Microsoft revealed the pricing of the next-generation version of its Surface tablet, which will run Windows 8 Pro rather than the cut-down Windows RT used in the presently available product in the range.

With the 64GB version priced at US$899 and the 128GB version at US$999, the pricing puts the devices in the same bracket as a laptop computer, and higher than Apple’s market leading iPad – the most expensive Apple product is the 64GB Wi-Fi and cellular iPad with retina display at US$829.

Arguably, the device is targeting a different market to the iPad, in that it is more of a laptop substitute – the Surface RT is focused on the Android/iOS tablet sector. It is targeting a prosumer/enterprise market, attracted by the ability to run existing Windows Desktop apps.

However, while tablets powered by PC operating systems have been trumpeted for many years – by Microsoft, among others – they have failed to find a market outside of certain niches.

A potential limiting factor for Surface with Windows Pro is battery life – some reports indicate it will only last for half a working day, compared to longer for more mainstream tablets. This is due to the internals of the device being more akin to a laptop (or ultrabook) than a tablet using an evolved mobile platform such as iOS or Android.

As before, Microsoft has a tough line to tread with its new Surface devices: it cannot significantly undercut its device manufacturer partners, who may reduce their support for the platform, limiting consumer choice and reducing the potential impact of Windows 8 Pro in the tablet space.

It also has to price it above the Windows RT-powered Surface, in order to ensure there is differentiation between the two product lines.

According to Taiwanese publication DigiTimes, Microsoft has cut its orders for its current Surface RT devices by a half to two million units, with other device makers offering Windows RT devices also seeing weak sales.

Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, recently described sales of the device as “modest”, although the company’s PR department swiftly argued that he was actually using the term to describe the company’s approach to availability, which remains limited in terms of markets and channels.

The Surface with Windows 8 Pro will be available in January 2013.