Microsoft Surface 2 Set For 23 September Launch

Microsoft is expected to launch the second-generation version of its Surface RT and Surface Pro tablets on 23 September after the company sent out invites to the media for an event in New York City.

Both versions of the Windows 8-based tablets are expected to receive a number of upgrades, but it is understood there will be no debut for the rumoured seven-inch Microsoft tablet which would compete with cheaper devices like the Google Nexus 7 and iPad Mini.

It has been suggested the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 will be powered by an Intel Haswell processor, which should improve battery life by around two hours, while both models will be boosted by 8GB of RAM.

Microsoft Surface 2

The Windows RT 8.1 based Microsoft Surface 2 will apparently drop the term ‘RT’ from its name, but will ship with a 1080p display and an Nvidia Tegra 4 processor. Both iterations will apparently feature a two-stage kickstand but will be cosmetically similar to current models. A new power cover accessory with a built-in battery is also likely to be shown off at the event.

Windows RT has been the target of criticism from a number of technology companies since it was launched, with many manufacturing partners angered by Microsoft for creating its own tablet running the operating system. Windows 8.1 adds a number of improvements, including enhanced applications, Internet Explorer 11 and the return of the start button, but not the start menu.

Microsoft has reportedly shipped 900,000 Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface RT tablets since the latter launched in October last year, but Windows RT accounts for just 0.4 percent of the tablet market and Windows 8 Pro 3.3 percent, according to IDC.

The gamble appears to have backfired with outgoing Microsoft CEO admitting to poor sales of the Surface RT, but Nokia, which Microsoft bought last week in a £4.6 billion deal, is believed to be working on a 10.1 inch Windows RT-based tablet code-named Vanquish.

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