Microsoft may release a lower-cost Surface tablet this year

Posted on 16/05/2018 by Engadget RSS Feed

Microsoft will try making another inexpensive tablet. Redmond is rumored to launch a new, cheaper slate to compete with the iPad this year, according to Bloomberg's sources. Like Apple's tablet, the device will have rounded corners and a 10-inch scre...

Microsoft announces the Surface 2, the follow-up to the original Surface RT; coming October 22nd for $449

Posted on 23/09/2013 by Dana Wollman

Microsoft announces the Surface 2, the follow-up to the original Surface RT; coming October 22nd for $449

As promised, Microsoft has just revealed the Surface 2 here at its Surface-themed press event. Whereas the new Surface Pro 2 makes subtle changes to the original Pro, the Surface 2 is being billed as a revamped version of the Surface RT. As rumored, it moves up to a higher-res 1080p ClearType display -- the same one you'll find on the new Surface Pro 2. Performance-wise, the tablet now has a Tegra 4 chip (versus Tegra 3 in the last generation). Microsoft also says it's doubled the BUS speed for the WiFi and the memory, and the CPU speed has increased "dramatically" as well. Additionally, there's now a USB 3.0 port on board, a step up from the USB 2.0 connection used on the original. All told, says Microsoft, the new model should run three to four times as fast as its predecessor, and the battery life should be 25 percent longer too (up to 10 hours of video playback).

As for the design, this looks similar to last year's RT, at least from a few feet away, but it's thinner (8.9mm), lighter (676g) and built from two pieces of magnesium, not three. And, of course, it sports the same two-stage kickstand as the new Surface Pro 2, which should make it easier to balance in your lap. As you'd expect, it also works with the new Touch Cover 2, which Microsoft also announced today. Oh, and it's available in white now too; not just black. Moving on, Microsoft also added a third-inch camera sensor to the front of the product to help manage the light in webcam videos, especially those recorded in dim light. Speaking of video chats, Surface owners will enjoy a year of free international calling and Skype hotspot access. Not enough freebies for you? Microsoft's also throwing in 200GB of SkyDrive storage, free for two years.%Gallery-slideshow89979%

Filed under: Tablets, Microsoft

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Surface Power Cover rumored to ship after the Surface 2, provide the whole family with extra juice

Posted on 05/09/2013 by Darren Murph

Despite Microsoft's claims that the Surface family of tablets was a representation of "no compromise," many road warriors have found the battery life to be... well, compromised. In order to address said concerns, it's looking as if Microsoft will be launching a line of Power Covers. In a nutshell, these battery-inclusive Type Covers will snap onto Surface tablets as the existing ones do now, but a bump in thickness (from 0.21-inches to 0.38-inches) will add "significant" life. Interestingly, WinSupersite is reporting that the covers won't ship until after the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2, and the original Surface RT won't be compatible. Oh, and as for pricing? Mum's the word, as you might expect for an unconfirmed accessory.

Filed under: Tablets, Microsoft

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Via: ZDNet

Source: WinSupersite, Neowin

Microsoft’s $100 Surface Pro price cut to stick around, accessory discounts incoming (update: worldwide)

Posted on 29/08/2013 by Richard Lawler

In a move that should surprise few, that August price cut for Microsoft's Surface Pro -- which now starts at $799 for the 64GB version -- will remain in effect permanently. WPCentral has also revealed a $40 discount on Touch Covers, that now start at $79, and $50 off of the Surface RT tablet / touch cover bundle that starts at $399. The bundle pricing should kick in today although we're not seeing it live on the Microsoft Store yet. According to a statement from Microsoft (included after the break) this is based on customer's "exciting" response to the recent price drops. So, is this enough of a push for you to grab a slate (or two) right now, or would you rather wait for the sequel?

Update: While the original Surface Pro discount only applied in a few locales, we're hearing that the price in several European and Asian countries is also dropping. Word on price cuts for the accessories has varied from place to place, so depending on your location you may want to keep an eye out.

Filed under: Tablets, Microsoft

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Via: ZDNet, NeoWin, WPCentral

Bing for Schools pilot begins, lets users earn tablets for classrooms

Posted on 21/08/2013 by Jon Fingas

Now that back to school season is upon us, Microsoft has launched its promised Bing for Schools in a pilot phase. The test lets more than 800,000 K-12 students search Bing ad-free while receiving daily learning activities, improved privacy and automatic adult content filtering. Schools wanting to join the pilot can apply today. Those who have long since graduated can pitch in, too: Microsoft has launched a program that lets Bing Rewards members contribute their credits toward Surface RT tablets for their preferred schools. All you need to know is available through the source links; we're just wondering where Bing for Schools was when we were kids.

Filed under: Tablets, Internet, Microsoft

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Via: Bing Search Blog

Source: Bing for Schools, Partners in Learning

NVIDIA CEO: ‘We’re going to bring it with the second generation Surface’

Posted on 08/08/2013 by Richard Lawler

NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang has confirmed to CNET that a followup to the Surface RT is in development, and that it will apparently continue to use NVIDIA hardware inside. Recently news concerning the ARM-powered version of Microsoft's tablet hasn't been good, with a $900 million inventory charge and price cuts for both the RT and Pro. According to Jen-Hsun Huang, the addition of an Outlook mail app in Windows 8.1 can be the killer app the platform has been missing, and the company hopes it will be a big success. Rumors for the next gen of Surface have hinted at Microsoft offering Qualcomm chips in some models as well a smaller 7-inch version. NVIDIA may have some Tegra 4-specific features to contribute on the latter, we'll see if its can take a bigger bite out of the tablet market on their second attempt.

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Source: CNET

NVIDIA CEO: ‘We’re going to bring it with the second generation Surface’

Posted on 08/08/2013 by Richard Lawler

Filed under: Tablets, Microsoft

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Source: CNET

Microsoft drops Surface RT to $349 following global price cuts

Posted on 15/07/2013 by Zach Honig

Microsoft's Surface RT is hardly the world's most popular tablet, but the software giant clearly wants to create some momentum for its aging Windows 8 slate. MS just dropped the device's price to $349, representing a $150 decrease for the 32GB model. Staples was the first reported retailer with slashed pricing -- the tablet went on sale there yesterday -- and Microsoft's UK and Australian online stores have followed up with pricing of £279 and AU$389, respectively. The new MSRP appears to be live on at least three continents, and you can take advantage at our source links just below.

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Via: The Verge

Source: US Store, UK Store, AU Store

Surface RT prices slashed in UK and Australia, 32GB model down to £279 or $389

Posted on 15/07/2013 by Jamie Rigg

Following the significant price cut Microsoft's Surface RT received in the US recently, its cost has begun dropping in other regions, too. In the UK, Redmond's official online store is selling the 32GB model for £279 (down from £399) and the tablet with 64GB of storage for £359 (reduced from £479) -- adding £80 to those prices will get you the Touch Cover bundle. UK retailers John Lewis and PC World are offering the same discounts (although the latter is £0.99 more expensive across the board), and Microsoft's Australian store is knocking up to 180 Aussie dollars off the tablets and cover bundles. We imagine all countries the RT ships to will follow suit if they haven't already, so check your local MS store for confirmation. Meanwhile, it's hard to escape the feeling that RT as a whole has been overtaken by events.

[Thanks, Erik]

Filed under: Tablets, Microsoft

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Via: TechRadar

Source: MS store (UK), MS store (Australia), PC World, John Lewis