surface rt

Microsoft turns to resellers to bump up Surface sales

Microsoft is expanding distribution of its Surface tablet/PC devices via authorized distributors and resellers, company officials said Monday.

Starting in the U.S., Microsoft is authorizing CDW, CompuCom, En Pointe, Insight, PC Connection, PCM, Softchoice, Softmart, Software House International, and Zones to sell Surface Pro and RT devices. "Over the next few months," Microsoft officials said, they will authorize commercial distributors and resellers in more countries.

Microsoft also plans to expand its education offer for the Surface RT -- offering devices for $199 via qualifying schools and universities purchasing direct from Microsoft -- into the commercial channel … Read more

Fate of Microsoft's tablet OS in question -- again

Reports that Windows RT is headed for the dustbin of failed Microsoft operating systems has become a month -- if not weekly -- ritual for Asia-based sources.

This time Digitimes has gone so far to compare RT to the fate of Hewlett-Packard's failed WebOS.

"Microsoft's Windows RT operating system may fall to the same fate as Hewlett-Packard's (HP) WebOS as most brand vendors have already stopped developing related products," Digitimes wrote on Wednesday, citing sources at hardware suppliers.

The last high-profile put-down of RT came from Acer's chairman earlier this month when he wondered … Read more

Microsoft, Qualcomm to team up on next round of Surface RTs -- report

Microsoft and Qualcomm will work together on the next generation of Surface RT devices, a new report claims.

Microsoft will use Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor in some versions of its Surface RT tablets, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing people who claim to have knowledge of the companies' plans. Bloomberg's sources said that the Snapdragon processor will allow for improved performance and could mean 4G LTE support will be available in the Surface RT.

The Surface RT is currently running on Nvidia's Tegra processors. According to Bloomberg's sources, at least one version of the next-generation Surface RT will still … Read more

Chromebooks land at more retail stores

CNET Update is charging up:

In this episode of Update:

- Before you buy that cheap Chromebook at Walmart, learn if you can live with it.

- Don't be surprised if your kid starts using a Surface RT tablet at school.

- Chip in for the new group Amazon Birthday Gift on Facebook.

- Avoid a Z10 security breach with the latest BlackBerry 10.1 update.

- Watch how AT&T's solar charging stations work in New York City.

CNET Update delivers the tech news you need in under three minutes. Watch Bridget Carey every afternoon for … Read more

Microsoft targets schools with Surface RT discount

Microsoft is making a reduced-price version of its ARM-based Surface RT tablet/notebook available directly to schools and universities for two months this summer.

The "Microsoft Surface for education limited-time offer" will be available between June 24 and August 31, a spokesperson said Tuesday. Under the program, Surface RTs without keyboards will go for $199 (retail price is $499). With a touch keyboard, the discounted price is $249 (retail price is $599), and with a type keyboard the discounted price is $289 (retail price is $629).

The offer is available directly from Microsoft to K-12 and higher-education institutions. … Read more

Surface RT buyers in the U.S. now get a free cover

Microsoft is trying to drum up sales of its Surface RT tablet by kicking in a free cover.

For a limited time starting May 31, Microsoft will throw in a free Touch Cover, Touch Cover Limited Edition, or Type Cover to folks in the U.S. and Canada who buy a Surface RT tablet. Adding a Touch Cover to the purchase normally brings the overall price up by $100, while the cover itself costs $119 separately. The Touch Cover Limited Edition and Type Cover each costs $129 on their own.

The Touch Cover is available in cyan, red, magenta, white, … Read more

In risky new tack, Microsoft stacks Surface against iPad

Microsoft's "iPad vs. Windows" campaign now includes iPad vs. Surface RT. Is Microsoft picking the right fight?

On the back of new ads that zero on the iPad's (purported) weaknesses, Microsoft has thrown up a comparison page that stacks the iPad against four Windows 8 tablets.

Microsoft isn't using the Surface RT in the anti-iPad ads. Rather, the Asus VivoTab is its weapon of choice.

But Surface RT is front and center on the comparison page. One small problem: the (highly-selective) Microsoft feature chart doesn't necessarily portray Surface RT as the clear winner (see … Read more

Asia 'sources' chat up smaller Microsoft Surface tablet

We know a smaller Surface product is likely in the works. But exactly how small isn't clear.

Digitimes has chimed in again claiming, this time, Microsoft will launch an 8-inch Surface tablet in June, citing sources at component suppliers.

"Microsoft will launch an 8-inch Surface tablet in June and a 10.x-inch model as early as the third quarter of 2013," Digitimes said.

The display for the 8-inch model will be supplied by Samsung, according to the report.

This differs from what DisplaySearch told CNET earlier this month: a future Microsoft tablet is expected to sport a … Read more

Windows 8 or RT tablet? Retail may be a guide

Wondering whether to buy a Windows RT tablet? The status of RT at retail may be a good guide.

As of Wednesday evening, the Microsoft store listed no Windows RT tablets aside from Microsoft's own Surface RT. Tablets like the Asus VivoTab RT are no longer listed (though the Intel-based VivoTab is on the site). Even Dell's XPS 10 -- reduced this week to $299.99 -- is absent.

On the other hand, the store lists more than a dozen Windows 8 tablets based on either Intel Core processors or Intel's Atom chip.

On Tuesday, Microsoft Chief … Read more

Surface RT tablet buyers in the UK can score a free cover

U.K. consumers who pick up Microsoft's Surface RT tablet can get a free Touch or Type cover as part of the deal.

Buyers simply need to purchase the tablet through Microsoft's online store or through qualifying retailers, such as John Lewis, Currys, or PC World. The Touch cover normally sells separately in the U.K. for 99.99 pounds ($152), while the Type cover goes for 109.99 pounds ($167). Both prices include value-added tax.

The Surface RT tablet runs for 399 pounds ($608) for the 32GB version and 479 pounds ($729) for 64GB.

The deal exclusively … Read more