Microsoft will sell consumer and professional versions of Surface Pro 6, Laptop 2

When Microsoft last year introduced its new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop last year, each of them shipped by default with a single edition of Windows 10. The Pro bundled with Windows 10 Pro. The original Laptop Surface comes with Windows 10 S (which was later called "Windows 10 Pro Mode S"). But when the new Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2 are shipped later this month, customers will have new choices.

Surface Pro 6 comes in two versions: a consumer version under Windows 10 Home or a professional version under Windows 10 Pro. Surface Laptop 2 users will have the same choice: a consumer edition with Windows 10 Home or Professional Edition and another with Windows 10 Pro. (Microsoft officials did not mention Windows 10 in S mode at the launch of the new Surface devices on Oct. 2.)

The basic hardware is the same, no matter if a customer chooses Home or Pro on new Surfaces, confirmed a spokesman for Microsoft. The new Surface Pro 6 and the Surface Laptop 2 are equipped with 8th generation Intel quad-core processors.

Customers who purchase Professional versions of Surface Pro 6 or Surface Laptop 2 will benefit from Microsoft's "Advanced Exchange" warranty at no additional charge. Advanced Exchange offers accelerated replacement of the device at no additional charge. At the Ignite IT pro conference last week, Microsoft officials announced that Microsoft's advanced exchange warranty would be extended to new Surface devices.

Prices will be different for the commercial and consumer versions of Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2. Both versions are available for pre-order starting today, October 2nd. Their delivery is scheduled for October 16th. no keyboard or pen included) and Pro 6 for $ 899 (also without keyboard or pen included).

Microsoft charges more for Windows 10 Pro than for the home version, but I do not yet have the exact price differences between the consumer and professional configurations of these devices. I have requested more information from Microsoft and will update this message as soon as I become aware.