latest music news

Microsoft has announced its Surface tablet running a full version of Windows 8 will hit the shops in the US in January, selling for 899 dollars (£560) and above.

The current Surface uses the slimmed down Windows RT operating system. As a result, it does not run applications written for desktops and laptops - but the new Surface will.

The price announced is in line with Microsoft's earlier statements that the Pro version would cost about the same as an ultrabook.

The price includes a stylus, but a touch-sensitive keyboard cover is sold separately.

The Touch Cover with printed-on keys costs 120 dollars (£75) while the Type Cover with depressable keys is priced at 130 dollars (£81).

The Pro version of Surface will come with Intel's Core i5 processor, which the company says gives it a graphics boost compared with the RT version.