LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Microsoft (MSFT 0.54%) says its Surface tablet running a full version of Windows 8 will start selling in January for $899 and up.

The current Surface uses the slimmed-down Windows RT operating system. As a result, it doesn't run applications written for desktops and laptops. The new Surface will.

The price announced Thursday is in line with Microsoft's earlier statements that the Pro version would cost about the same as an ultrabook.

The price includes a stylus, but a touch-sensitive keyboard cover is sold separately. The Touch Cover with printed-on keys costs $120, while the Type Cover with depressable keys is priced at $130.

The Pro version of Surface will come with Intel's (INTC 0.86%) Core i5 processor, which the company says gives it a graphics boost compared with the RT version.