Surface Mini Release Date: Diversifies the Surface Product Line from the Surface Pro 3 Into Devices Smaller than 10.6-Inches
The hype for Microsoft’s Surface Mini goes on, but the small tablet is still nowhere to be found.
For the company to remain competitive, it diversifies the Surface product line from the Surface Pro 3 into devices smaller than 10.6-inches.
Back in May, Microsoft invited some guests to a small gathering. This made many people to think that the Surface Mini was about to debut. The event itself was used to unfold the Surface Pro 3.
Previous reports revealed that Microsoft set the Surface Mini release in hiatus. According to Neowin, Microsoft “pulled the plug at the last minute out of fears that it would not sell, despite having produced between 15,000 and 20,000 units.”
In a report by DigiTimes on June 30, Microsoft cancelled the plan to mass produce the device because of “fierce competition in the small-size segment, as well as negative responses from its brand vendor clients.”
Despite of such reports, however, a report by DigiTimes revealed that the small device could be here as soon as October 2014. DigiTimes recalls that the new device features a 10.6-inch Surface, which is “slimmer, lighter, and expected to have better sales performance than the former (the Surface Pro 3).”
The device will also see a spring 2014 debut with ARM processors, according to other reports. ARM processors provide better price points as well as longer battery lifespan, which is less likely when using the more expensive Intel chips.
Meanwhile, a report from ZDNET says that Microsoft will not be releasing a Surface Mini this year, but will make it available in early 2015.
Current rumors also claim that the Surface Mini will run Windows RT just like the Surface 2 and will feature a 7.5-inch display, with a 4:3 aspect ratio, and a resolution of 1400x1050. The Surface Mini is also set to come in Wi-Fi and 4G LTE + Wi-Fi models, just like the Surface 2 will.
With these details, Surface Mini will probably resurface as a competitor of Apple’s iPad mini.
