Microsoft's Surface tablet might cost between $1K and $2K

Despite all chatter about Microsoft's upcoming Surface tablet being competitively priced, rumors are swirling that it might cost $1,000 at the cheapest, according to The Next Web.

This news comes via a Swedish Web site that lists prices for all four of the future models, including the Windows RT and Window 8 Pro editions. The cheapest of the four models has the price tag of 6,990 kroner, which is $1,002, and the most expensive is 14,990 kroner, equaling $2,150.

Of course, the tablets could cost less in countries with a lower cost of living than Sweden. However, the iPad is significantly cheaper in Sweden; in the online Apple Store, the most expensive iPad is 7,195 kroner or $1,032 but the cheapest is 5,395 kroner or $773.

Microsoft has been vague about the pricing of the Surface tablet, and so far has said only: "Suggested retail pricing will be announced closer to availability and is expected to be competitive with a comparable ARM tablet or Intel ultrabook-class PC. OEMs will have cost and feature parity on Windows 8 and Windows RT." This suggests that the Windows RT would probably cost about $500 and the Pro version would flirt a bit beyond the $1,000 mark.

The Surface will be different than tablets that just run Apple's iOS and Google's Android, since Microsoft is adding in a special keyboard accessory with tactile keys and a full version of Windows. However, it is still slated to compete with the iPad. That means that besides being slick, pretty, and hi-tech, it also needs to be in a similar price range.

Microsoft declined to comment for this article.