Microsoft Surface Windows RT tablet might launch at $199, Acer CEO annoyed again

posted by Daniel P.

Aug 15, 2012, 2:58 AM

Microsoft Surface Windows RT tablet might launch at $199, Acer CEO annoyed again

According to an anonymous tipster, briefed with Microsoft's plans for its Surface tablets launch at the TechReady 15 conference, Redmond is evaluating an option to launch the Windows RT slate at the very competitive $199 price point, eating the difference in production costs, if any.

This, of course, is the best way to spread the newborn Win RT platform far and wide, since both Google - with the Nexus 7 - and Apple - with the expected iPad mini - will be doing the affordable tablet thing, and Microsoft has to be really competitive to have a shot at a tablet market where the iPad commanded 2/3 of the sales last quarter.

This Surface-for-$199 rumor might actually have legs, since Acer's CEO JT Wang, who was very vocal to protest publicly against Microsoft's decision to enter the tablet business with hardware of its own, commented that $199 price would hurt all other Win RT vendors significantly:

Wang noted that Microsoft is currently looking for solutions such as creating a price gap to minimize the negative impact on other vendors' product lineups, and he believes if Microsoft launches Surface at a price of US$199, it would have a rather significant impact, but if it is priced at around US$499-599, the effects will be a lot smaller.

That much we can tell too, but the sheer fact that Acer's CEO is using the $199 price point in a conversation about the Windows RT Surface tablet from Microsoft it pretty revealing. We don't know what decision Redmond will ultimately take about its Win RT tablet price at launch, but are salivating at the prospect to get a 10.6" slate with magnesium chassis for $200 come October 26 anyway. Perhaps that possibility was the real reason Toshiba just shelved its RT tablet plans, rather than the cited component supply shortages.

source: Engadget & Digitimes

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30 Comments

27. Altair

Posts: 367; Member since: Feb 02, 2012

It is so funny, that crappy device provider Acer is so worried about Surface. They keeps telling, how MS can't make hardware as good as "old and big boys". I have seen 3 Acer devices on my friends. All of them have been performing bad or in one case VERY badly. When I walk in a store and want to buy a Windows tablet, it will be either Nokia or Microsoft made device. Currently it seems that Nokia isin't making one for now, so MS it will be. Acer, learn to compete with quality and price or gtfo.

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 7:28 PM 1

26. iCandy

Posts: 46; Member since: Dec 07, 2011

"eating the difference in production costs". I believe that is what is called "dumping" and is illegal. The pro-competition regulations require manufacturers to sell products at a reasonable profit.

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 2:00 PM 1

25. KingKurogiii

Posts: 5713; Member since: Oct 23, 2011

i'll definitely buy one if it's just going to be $200.

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 11:26 AM 1

16. renegadeXC

Posts: 4; Member since: Aug 02, 2012

Seriously? MSFT had better price it higher as Windows needs to keep it's premium status a bit. Sure RT can't run legacy Windows apps, but $199 is way too low. $399 10 inch iPad killer with at least 32GB internal storage would kill the iPad and Android tablets. Surface Pro should then be around $899 (with as 128GB SSD) which would pretty much destroy the higher capacity iPad market as well as the MacBook Air.

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 5:33 AM 2

17. p0rkguy

Posts: 685; Member since: Nov 23, 2010

Surface = Windows RT = Only "Modern" UI. $200. Surface Pro = Windows 8 Pro = "Modern" UI + Full Desktop. ~$500-600. I can see it happening. Microsoft was never really premium, just never had competition. They may be taking a small hit at $200 but it was their high distribution that made them an unstoppable force.

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 5:44 AM 2

18. MeoCao unregistered

...and destroy Windows RT at the same time. MS is in different position than Google, Google gives the OS for free while MS sells the license. If they sell such premium device as Surface for peanuts no1 will ever make Windows RT tablets again.

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 6:35 AM 2

20. -box-

Posts: 3991; Member since: Jan 04, 2012

Google gives it away because it's open source. It would be like a Linux distributor wanting money for their kernel

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 8:17 AM 1

21. DWillyEfect

Posts: 52; Member since: Feb 15, 2012

Would it matter if the Surface does really well?

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 9:24 AM 1

23. MeoCao unregistered

Surface does well by losing money?

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 10:03 AM 1

22. LikeASir

Posts: 3; Member since: Aug 15, 2012

Google gave it free because it's useless compared to OSX and Windows OS

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 9:52 AM 1

24. MeoCao unregistered

It looks like you lack the knowledge about Android, a useless OS with 70% world smartphone marketshare?

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 10:07 AM 1

14. p0rkguy

Posts: 685; Member since: Nov 23, 2010

People need to understand Windows 8 RT isn't the same as Windows 8 Base/Pro/Enterprise. It doesn't come with the classic desktop UI from Windows. Not saying that it's a bad thing but if you've used any of the RTM versions of 8 and happy with just the start menu UI then this is for you. I'll definitely get one for $200 and see where development takes it. Probably best bet on Samsung for their internals.

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 5:06 AM 3

11. steelicon

Posts: 318; Member since: Apr 02, 2011

Wow. I'd buy that and install Android and/or Linux on it for multiboot device. Great hardware, 10 multitouch points! And only $200 USD, too! Great idea, Microsoft!

