Microsoft Surface to be launched on October 26

Software giant Microsoft has planned to launch its tablet Surface on Ocotober 26, the same time as the release of Windows 8 operating system.

Microsoft confirmed this in its annual report that said, "The next version of our operating system, Windows 8, will be generally available on Oct 26, 2012. At that time, we will begin selling the Surface, a series of Microsoft-designed and manufactured hardware devices."

Only one version of the Surface Microsoft will be available for sale. The device, based on ARM processors rather than Intel's, is the first computer the Windows-maker has ever produced itself.

Speculations have been rife about the price of the tablet. They may cost between $1,000 and $2,150, according to The Next Web, which cited a report from a Swedish website.

The Swedish website says the cheapest among the four Microsoft tablets is priced at 6,990 kroner ($1,002) and the most expensive one at 14,990 kroner ($2,150).

If it is true, then the Microsoft Surface tablets would cost significantly higher than offerings from other competitors.

In Sweden, the most expensive version of iPad costs 7,195 kroner ($1,032), CNET.com said, quoting prices from Apple's online store.

Though Microsoft managed to generate a lot of excitement around its new tablet Surface , the company left many guessing about its price.

Microsoft only said that the low-power version of Surface using Nvidia chips will cost about the same as other tablets, while a version that runs Windows 8 Pro will cost about the same as other ultrabooks with Intel processors.