Microsoft is taking pre-orders for the battery-boosting power cover for Surface tablets starting at $199.99; shipping starts next week.
Microsoft has been experimenting with its Surface tablet series for quite some time now. During the launch of Surface 2 last September, the software giant announced the Surface Power Cover will be available early 2014. Staying true to its word, Microsoft is now taking pre-orders for the battery-boosting cover for Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 series. The device's store listing shows the shipment starts next Wednesday, March 19.
Pre-order the Power Cover for @Surface Pro, Surface 2 or Surface Pro 2 today. https://t.co/lvCgBrDmmx
- Microsoft Store (@MicrosoftStore) March 10, 2014
The new accessory for Surface tablets is said to extend the battery life of Microsoft slates by as much as 70 percent. The cover is 3mm thicker and weighs more than the original Type Cover, mainly because the built-in battery, which offers as much power as the Surface's built-in battery. The cover does not wait until the Surface's battery is exhausted, but uses the additional battery first. This extends the running time of the Surface Pros as much as 60 percent and the ARM-powered Surface 2 power by 70 percent, the company said after a continuous video streaming test.
While the Power Cover is compatible with the latest tablets from Microsoft, the original ARM-powered Surface RT is left out in the cold.
Besides the battery-boosting feature there are no other changes. The Power Cover had shallow keys with a small trackpad at the bottom available previously. But unlike the latest Type Cover 2, the Power Cover lacks back-lit keys.
If battery has been a concern for you with the Surface 2, Surface Pro or the Surface Pro 2, then the new Power Cover will come in handy. This new accessory comes with an expensive price tag. Microsoft is taking pre-orders for the new cover for $199.99 and starts shipping the device March 19. The credit card used to pre-order the cover will only be charged after the order is shipped. Order can be canceled at any time before the product is dispatched.
