Top-of-the-range Microsoft Surface Book, sir? That'll be $3,199

Microsoft demands arm, leg, shirt off back AND your first-born for its new Surface Book

Microsoft has revealed the price of its top-of-the-range Surface Book, presented at its big launch at the beginning of the month - and buyers are going to have to save hard if they want to purchase it.

The big-screen device comes with an Intel Core i7 microprocessor, 1TB of SSD storage and 16GB of memory to play with. But buyers will have to fork out $3,199, with the UK price likely to weigh-in at around £2,200 or more, with the "type cover" costing £109.99 extra.

Microsoft does, though, very generously include the "Surface Pen" in the purchase price, even if it doesn't quite come up to the fancy standards of the recently unveiled $99 "Apple Pencil".

The Surface Book became available for pre-order overnight on Microsoft's US website, and the UK website is expected to follow suit today.

Computing has long been a supporter of the Microsoft Surface concept and form-factor, even if the first models - especially those running non-standard Windows RT - were ultimately flawed in a number of ways. The first Surface Pros, for example, have a tendency to overheat, and the cooling fans can be noisy.

The Surface Pro 3, however, has proven to be a polished and well-finished machine. Computing reviewer Peter Gothard described it, out of the box, as "basically like what Microsoft should have brought us with the original Surface Pro. It's lighter, flatter, but has a more conveniently-sized screen for productivity, and its kickstand and keyboard are now advantages, rather than borderline inconveniences".

In a long-term user review, he added: "It's impeccably designed, slim, light and seems to improve on almost every shortcoming of its predecessors."

Microsoft's attempt to pitch the devices at the high end has made them look somewhat pricey even compared to the already somewhat pricey Apple MacBooks. However, Microsoft has already sold out of its first batch of pre-orders, and new orders have been given shipping dates of up to six weeks, with the 1TB Surface Books not shipping until 22 January 2016.

Santa will therefore have to use something else to track his deliveries over Christmas.