Surface With Windows 8 Pro Tablet Due February 9

Better late than never is perhaps what Microsoft and the few advocates of the operating system are perhaps saying. Originally announced for a January launch, the souped-up version of the Surface tablet will now be arriving on February 9.

The original Surface launched last fall with Windows RT and with very little fanfare among consumers. Despite some neat innovations, like the cover that doubles as a keyboard, many were not impressed enough to drop the iPad (and iPad Mini) and pick one up. Which Microsoft had hoped for.

Much of the apathy stems from the latest version of Microsoft's operating system, Windows 8, which has caused a great deal of consternation on the desktop side of things, including gamers. Just aske Gabe Newell.

The thing is, Windows 8 is optimized for tablets, not desktops. Yet Microsoft's flagship portable, the Surface, shipped with a much less powerful iteration, Windows RT. It is hoped that Surface With Windows 8 Pro will be the device that many have been waiting for.

Including gamers, who want the portability of an iPad but the powerful (and library) of a traditional PC. Unfortunately, it will cost a pretty penny; the 64GB model will retail for $899 and the 128GB model will cost $999. As for that fancy keyboard cover? That's $120 or $130, depending on the model, and sold separately.