Monday, 25 August 2014

Microsoft channels Crazy Eddie, slashes Surface 2 prices by US$100

Microsoft channels Crazy Eddie, slashes Surface 2 prices by US$100

Long before Amazon, New Yorkers purchased their deeply discounted electronics from personalities like Crazy Eddie, who would certainly have enjoyed shouting over television commercials about Microsoft's insane new pricing on last-generation tablets.


Microsoft (via PCWorld) put on its bargain bin hat Sunday as US-based online and retail stores roll out deep discounts on Surface 2 models for the next month, with prices starting as low as $349 (about UK£211, AU$376) for 32GB.


Beginning August 24 and ending September 27 (or "while supplies last"), Microsoft Store shoppers can grab up to five LT-powered Surface 2 tablets for $100 (about UK£60, AU$108) off last week's price, including a 64GB model with AT&T 4G LTE for only $579 (about UK£349, AU$623).


As a refresher, Surface 2 models are powered by Nvidia Tegra 4 processors incapable of running full Intel software versions, but are otherwise capable tablets running Windows RT 8.1 and featuring 2GB RAM, 10.6-inch 1080p displays and the requisite front and rear cameras.


Our prices are insane!


The timing of the sale is probably no accident, given that students have already started heading back to school over the last couple weeks; Microsoft offered a similar $100 discount on the more expensive Surface Pro in early August of last year.


Thus far, Redmond has yet to produce an RT-powered version of the third-generation Surface, instead preferring to focus its energy on the MacBook Air-busting power of its latest Surface Pro 3.


With rumors of a Windows 9 public preview just around the corner, the sale could also be Microsoft's effort to clear warehouse shelves of unsold inventory ahead of a new RT model on the way.


As Microsoft works to unify desktop, tablet and smartphone worlds, the latest deal smells like a fire sale as the company likely shuns RT for good, deflating Redmond's effort to derail the momentum of Apple's iPad Air.



  • Game on with our review of Microsoft's Xbox One!
















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