X

Microsoft has smaller Surface tablets in the works, report says

A new line of Surface devices may make their debut at Microsoft's Build Conference in June, according to an Asia-based report.

Brooke Crothers Former CNET contributor
Brooke Crothers writes about mobile computer systems, including laptops, tablets, smartphones: how they define the computing experience and the hardware that makes them tick. He has served as an editor at large at CNET News and a contributing reporter to The New York Times' Bits and Technology sections. His interest in things small began when living in Tokyo in a very small apartment for a very long time.
Brooke Crothers
Microsoft Surface.
Microsoft Surface. Microsoft

Microsoft is readying smaller Surface devices, according to a report.

The "second-generation" Surface tablets may be announced in the coming months, possibly at the upcoming Build Conference in June, according to a report in DigiTimes.

This follows a report last month in the Wall Street Journal that claimed the company is preparing a 7-inch tablet.

Second-generation Surface devices will sport displays with sizes between 7 inches and 9 inches, according to the report. Component suppliers include Samsung Electronics, LG Display, Corning, and Intel.

Microsoft needs to bring out tablets with smaller screen sizes in order to compete with the like of Apple's iPad Mini and modestly proportioned Android tablets, IDC said Wednesday.

The current Surface Pro and Surface RT tablets are limited to 10.6-inch displays.

Microsoft was not available for comment.