News - Microsoft Surface tablet prices emerge

[HEXUS]

But the company “will quit making tablets soon”.

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[billybear]

I think Microsoft will mirror the Nexus model, in terms of setting the bar, but will not be available outside of the US in the same vein as the Zune. I think it will be massively overpriced, not to undercut competitors. That way Microsoft can easily brush off poor sales.

I still think Microsoft will patch over the networking features in a future service pack as Apple is keen to capture the enterprise market with iOS.

[cheesemp]

So based on $=£ exchange rate we usually see for tech that makes the basic RT £600 which seem very high to me (An ASUS transformer with proper keyboard is less - £400 (Dixons)).

[neonplanet40]

If the RT isn't less than £500 it will undoubtedly flop. That would keep it in-line with the Asus transformer prime etc.

[Kushan]

If those are the minimum prices, then this whole thing will be a failure. Well done on not learning a single damn thing from your previous failures in the hardware market, Microsoft.

[brasco]

32GB ipad 3 is $599 64GB $649, I'd say that's not going to be a failure in terms of competitive pricing. Not particularly bothered with the RT though. The Pro is in line with ultrabook prices $700-1300 so will be interesting to see if ASUS etc can compete.

[Hakka]

So based on $=£ exchange rate we usually see for tech that makes the basic RT £600 which seem very high to me (An ASUS transformer with proper keyboard is less - £400 (Dixons)).

I'm not sure that's entirely true. According to XE, GoCurrency and Google's converter the RT is £385. I appreciate that as you say, it tends to be exaggerated but I doubt it'll be THAT much.

[neonplanet40]

If they can do it for 400 or less and the big brother for 550-600 they could be onto a winner.

[krazy_olie]

I like the look of these things but they need to be cheaper

[bert7]

of coures they will be priced right if on the high side and it will come with everything as time rolls by, Microsoft have put the very latest tech into it from the frame to the windows 8 system, its been cooked and cooked again to make sure it will be good, i think the pro will take off for business and the RT will follow even though they will lunch the other way round. as for the keyboards look at the Microsoft lunch and you will see the keyboard is totaly new tech, its pressure sensitive.

[abaxas]

Does anyone actually care?

That is their current dilemma.

[cameronlite]

Does anyone actually care?

That is their current dilemma.

What are you on about, it's perfectly apparent that lots of people care.

[Singh400]

Pointless for me if it's £400+...

[tickleonthetum]

Way out of our price range, so it looks like it'll be a cheapo Archos/NATPC/A1CS clone instead!

For that sort of money you could get a better spec laptop!

[Lucio]

It'll be more interesting to see what impact the Surface has on the corporate market, sure for traditional producivity you can't beat a desktop or laptop with keyboard + mouse, but for the mobile market, whether it's Sales Reps, Logistics staff or similar, there's a lot of room for growth.

[Time Bandit]

Someone sent me this link http://youtu.be/N1zxDa3t0fg of the Surface at a demo. Sure its probably a pre-production model but I couldn't help laughing as he says "I can browse smoothly" while the shiny new thing sits there dormant.
Poor guy.