More details emerge on the 8-inch device prepared by Microsoft

Apr 11, 2014 06:50 GMT  ·  By

Rumors regarding a potential Surface Mini tablet prepared by Microsoft have been around for a while, but a new report now claims that the device is almost ready to hit the market and could do so sometime this year.

While Microsoft has remained completely tight-lipped on such a project, Neowin writes that Redmond is planning to “position the tablet as a note-taking device,” in an attempt to help users make a clear different between all Surface models currently available on the market.

Since it’ll be specifically designed for taking notes on the go, the Surface Mini will obviously support pen input, so touch won’t be the only input method available to buyers.

As far the app marketplace is concerned, it appears that Microsoft is readying some new tools supposed to enhance the note-taking tasks, while OneNote is also expected to receive some tweaks in order to be used easier on a small screen.

Performance-wise, the new Surface Mini is very likely to run Windows RT 8.1 Update, the operating system based on the core Windows 8.1 Update but tweaked to work on ARM devices. Of course, it won’t be able to run legacy Windows applications, just like all the other Windows RT tablets, and it might come with even more app limitations, given the size of the screen.

Some of the apps published in the Windows Store might not be available on this version of the tablet unless they receive further modifications in order to be used in both landscape and portrait modes.

Hardware specifications are yet to be disclosed, but in addition to the 8-inch screen, Microsoft is also believed to be pondering a Qualcomm processor specifically optimized for longer battery life. The company wants the Surface Mini to greatly improve this particular feature of the tablet, so additional modifications supposed to enhance autonomy could also be introduced.

Pricing remains an enigma for each and every one of us, but previous rumors indicated that Microsoft was actually planning to sell the device for no more than $250 (€181) in order to become one of the best-selling Surface models ever released. At the same time, it’s also trying to compete with the iPad mini and Nexus 7, so setting a low price is a priority for the company.

The Surface Mini could go on sale sometime this year, but Microsoft is very likely to break the news on such a device anytime soon, especially because it’s very close to completing the One Transformation plan started by former CEO Steve Ballmer last year.