Microsoft: UK Surface Pro launch just weeks away

Microsoft unveils latest stage of tablet rollout but keeps quiet on channel plans

Microsoft has given its biggest hint yet on when the Surface Pro will be available in the UK, claiming that it will arrive here "in the coming months".

On the Official Surface blog, the vendor announced that the global rollout of the business-focused tablet will begin from the end of this month. The Pro device will be made available in the UK, Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong and New Zealand from the end of March.

The software giant remained tight-lipped as ever regarding whether the channel will be able to sell the tablet, and was unavailable to comment on the matter at the time of publication. The Surface Pro launched in the US and Canada last month with no involvement of the channel in those regions, according to the US CRN.

Microsoft also kept mum on the Surface Pro's UK pricing. The 32GB Surface RT currently retails for £399 in the UK while the 64GB machine is priced at £479.

Last week, a Context analyst claimed that if Microsoft did not lean on the channel for Surface Pro, it could be "suicide", and forecast a short life span for the device.

Microsoft's Surface RT tablet was launched in the UK in the run-up to Christmas last year and is set to become available in Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore and Taiwan in the latest stage of the rollout.

The vendor claimed worldwide response to both tablets have been "exciting to see" and insisted that it is working "super hard" to get new inventory into retail.

On its blog post, Microsoft said: "We are focused on meeting demand in current markets for Surface Pro and are working super hard to get new inventory into retail but recognise demand exists in other countries as well.

"We are committed to working with our retail partners to ensure we are delivering a great experience in the above-mentioned countries for our customers."