Microsoft is cutting the price on its Surface 2 just a month after cuts to the prices of its Surface Pro 2 devices. The Surface 2 runs the much-maligned Windows 8 RT operating system. Microsoft will be taking $100 off the regular prices of the tablets.
That means the 32GB Surface 2 will now cost $349. The 64GB version will run $449, and the 64GB version with 4G LTE connectivity will cost $579. The discounts will be available at Microsoft’s brick-and-mortar and online retail locations an on other eCommerce sellers like Amazon.
Microsoft has indicated that this price reduction is only good until Sept. 27 and that customers are limited to a total of 5 discounted Surface tablets per purchase.
ArsTechnica has speculated the price cut could be because Microsoft is planning to discontinue the model. If so, Microsoft may be trying to clear out some overstock Surface 2 devices. But it could also mean that Microsoft is preparing to unveil a successor to the Surface 2.
In early July Microsoft also cut prices on its Surface Pro 2 devices in anticipation of the Surface Pro 3 which began shipping this month. Microsoft reduced the price of its 64 GB machine from $899 to $799 and the price of its 512 GB machine from $1,799 to $1,599. The Surface 2 that’s being discounted was introduced last October. The only change to this device has been the addition of a 4G LTE version.
But could that really mean Microsoft is getting ready to ditch the Surface 2 altogether and, at the same time, bid adieu to Windows RT once and for all?
The report from ArsTechnica suggests that Microsoft likely won’t do that right away. The same processors that run Windows RT are also used in Windows Phone. These processors do limit the number of apps that these devices can run, though.
Or could it be because Microsoft is planning to introduce a new product?
Recently details were leaked about the HP Stream 14, a $99 laptop which might be an inexpensive answer to Chromebook while running a full version of Windows 8.1. So similar devices heavily reliant on the cloud but using the Windows operating system more familiar to small businesses, could be waiting in the wings.
Or could mean that nobody is buying devices with Windows H8 (TM), unless they are forced to as with laptop and desktop replacements.
Now I have to go and get back to installing a pirate copy of Windows 7 to replace the licensed copy of Windows H8 that came with my brand new laptop…
I have heard some ABM folks say that they are doing this, but I have never actually met someone who has and I suspect those who say this are not actually doing it. You do know that Windows 8 has many under-the-hood improvements over Windows 7. It is more stable and faster on the same hardware. You can also set Windows 8 to run almost exactly like Windows 7 if you wish, and with the addition of Start8 you can make it look identical. I cannot see any good reason to run Windows 7 instead of Windows 8, especially if you already have Windows 8.
I have always been wary of gadgets that have a discount. That’s because I bought one before and it seemed that the gadget has a problem. My concern with the Surface 2 right now is why do they have to give that discount?
As Microsoft has done in the past with its Surface models, it is discounting existing products in anticipation of newer models. At the end of September Microsoft will likely be releasing the Surface 3. Lowering the cost of the Surface 2 in light of this makes perfect sense. No one should think that the Surface 2 in any way is lacking quality design or customer support. The Surface 2 that was purchased last year is just as quality and supported as the Surface 2 that is available this year. I have a Surface Pro 3 already and like it very much so I will not be purchasing either a Surface 2 or a Surface 3 (probably).
Went to the UK Microsoft site and tried to buy the Surface 2, out of stock! Is this the Microsoft idea for ‘Free beer tomorrow’?