Microsoft has seen considerable success with its Windows-powered Surface tablets but it would be a stretch to say that the models it has released so far have been affordably priced. That might change in the future if a new report is to be believed as Microsoft is reportedly developing a budget lineup of Surface tablets to compete with low-cost iPad options from Apple.
Citing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reports that Microsoft is developing a lineup of new Surface tablets that will be affordably priced to take on the affordable iPads. They won’t just be cheaper and smaller versions of the Surface Pro tablets.
Microsoft is reportedly starting from scratch and designing these tablets around a 10 inch display and rounded corners which would be in line with more traditional tablet design instead of the more rectangular design of the existing Surface tablets. These new models will be 20 percent lighter than the Surface Pro and reportedly have USB Type-C ports for charging and Windows 10 Pro while being priced at $400.
They will be powered by Intel processors and graphics with LTE options being offered. The Surface kickstand will be retained as well but the new tablets will reportedly not ship with a keyboard or stylus. The company is said to be working on cheaper versions of the mouse, style, and keyboard cover for this new lineup.
It remains to be seen, though, when Microsoft will be launching this new Surface tablet lineup.
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