A new report recently revealed that the upcoming lineup of Microsoft’s hardware will also include several new Surface models. The new Surface models are projected to launch in the next couple of years, but it appears that the low-cost tablet codenamed Surface Libra could see the daylight this summer, according to a new report.
Codenamed Libra, the cheaper Surface features a smaller screen and it’ll be positioned as a successor to the Surface 3.
It appears that Microsoft is still very interested in the consumer market. Microsoft also worked on Surface Mini, an 8-inch Windows tablet but it was cancelled back in 2014, and the software giant started working on 2-in-1s instead. If the reports are believed to be true, Microsoft may bring a new 10-inch affordable Surface tablet to the market in the summer of 2018.
The new 10-inch Surface tablets will be powered by Microsoft’s latest Windows 10 operating system, and it would feature rounded corners. It’ll also come with a USB-C port, and Microsoft is also working on familiar kickstand or keyboard as first seen on the Surface RT, and keyboard is codenamed Gibs.
The new 10-inch Surface tablet is said to be 20 percent lighter than the standard Surface Pro, and it will compete with Apple in the tablet segment. It’s worth mentioning that the next Surface tablets will be affordable and it may have a smaller battery given that the size of the model would be small. You can expect four hours battery difference compared to the Surface Pro.
Interestingly, Microsoft will be using Intel’s processor in the rumoured 10-inch Surface device, and while the company will stick with Intel processors, the device will support LTE connectivity.
The device is said to come in 64GB and 128GB models, and of course, the configurations will run Windows 10 Pro. Windows 10 S support will be offered as well.
The affordable Surface tablets will reportedly cost around $400, and Microsoft will sell the accessories like a keyboard and mouse separately.
Microsoft has finally realised that a 10-inch tablet is needed to compete with Apple iPads in the education market. Microsoft’s Windows 10 is already popular in the education sector, and it will soon get the much-needed push.