Microsoft on Monday announced it will begin shipping its productivity-enhancing Surface Power Cover in a week’s time.
Although the Surface Power Cover was announced during the launch of Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 last year, it wasn’t immediately available for sale. At that time, Microsoft officials said the Power Covers would be available in ‘early 2014’. The time is finally here.
The March 19, 2014 shipping date was disclosed on Monday, when Microsoft Store listing went live with pre-orders for the $199 covers. The most interesting thing about the Power cover as claimed by the Windows 8 maker is that the cover extends the battery life of Microsoft’s Surface Pro, Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 tablets by up to 70 percent.
While the Power cover will increase battery life of the Surface 2 tablets up to 70 percent, the Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 battery life will be increased up to 60 percent. The company’s initial Surface RT tablet will not be compatible with the Power Cover.
The Power Cover, which will snap onto the tablet just like other Microsoft’s Surface covers, will also charge the device while it’s in use.
“Work with the speed and functionality of a classic laptop keyboard while extending the battery life of your Surface up to 70 percent with the Power Cover. It also recharges your Surface’s battery while you work. You’ll have plenty of juice to stay unplugged all day in the office, during a full day of classes, or on a cross-country flight”, said Microsoft.
The new Surface cover, which weighs .55 pounds and is 9.75 mm thick, will come with all the standard features of a classic QWERTY keyboard, including a full row of function keys (F1-F12), Windows shortcut keys, media controls, and a track pad functioning same as the standard Type Cover. It will lack the back-lit keys that the other Surface keyboards include.
The Power Cover is yet to be made available in the UK.