Smaller Surface tablets rumoured to be on the way
Australians still can't buy Surface Pro locally, but Microsoft is tipped to reveal a second generation of tablets this June.
Australians still can't buy Surface Pro locally, but Microsoft is tipped to reveal a second generation of tablets this June.
Microsoft may have a second generation of smaller and more affordable Surface tablets on the way, with a report in DigiTimes tipping the announcement to be made during the Build Conference this June.
The report seems to broadly match information, gathered by CNET US, from Richard Shim, an analyst at NPD DisplaySearch.
Shim said that the new tablet size would be 7.5-inches and that Microsoft would be looking to reduce the price on these models.
"From the supply chain side, we're seeing the panel specifications, the touch module, the mass production schedule being made," he told CNET US.
The new Surface is suggested to sport a 1400x1050 resolution screen, with a pixel density of 233 pixels per inch.
"Mass production is Q1 [first quarter] 2014. Apparently, pretty significant volume &mdash multiple millions," Shim said. However, he noted that a smaller production run could start earlier, with volume mass production kicking in next year.
If the June announcement turns out to be true, this means that Microsoft will be talking about second generation Surface just weeks after the Surface Pro goes on sale in Australia, assuming the company makes its "by the end of May" deadline for retail.