Microsoft to price new tablet near same as iPad

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Microsoft said on Tuesday its new Surface tablet computer - designed to challenge Apple's iPad - will be sold at roughly the same price as the market leader.

Microsoft began taking pre-orders for the Surface, which will start at US$499 (S$610) for United States (US) customers for a tablet with 32 gigabytes of memory. A 64GB version bundled with a black touch cover is priced at $699.

The prices are in line with the iPad, which begins at US$499 but with less memory. Apple is expected to unveil a low-priced "iPad Mini" next week.

Surface will be available Oct 26 at Microsoft Store locations in the United States and Canada and will be sold online in eight markets: Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Britain and the United States.