14 DAY TRIAL // Everyone expects Microsoft to introduce a brand new Surface Mini at the upcoming event in New York on May 20, but it appears that the company might be preparing something totally unexpected.
According to a new report, the software giant may very well introduce a 12-inch Surface tablet that would thus expand the company Surface lineup not only with a smaller unit, but also with a bigger one specifically supposed to tackle the notebook market.
Not much is known at this point, but according to CNET citing an IHS Technology analyst, the 12-inch Surface could initially be available in the United States exclusively and be offered in limited numbers. Microsoft might very well try to test the waters and see if such a device has what it takes to sell and only then make more units available to customers.
“There are strong indications that there is a 12-inch product coming down the pipeline,” Rhoda Alexander, head of IHS Technology's monitor and tablet research, was quoted as saying by the source.
At the same time, she added that the Surface Mini is very likely to come with a 7.5-inch screen and not with an 8-inch one, as it was previously rumored.
Again, Microsoft is keeping all these details completely secret, but the Surface Mini is clearly a device supposed to compete against the iPad mini and the Nexus 7. While many could say that Microsoft is late to the party with the small tablet, the company is actually trying to position the device much better than its rivals, with some people close to the matter pointing out that the Surface Mini might actually be sold as a note-taking device.
As a result, the Surface Mini would very likely ship with a digital pen to make note taking fast and simple, but the device would also run Windows RT 8.1 Update in order to allow buyers to install apps and use it just like a traditional Surface RT.
As far as pricing is concerned, unconfirmed reports pointed to a very low price in order to make the Surface Mini very affordable and thus give it a strong advantage in the fight against the two aforementioned units.
Some people have even pointed to a possible $250 (180 euro) price tag, but nobody knows for sure whether Microsoft wants to sell it so cheap right now given the fact that it's still losing money with every Surface that leaves the factory.