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"Microsoft unveiled the Surface Pro 2 at its event on Monday, the successor to its first-generation tablet that won kudos for its design approach as well as its bold attempt to dislodge the iPad's hold on the market.\nWhile we now know that the Surface Pro didn\u2019t fare as well as Microsoft might have hoped, the updated version offered several new features that may spark new interest in the company\u2019s tablet efforts.\nSee also: How Microsoft Could Rebrand Itself [PICS]\nFrom the outset it was clear that Microsoft listened to user complaints about the Surface Pro\u2019s battery life, as the Surface Pro 2 reportedly offers an amazing 75% improvement in battery life. The battery upgrade instantly makes the Surface Pro 2 a device better suited for heavy usage throughout the day rather than sparingly in battery-conscious spurts.\nIn addition to the overall battery improvement, using the device\u2019s added power cover will effectively\u00A0add 2.4-times the battery life to the tablet.\u00A0The device\u2019s battery life will also be helped by the addition of Intel\u2019s Haswell processor.\nLike Microsoft\u2019s first unveiling of the Surface line of tablets, the company still has a lot of pride in its work on the device\u2019s kickstand, which received a small modification that allows it to be adjusted into two different positions.\nThe new tablet will also get an updated docking station sporting four USB ports (three USB 2.0 ports and one USB 3.0 port) as well as audio in and out ports, an Ethernet port, and a mini Display port.\nMicrosoft also unveiled the Surface 2 at its Monday event, which is lighter and thinner than ever before.\nYet another hardware upgrade comes in the area of keyboards with the unveiling of the Type Cover 2, which will sell for $129.99, is backlit, comes in several colors, and draws its power from the tablet. The new, thinner Touch Cover 2, which will sell for $119.99, is also backlit, and will also be offered in a variety of colors.\nIn the past, one of the key differences between the Surface Pro and the iPad touted by Microsoft was the ability to use the tablet as a full-fledged productivity device. Microsoft has now doubled down on this focus on productivity by including the ability to process raw 6K video footage sent directly into the Surface Pro 2.\nOffered with hard drive configurations of 64GB and 128GB, the aggressive features included in the upgraded tablet indicate that Microsoft has no plans to step away from the tablet wars, despite a somewhat lackluster beginning. However, those looking to give the new hardware a spin will have to be prepared to pay a premium as the device will sell for $899, with pre-orders beginning on September 24 and initial retail availability in the U.S., Canada, Australia, China and parts of Europe beginning October 22.\n\n\nMicrosoft Surface Event \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanos Panay\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPress\nPress awaits access to Microsoft's Surface Event in New York City. \n\nImage:  Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLines outside of Microsoft's Surface event\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSurface\nThe audience awaits the unveiling of the Surface Pro 2 in New York City.\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanos Panay Reveals Surface Pro 2\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSurface Pro 2\nFaster than 95% of all ultrabooks on the market, Surface Pro 2 is a 75% improvement in battery life.\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSurface Pro 2\nThe Surface Pro 2 offers an amazing 75% improvement in battery life. \n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanos Panay\n\"The point of this product is to work fast. The need of this product is to work all the time.\"\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanos Panay\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOffice on Surface 2\nGetting the entire, proper Office suite on the Surface is a big deal -- this was one of the biggest things holding it back.\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSkyDrive on Surface 2\nThe new Surface 2 comes with 200GB of free SkyDrive storage.\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSkype on Surface 2\nMicrosoft is playing up video chat functionality and is offering free international Skype calling and hotspot Wi-Fi when you buy a Surface 2 or Pro 2.\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSkype on Surface 2\nMicrosoft added a third-inch sensor on the front camera, which will help lighten up surroundings when using the webcam. \n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\nImages: Mashable, Christina Ascani"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2013/09/23/microsoft-surface-pro-2/>