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​This is Surface! Microsoft declares war on Apple as hybrid lands in NZ

​This is Surface! Microsoft declares war on Apple as hybrid lands in NZ

Microsoft officially releases Surface Pro 4 in New Zealand, declaring war against Apple’s iPad Pro in the process.

Microsoft Surface Pro 4

Microsoft Surface Pro 4

Microsoft has officially released the Surface Pro 4 in New Zealand, declaring war against Apple’s soon to be unveiled iPad Pro in the process.

Billed as the “tablet that replaces your laptop”, the device aims to unlock the potential of Windows 10, boasting 30 percent more power than its predecessor, the Surface Pro 3.

Microsoft says the Surface Pro 4 will start from $1,599, but prices for the premium hybrid device vary, reaching as high as $3,999 for 16GB RAM on an Intel Core i7.

Released amidst growing market competition within the hybrid device space, Microsoft will be hoping its much improved Surface range hits the sweet spot with Kiwis, who now also have the option of Apple’s new iPad Pro.

With pre-orders starting on November 11, the iPad Pro starts at $1,399 for the 32GB with Wi-Fi model and $1,899 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular 128GB model.

But as revealed at Redmond’s Windows 10 launch last month, Microsoft will be hoping the Surface Pro 4 does enough to not only keep current customers happy, but potentially lure the fanboys over to the dark side.

“It’s been three years since we launched the first Surface and it’s really amazing how far the product family has come in that time,” said Panos Panay, Corporate Vice President of Devices, Microsoft, at the time of the unveiling.

“We’ve seen people embrace the idea of a tablet that can replace your laptop and Surface Pro has become a hit with consumers and business.

“In fact, Surface Pro 4 amassed the fastest adoption rate by businesses of any Surface device to date.

“As a team, we took everything we learned from Surface Pro and used it to help us think about the laptop in a fundamentally new way.”

In essence, the Surface Pro 4 follows the same footprint of the Surface Pro 3.

While the height and width are the same, the screen size has increased from 12 inches to 12.3 inches, with the screen in particular making huge strides.

Read more: ​Datacom gets Tier 1 status in Microsoft cloud provider program

“We created PixelSense technology to light up every one of your senses,” Panay explained.

“With 5 million pixels (a 60 percent increase over Surface Pro 3) and contrast ratio of 1300:1, it delivers as much content as a 13” laptop, and with 267 PPI images and text both look amazing.”

“With Windows 10 and these new Microsoft devices, you are at the centre of magical new experiences,” adds Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft.

“We’re moving people from needing to choosing to loving Windows, and these devices promise to fuel even more enthusiasm and opportunity for the entire Windows ecosystem.”

But in answering the big question on the lips of New Zealanders, how does the Surface Pro 4 stack up against the iPad Pro in terms of pricing?

Surface Pro 4:

  • 128GB / Intel Core m3 - 4GB RAM - $1,599
  • 128GB / Intel Core i5 - 4GB RAM - $1,799
  • 256GB / Intel Core i5 - 8GB RAM - $2,349
  • 256GB / Intel Core i7 - 8GB RAM - $2,899
  • 256GB / Intel Core i7 - 16GB RAM - $3,249
  • 512GB / Intel Core i7 - 16GB RAM - $3,999

iPad Pro:

  • 32GB with Wi-Fi - $1,399
  • 128GB with Wi-Fi + Cellular - $1,899

Want to see more of the Surface Pro 4? Check out IDG TV's hands-on video of the new product by clicking here

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Tags MicrosoftAppleioslaptopPCTabletWindows 10iPad ProSurface Pro 4

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