Microsoft’s answer to the traditional desktop computer is coming. And it’s expensive.
Image: Microsoft
The convertible 28-inch screen is touch sensitive, 12.5mm thick and boasts a retina-scorching 13.5 million pixels. It’s undoubtedly gorgeous — so much so that Surface chief Panos Panay was practically caressing the thing on stage.
So how much would you expect such a luxurious device? Australian pricing isn’t out yet, but judging by the US pricing, it’s going to be a doozy. You could opt for the low test configuration which runs $US3000 ($3925). But at full specs, you’re looking at $US4200 ($5495), according to the company’s preorder page. Four thousand and two hundred US dollars. That’s about $US1000 ($1308) more than a maxed out Surface Book or even a 15-inch Macbook Pro. For that much money you could also buy approximately 200,000 Chromebooks.
What does that kind of scratch get you? An Intel i7 processor, 32GB of RAM, a 4GB NVidia GPU, a 2 TB solid state hard drive for storage, a keyboard, pen and mouse. The weird Dial peripheral (the one that looks like a cross between a paperweight and a weed grinder) will run an extra $US100 ($131) and the ergonomic keyboard variant is another $US120 ($157). All for a beautiful machine that seems far too easy to put your elbow through.