Microsoft announced the Power Cover keyboard attachment last September at the same time that it unveiled updated versions of its Surface slates.
While the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 hit stores the following month, the Power Cover has been noticeable by its absence – until now.
As reported by ZD Net on Monday, the Power Cover is set to start shipping March 19 with a $200 price tag. the device is available for pre-order now.
If the pre-publicity passed you by, and you didn’t already guess from the name, the Power Cover is essentially a Type Cover with a built-in battery that should keep your Surface running for up to 70 percent longer.
There are a few notable differences between the Power Cover and the Type 2 and Touch 2 covers. For starters, the Power Cover has no back-lit keys, and at 0.55 pounds (255g) it’s a little heavier than the Touch Cover 2 (0.42 pounds / 190g), though, according to Microsoft’s “tech specs” on the device’s webpage, equal in weight to the Type Cover 2.
Thickness-wise, the Power Cover comes in at a decent enough 9mm, while the Type 2 cover is slightly thinner at 5mm. At 2.55mm, the Touch Cover 2 is the thinnest of the bunch.
And, as you’d expect, the new Power Cover – which is compatible with the Surface Pro, Pro 2 and Surface 2 machines – is the least wallet-friendly, costing $70 more than the Type 2 and $80 more than the Touch 2.
Still, if longer battery life for your Surface is a priority – and the hefty price tag doesn’t put you off – the Power Cover should sort you out. Initial availability includes the US, Canada and Japan, though in time it should be rolled out to other locations, too.
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