Microsoft has been keeping the pricing and, to a certain extent, the availability on the Surface Pro tablet to themselves. We knew previously that the Pro version of the Surface would launch about 90 days after the Surface RT, but pricing has been a complete mystery with only the vague promise of being competitively priced with ultrabooks.

Microsoft today has officially announced the availability and pricing for the Surface Pro via a blog post from Panos Panay, General Manager of the Microsoft Surface:

Today, I want to share a bit more detail about the growing Surface family of products and Surface with Windows 8 Pro, specifically around pricing. In January, Surface with Windows 8 Pro will be available in two versions and pricing will start at $899:

· 64GB standalone version at $899

· 128GB standalone version at $999

Both versions will both include a Surface pen with Palm Block technology and include the ability to use a Touch Cover or Type Cover (sold separately).

Surface with Windows 8 Pro uses the same familiar elegant design principles as Surface with Windows RT including the Dark Titanium VaporMg casing, dual 2×2 MIMO antennas designed specifically for Surface and of course the kickstand.

So, what are the differences between this tablet and the Surface RT? I’m glad you aksed and Panay has the answers.

• Next-gen Core i5 processor
• 10.6” 16:9 ClearType display (1920×1080 full HD resolution)
• A full-size USB 3.0 port
• Mini DisplayPort (support for up to a  2560X1440 resolution)
• Surface pen with Palm Block technology
• Can run x86 applications

You can read Panos Panay’s post here.