Microsoft launches Surface Pro in India to Overtake Apple

With Apple’s ongoing success in India with the iPad, iPad Mini and Macbook models, Microsoft is looking to overthrow the tech giant. In New Delhi, Microsoft launched the Surface Pro 4 in an event.

For those who do not know, the Surface Pro 4 is Microsoft’s high-end PC-cum-Tablet with detachable keyboard.

"Our goal is to take substantial share in both the tablet market and PC market. In the high-end laptop market, Surface will absolutely be a key player,” said Tyler Bryson, GM of Marketing and Operations, Microsoft India.

The launch of the Surface Pro 4 was announced in 2015, where Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, stated that the device would be released in January 2016. In the US, it was launched in October 2015 at a price of $899.

The Surface Pro 4 was launched at a starting price of Rs.89,990, a version with Core i5 processor, 128GB SSD HD and 8GB RAM. The upgraded version – Core i5, 256GB SSD HD and 8GB RAM – is priced at Rs.1,20,990. The top-most variant – Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 250GB SSD HD – is priced at Rs.1,44,990. Microsoft also launched the 2013 Surface Pro 3 at a price of Rs.73,990, with a Core i3 processor, 4 GB RAM and 128 GB SSD HD.

The Surface Pro 4 has a 12-inch screen, USB 3.0 port, Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi, card reader and a Mini-Display Port. It has a rear camera of 8MP and a front camera of 5MP. Dolby Digital audio is added for enhanced sound. The battery life is decent, around 9 hours on a full charge.

Additional accessories include the Surface Pen at Rs.5,990 and the Surface Pro 4 Type Cover keyboard (detachable) at Rs.12,490, which is available in blue and black. All devices run the Windows 10 OS. Another cool feature about the Surface Pen – by clicking a button on the top of the pen, Cortana is activated.

The attempt at creating a device like Surface Pro 4 is Microsoft directly competing with the likes of Apple, Samsung and Panasonic. According to Microsoft, the Surface Pro 4 is 30% faster than the Surface Pro 3, and 50% faster than the Apple Macbook.

"We are not shy about saying that anybody that bought an Apple Macbook or MacBook Air should be looking at this device very closely,” Tyler Bryson said.

The devices are available via Amazon India only for 6 months, with shipping beginning on January 14. Microsoft stores across Noida, Delhi, Gurgaon, Bengaluru and Mumbai also have the devices for users to try out and buy.