Australian Surface Pro launch date, pricing announced

Microsoft has finally released the details around the local launch of its Surface Pro in Australia, four months after the device’s initial launch.

Linked gallery: In pictures: Microsoft's Surface Pro

The Surface Pro will touch down on May 30, at $999 for the 64GB version and $1099 for the 128GB version.

Adding the keyboard/cover accessories will set buyers back $149.99 for the tactile, raised key Type cover and $139.99 for the flat, touch-sensitive Touch cover. Both covers protect the tablet when folded up and serve as keypads when opened. 

Surface Pro will be available through Microsoft’s online store as well as JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman. 

The Windows 8 tablet sells for US$899 ($A862) for the 64GB model and $US999 (A$968) for the 128GB model in the US. 

Australia is one of 18 countries to receive the tablet before the end of May, with another five scheduled to launch before the end of June. The US, Canada and China received the tablet convertible in late January. 

The launch of the Surface Pro follows last year’s arrival of its sister Surface RT. The RT runs a hobbled version of Windows 8 for mobile, called Windows RT, on an ARM chip. It is priced from $559 for the 32GB model.

The Surface Pro is targeted at business users, running the full operating system on an Intel x86-based chip. It also includes a stylus, 4GB RAM, USB 3.0m, microSDXC slot, two 720p cameras and a two-year warranty. 

Microsoft did not respond to request for comment on the delayed local arrival of the Surface Pro, but last month said in a blog post it had experienced stock issues with the 128GB Surface Pro in the US and Canada, and had wanted to ensure it had the volume of devices in place before making announcements about further regional availability.