Gadgets
Microsoft Tablet Priced At $199?
Windows RT Device Could Challenge Nexus-7, Kindle Fire
By Gary Krakow
We know that Microsoft's Surface tablets are coming.
And we know that one model will have Intel processors and run a full version of Windows 8.
The other will have ARM processors and run the paired-down Windows RT.
So, if today's rumors are correct, Microsoft may be ready to put their money where their corporate mouths are and price the Windows RT version at $199.
That would have to be just for the tablet itself. Not for the optional (and quite desirable) cover/keyboard accessory as pictured above.
That means Redmond's device will be in direct competition with other popular devices like Amazon's $199 Kindle Fire as well as the $199 Asus/Google Nexus-7. Both of those tablets run on versions of Google's Android operating system.
At $199, Microsoft would probably be losing money on each one sold.
They would also be forcing all of their partners to price their Windows RT tablets accordingly. Their long-time OEM friends might not take kindly to losing money on each new Windows RT tablet.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out.