Microsoft Surface RT to cost $199?
Microsoft Surface, the self-branded Windows 8 tablet with funky keyboard cover, is set to arrive on Oct. 26 right alongside the new operating system itself. But we still have no idea what the final retail price will be, with Microsoft deciding not to reveal such key information when it unveiled Windows Surface at a glitzy, Apple-inspired event in June.
Last month we saw speculation that Microsoft Surface RT would retail for around US$1,000, as reported by a Swedish retailer that appeared to have got the scoop. Not so, as this price turned out to have little basis in reality, instead being nothing more than an (ill-)educated guess. So, Surface won’t be $1,000… is anyone else willing to hazard another guess?
Actually, they are. Except this isn’t being reported as a guess but more as a piece of factual information as sent in to Engadget by an anonymous inside source. That source claims to have been privy to a session at Microsoft’s recent TechReady15 conference at which all the plans for the product’s launch were revealed. And the RRP of Microsoft Surface RT? $199. Only $199. A mere $199. A stinkingly low $199.
Many people are calling BS on this new price, and I can see why. $199 would put Surface RT on a par with the Nexus 7, the Kindle Fire, and (likely) the smaller-screened mini-iPad Apple are guaranteed to announce within the next few months. Such a pricing strategy would be very un-Microsoft-like. But perhaps that’s the point. After all, Microsoft needs to make a big statement about its intention for battling the aforementioned products in the tablet market.
I would love this price to turn out to be correct, but I just cannot see it happening. I suspect a price on a par with the current iPad is more likely, so $499 for Surface RT and a higher price for the full-fledged Surface Pro. I will be keeping all my fingers and toes crossed that I’m wrong though, as at $199 I’d be buying one of these.
August 15th, 2012
And Toshiba just announced they won’t be making Surface Windows RT. They are the 3rd bow out after HP and Acer.
August 17th, 2012
Not sure Acer was ever in on this.
“reports that Microsoft let NVIDIA, Texas Instruments and Qualcomm, each a major Windows RT ARM chipset vendor, choose two partners each to bring to the Windows RT dance. NVIDIA chose Lenovo and Asus. Texas Instruments chose Toshiba and Qualcomm asked Samsung and HP. HP has since dropped out so the speculation is that Dell may be Qualcomm’s second partner. The initial OEM tablets from this crew should be out October 26th.”
Anyway, I’m pretty sure this will end up as a market leader, ipads are just too restricting. lack of usb port, just for starters.
August 21st, 2012
Microsoft is trying to close the Windows ecosystem. This is very bad for the industry and for consumers
August 27th, 2012
Microsoft will build the Surface Tablets so they are saving on outsourcing costs.The $199 price tag is very attractive.