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Microsoft’s Windows RT Surface Tablet Speculated at $350 Pricing?

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It appears that Microsoft will be aggressively pricing its Surface tablets in order to gain market share in the competitive tablet space, which has been dominated by Apple’s iPad slate and is being crowded with a number of low-cost and feature-speced Android devices. The Microsoft hardware branded Surface tablets will be available in two models with the Windows RT model for ARM-based CPUs to debut first followed by a Windows 8 Pro model with Intel chip to be released later. According to recent speculations, the Windows RT tablet may be priced at $350 or under, placing it between Google’s 7-inch Nexus 7 tablet at $200 and Apple’s entry-level third-generation WiFi-only iPad at $500.

Windows-Surface-Tablet-with-White-coverAccording to WMPU, calculations for the $350 pricing comes by way of a contest held at Dummies.com where that website is promoting its Windows for Dummies series of books. As with contests, the firm holding the contest must disclose of the total value of the prize, and the books, along with the Windows RT Surface tablet, are priced together to be approximately $350.

Microsoft has to price at least the Windows RT edition of the Surface competitively to gain market share in the competitive space, though it’s unclear how Microsoft’s low price would affect other OEMs in the Windows 8 and Windows RT arena. It was previously reported that Acer was disappointed by Microsoft’s decision to enter the hardware space and the low Surface price may mean that other manufacturers may have to match Microsoft’s pricing, putting downward pricing pressure on other manufacturers.

The Windows 8 Pro edition of the Surface tablet is now speculated to cost $500, matching Apple’s iPad price. The Windows 8 Pro edition would be a full PC tablet that will be able to run legacy apps designed for Windows 7 or earlier.

Microsoft has thus far not announced pricing for either Surface models. The good news is that Microsoft may recoup some of the money it may ‘lose’ on aggressive hardware pricing in the form of accessories. The Surface has a smart keyboard cover, and Microsoft may be able to make money on that accessory.

9 Comments

9 Comments

  1. name

    10/08/2012 at 7:12 am

    actually if the info on dummies.com is to be taken at face value then the cost of the surface tablet will be less than $350, as the website states that the approx value of prize is $350 which includes two books. so you have to take away the price of the two books then you are left with the cost of the tablet. the price of each book is probably about $10 – $20 each so conservatively about $30 for both books. the approx price of the tablet would be $300 to $320. though i am being pedantic.

  2. David Howard

    10/08/2012 at 7:33 am

    Ummm…yes…you are being rather shallow and pedantic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QguWdSsI8S8)

  3. Wade

    10/08/2012 at 9:45 am

    Unfortunately, If you look at the site under where it says the ARV is 350. It states that it may be adjusted upon release of device.

  4. GeorgeRoomey

    10/08/2012 at 3:51 pm

    Brenda responded I’m dazzled that a stay at home mom able to make $5116 in a few weeks on the network. have you seen this (Click on menu Home)

  5. GeorgeRoomey

    10/08/2012 at 3:51 pm

  6. mwaters5 (@mwaters5)

    10/08/2012 at 4:44 pm

    I think Competition is great. Whether this winds up being a boom or bust for Microsoft it will force innovation into the marketplace and drive prices down. Everyone wins with that !!!!

  7. bredow

    10/08/2012 at 6:31 pm

    I’ve tried just about all tablets, including NEXUS7. They all make the same mistake in trying to be the “like” or “just as good as iPad.” Up to now, they are not. Apple has a “system,” they do not. I can call my wife and leave a note on my wife’s phone and iPad from my iPhone, sitting in my airplane seat at a distant airport, when she’s busy doing something else on the ranch. If she’s in, I can talk to her face to face on any device. Microsoft better think inside the system box!

    • CY

      10/08/2012 at 11:06 pm

      That why there is WinRT, Win8 and WP8. They will all share the same app market too.

  8. bredow

    10/14/2012 at 9:30 am

    waiting for rt-surf…let’s see what the final ed of win8 is. I am using wi8 prerel…on a computer…it’s interesting, but somehow not ready for prime-time. I like the idea of usb ports an love ms office.

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