.5MP front-facing camera.
The Surface 2 retains the ultra durable VaporMg magnesium alloy body, now finished in silver to differentiate it from the Surface 2 Pro.
Applicious
The new tablet comes with Windows RT 8.1, bringing the best blend of productivity and entertainment into a single sexy device. It also conveniently comes preloaded with Microsoft Office Home and Student 2014 RT and Outlook 2013 RT.
What’s a platform without apps? The Windows Store now enjoys a repertoire of over 140,000 apps. Recent big name additions to the store include AirAsia, Discovery News, Facebook, Flipboard for Windows as well as top new game apps Asphalt 8, Airborne, Avengers Initiative, Despicable Me, Minion Rush, Frozen Free Fall by Disney, LEGO Hero Factory Brain Attack and UNO & Friends.
What’s your type?
Together with the new Surface 2, Microsoft has introduced the new Touch Cover 2 and Type Cover 2. The Touch Cover 2 is only 2.75mm thin, features backlit keys and updated sensors, is spill-resistant and simply a more improved keyboard overall.
The Type Cover 2 is the same super-thin, lightweight keyboard as the original Type Cover, now backlit and available in Cyan, Magenta, Purple and Black.
Goodies for new users
With the world inevitably going mobile, online storage has become ubiquitous in our daily lives. With every Surface 2, customers will receive 200GB of free OneDrive storage for two years. Microsoft is also throwing in free Skype calls to landlines in more than 60 countries for one year, and unlimited Skype Wi-Fi at more than 2 million hot sports around the world for one year. Now that my friends, is a steal.
Clicking in, in more countries
Along with Malaysia, Surface 2 is coming to five other new markets on 14 March 2014. This means the Surface 2 will be available in 29 total markets worldwide: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
I had an exclusive hands-on session with Microsoft Surface Product Marketing Manager, Jack Cowett (the Surface 2 is his baby!) a couple of weeks ago. Stay tuned for a hands-on first impressions.
