Apple today announced a 128GB version of the fourth generation iPad with Retina display. The 128GB iPad with Wi-Fi and iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular models provide twice the storage capacity of the 64GB models.

Apple hopes that the 128GB storage of the iPad will attract more business users, who regularly utilizing large amounts of data such as 3D CAD files, X-rays, film edits, music tracks, project blueprints, training videos and service manuals.

The fourth generation iPad features a 9.7-inch Retina display, Apple-designed A6X chip, FaceTime HD camera, iOS 6.1 and fast wireless performance. The recently released iOS 6.1 includes support for additional LTE networks around the world, and iTunes Match subscribers can download individual songs to their iOS devices from iCloud.

iPad runs over 800,000 apps available on the App Store, including more than 300,000 apps designed specifically for iPad, from a range of categories including books, games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. iPad also supports the more than 5,000 newspapers and magazines offered in Newsstand, and the more than 1.5 million books available on the iBookstore.

The new 128GB versions of the fourth generation iPad will be available starting Tuesday, February 5, in black or white, for a suggested retail price of $799 (US) for the iPad with Wi-Fi model and $929 (US) for the iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular model.

The 128GB iPad model appears to be a direct shot at Microsoft, which will be releasing the Surface Pro on Feb. 9. The Surface Pro starts at $899 for a 64 GB version and $999 for a 128 GB model.