The first Microsoft tablet in the United States will cost from $ 499 - for a model with 32 GB of memory and without a keyboard

The price of the Microsoft Surface tablet with the Windows RT operating system will begin in the American market from $ 499 for the junior model with 32 GB of RAM and without the applied keyboard, which is comparable to the cost of Apple iPad.

Information about the price of the device appeared on the official website of Microsoft on Tuesday, but after some time it was deleted, RIA Novosti reports with reference to the Techniccrunch Technoblog.

It was previously expected that the price of Microsoft Surface - a new player in the tablet market - will be significantly lower than competing products, in the first Apple iPad, the price of which begins in the United States from $ 499 (model with 16 GB of memory).

According to rumors, Microsoft could set the price of Surface at $ 200-300, but this caused a negative reaction of partner companies that are forced to buy Windows licenses. Moreover, some manufacturers of personal computers negatively perceived the news that Microsoft plans to independently produce Surface tablets, but the head of the company Steve Balmer made it clear that Microsoft partners had no other choice but to come to terms with the new corporation strategy.

On the other hand, earlier rumors were not confirmed that the price of the first Microsoft tablet will begin in the region of $ 800-900.

It is expected that Surface tablets using ARM processors and a “lightweight” Windows RT operating system complete with free Office will appear on sale on October 29, simultaneously with Windows 8. An advanced version of the Intel chips and a full -fledged Windows 8 Professional should be released at the beginning of the next year.