The Microsoft Surface 2 is now official as the second-generation Surface RT tablet, sporting a full HD display, a Tegra 4 processor and other improvements over its predecessor.

The original Surface RT tablet was not so well-received and drew a big hole through the company's budget, but apparently it hasn't stopped Microsoft from going at it again. The second-generation Windows RT tablet, called Surface 2, now runs Windows RT 8.1, which is still not the full version of the OS.

In terms of design, the second-generation Surface RT tablet looks nearly identical to its predecessor, but it does sport some notable changes in the specs department. First of all, Microsoft updated the display and brought it to Full HD standards. The Microsoft Surface 2 sports a 10.6-inch display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a great improvement over the original tablet's 1366 x 768 display.

Under the hood, Microsoft packed the new Tegra 4 processor paired with 4GB of RAM, which should make the tablet run three to four times faster than the original model. The new Surface 2 also boasts an improved battery performance that should be 25 percent longer than that of its predecessor. According to the company, the Surface 2's battery should last for up to 10 hours of video playback. The new model also has a USB 3.0 port, replacing the USB 2.0 on the original slate.

The new Microsoft Surface 2 will be available in two color options - silver and black - with a black bezel around the display. The 32GB model will retail for $449, while the 64GB version will go up to $499.

Interested buyers can pre-order the new Microsoft Surface 2 online starting on Tuesday, Sept. 24, with the tablet set to launch on Oct. 22. It remains to be seen, however, whether the new model manages to attract consumers or will just be another failure like the original Surface Pro. The new iteration may sport improved specs, better display and processor and a new version of Windows RT, but it will face tough competition on an increasingly crowded tablet market.