Microsoft to sell Surface Windows 8 Pro on Feb 9

(AP) Microsoft says that the pro version of its Surface tablet will be available to purchase Feb. 9 in the U.S. and Canada.

Unlike the previous version that launched in October, the Surface Windows 8 Pro will use the full version of Windows 8, which is compatible with programs that run on earlier versions of Windows.

The tablet will be priced starting at $899 for the model with 64 gigabytes of memory.

The price includes the Surface Pen, which allows users to write or draw on the device.

It does not include the Touch Cover keyboard, which sells separately for $120, or the Type Cover, which has depressible keys, for $130.

Microsoft hasn't released sales figures for the earlier version of Surface, which runs on Windows RT, a slimmed down version of the operating system.

RT only runs apps bought on the Windows store and a modified version of Office that Microsoft included with the device. The pro version of Surface does not come with Office installed.