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 4:19 AM 3

12. pikapowerize

Posts: 1869; Member since: May 03, 2012

i think you cant dual boot it! its an RT... the pro might be booted... Microsoft is really on the right path if this is true.. but the only problem is, if this is true, how will other manufacturers like samsung, asus, dell, lenovo go down to these price? we all know that microsoft is get fees from there OS.. how mich will microsoft get to manufacturers if they will price their tablet at $200? how much will manufacturers earn if they will still pay to microsoft some licensing fee? and PA post that MS is getting like $95 licensing fee to the manufacturers...

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 4:26 AM 3

15. p0rkguy

Posts: 685; Member since: Nov 23, 2010

I believe Windows 8 RT's licensing fee will be much less (guessing ~$30) than Windows 8. RT won't have the desktop you're using now.

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 5:07 AM 2

9. rudlie

Posts: 205; Member since: Mar 13, 2012

I still can't believe it

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 4:09 AM 6

7. lubba

Posts: 1313; Member since: Jan 17, 2011

Chill mr. Wang, chill. Why don't go back to your little Acer company and discuss with you board about how to make a stellar winRT tab for $150 rather than complain.

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 3:47 AM 5

8. pikapowerize

Posts: 1869; Member since: May 03, 2012

hahaha.. they will surely loose!! they need to do something more! dual boot with android would be a good choice!

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 3:56 AM 3

6. microsoftexclusive.com

Posts: 17; Member since: Aug 12, 2012

it can even be true. there is a rumour that it will be priced at 199http://www.microsoftexclusive.com/2012/08/microsoft-surface-for-windows-rt-tablet.html

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 3:44 AM 2

5. pikapowerize

Posts: 1869; Member since: May 03, 2012

now that Texas Instrument has no official partner (because toshiba drop their RT tablets and they are the one and only partner of TI even microsoft allow this chip manufacturers to partner only two manufacturers) who will be TI's partners going to be? are they reallyl serious of dropping their mobile chip for some analog chip?! i think TI should partner with nokia!!! so that nokia will make a tablet!!! i wonder why microsoft didnt allow samsung's own Exynos chips.. those chips are beast!!! maybe it would be unfair to other manufacturers??

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 3:36 AM 2

4. pikapowerize

Posts: 1869; Member since: May 03, 2012

i really want nokia to make a tablet... i wonder if microsoft will fill the gap on 7" tablet that is ruled by andriod (nexus and kindle) but if they are win8 dont make a lot of sense to me... WP8 has a good interface on that size of screen!! so i think WP8 on a 7" tablet is a good choice! and i want nokia to make one.. with the design of the lumia 900/800/ N9 but i think if this is true, the 7" is worthless.. .but this is really more convinient than 10" tablet! for me 8.9"-9.7" is the standardfor a tablet... above that.. its huge! but looking forward to this!!!

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 3:16 AM 3

3. pikapowerize

Posts: 1869; Member since: May 03, 2012

acer just STFU would you!! i dont care if you wont make a tablet with with win8 RT

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 3:13 AM 4

2. pikapowerize

Posts: 1869; Member since: May 03, 2012

this is really awesome... this is the real killer! a 10 inch talbet on a $200 pricetag?! that is awesome!!! and i think kindle fire and maybe nexus 7 is doomed and even the rumored so called iPad mini!!!

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 3:12 AM 9

1. Nookie4u

Posts: 133; Member since: Aug 13, 2012

200$, now is that with contract on data plans!!??? If not, I'll have one pleeeezzz. & Acer should take a chill pill lol.

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 3:03 AM 5

10. pokharkarsaga

Posts: 561; Member since: Feb 23, 2012

I think so they are going to launch 7 inch Windows RT tablet at $200 price to compete with iPad mini and Nexus 7.

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 4:13 AM 1

13. MeoCao unregistered

haha, dream on guys, with $200 we can buy the cover from MS.

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 4:45 AM 5

28. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

You understand M$ very well :) I saw a person using iPad with a bookcase that integrate a bluetooth keyboard not an elegant way to compute might as well use an ultra portable notebook. Surface = Ultraportable, if its successful M$ will do away with OEM, do away with Valve Steam, do away with Third Parity Hardware Support like Logitech, Creative Lab..do away..do away.. We will address Steven Ballmer, Supreme CEO.

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 9:23 PM 0

19. -box-

Posts: 3991; Member since: Jan 04, 2012

If that were true, and if it were widely available (that is, not only available through a physical Microsoft Store location) I'd be very likely to get one, even though I planned on ignoring RT tabs completely and only get a Pro

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 8:10 AM 2

29. pikapowerize

Posts: 1869; Member since: May 03, 2012

i think its not on contract, since the surface is only running through wifi... so i think microsoft should release wifi+3g/4G so that carriers will get one on there line!

posted on Aug 15, 2012, 10:21 PM 0

30. IamYourFather6657

Posts: 321; Member since: Jul 01, 2012

Acer is such a cry baby

posted on Aug 16, 2012, 1:02 AM 0

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