Microsoft marks Surface Pro 2 launch with giant tablet in Trafalgar Square

Yes, that really is a twenty foot high Surface tablet. Microsoft unveiled the giant installation this morning in the centre of London to celebrate the launch of its Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 tablets, which went on sale earlier this week.

Anyone visiting Trafalgar Square today will be able to get on stage and test their maths skills, jumping on the oversized Touch cover to enter their answers. Microsoft has also enlisted several celebrities to promote Surface, with Dizzee Rascal making an appearance before lunch.

Although they went on sale a little earlier than planned when Argos allowed some customers, including The Verge, to pick up their tablets on the 19th, both tablets went on sale officially on Tuesday.

The Surface Pro 2 is the more powerful of the pair, running the full version of Windows 8.1 with a 4th Generation Intel Haswell Core i5 processor that improves performance by up to 20% and battery life by as much as 70%.

The active stylus makes a return, the 10.6in, Full HD display gains a little more colour accuracy and the integrated kick stand now has a second locking position to make laptop use a little more comfortable.

The Surface 2, meanwhile, drops the RT moniker of the Surface RT and upgrades to an Nvidia Tegra 4 processor and Full HD display.

Both are available to buy now from the Microsoft Store, or from high street retailers John Lewis and Currys. Prices start from £359 for a 32GB Surface 2, and from £719 for a 64GB Surface Pro 2.

Microsoft also reduced the US retail price of the original Surface Pro tablet this week, taking $100 off the RRP to bring it to $699 – $200 less than the Surface Pro 2. There’s currently no indication as to whether the price cut will be heading to the UK, although it seems unlikely as you can now only buy the first generation tablet from third-party retailers – it’s no longer available on the Microsoft store.