It’d appears that Microsoft wants to compete with the new low-cost iPad, as the company is now reportedly working on a cheaper Surface device.
According to a new report from Bloomberg, the software giant is building a new Surface tablet that will feature a smaller screen and will be a lot cheaper than the Surface Pro line.
iPad-like design and USB-C
The report points out that the new device will sport a 10-inch screen with a design that uses rounded corners similar to the iPad (current Surface devices feature 12.3-inch screens with square corners). And it’s expected to be priced around $400.
Also, it’s said that the tablet will include a USB Type-C port for connectivity and charging, which is a first for the Surface family, and it’ll be about 20 percent lighter than the Surface Pro. However, the battery life won’t be as good as the high-end models, as Bloomberg reports that the battery on the low-cost will be around 9.5 hours.
Intel CPUs instead of Qualcomm’s
Instead of using ARM processors from Qualcomm, which will be a perfect fit, Microsoft will be using Intel for processors and graphics.
Apparently, there’ll be two models of the tablet featuring a 64GB and 128GB of internal storage, both models will include the choice for LTE connectivity and the icon kickstand, and it’ll run the full version of Windows 10 Pro.
In addition, it also appears that Microsoft is working on a new set of keyboard cover, mouse, and stylus for the new cheaper version of Surface. However, they’ll be sold separately.
Currently, the cheapest version of the latest Surface Pro starts at $799, which is a lot more expensive that the entry-level iPad that cost only $329 (with completely different specs).
This won’t be Microsoft first attempt to enter the market with a cheap tablet. Previously, we’ve seen devices like the Surface RT, Surface 2, and even a Surface 3 device, but these devices never caught much popularity.
What do you think about the new smaller and cheaper Surface? Tell us in the comments.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.