Microsoft is all set to launch its Surface successors – the Surface 2 – probably for both its Pro and RT lineup and we are expecting that the Windows 8 maker won’t limit itself to just the two tablets.
Microsoft entered the tablet arena with its first version of Surface tablets last year in a bid to walk shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Apple, Google and Samsung, but it didn’t go as per the plans and took a $900 million hit because of the failure of the Surface tablet. Did it deter Microsoft? A simple answer is no. With PC shipments declining and losing out to tablets, Surface will and is definitely close to Microsoft’s heart, and is probably the only way to ship more Windows 8 licenses. Here is what we expect from tomorrow’s event:
Surface RT 2
A disaster right from day one – as we see it at least – the Surface RT may have been the primary reason behind the failure of Surface lineup! But if Microsoft discontinues this lineup and gives up on Windows RT, it will definitely point to Microsoft’s failure to compete in the low-cost ARM powered tablet segment, a taint that the company would want to avoid at all costs.
This brings us right to a Surface RT 2. With numerous updates, bug fixes and feature enhancements, Windows RT has come a long way since its launch a year ago and Surface RT 2 may probably be one of the leaders in the low-cost tablet segment if Microsoft plays its card right. Chances are Microsoft may ditch the 10.6-inch variant and bring out a 8-inch Surface RT 2 directly pitching against tablets from other vendors.
Surface Pro 2
Surface Pro has been the Linchpin of Surface tablets and it may have been the more popular Surface tablet out of the two, but Microsoft has never separate revealed sales figures for RT and Pro. However, we are quite confident that Surface Pro has had an edge over its RT counterpart because of the powerful processor, memory, and the full-fledged Windows 8 operating system.
Microsoft will want to bank on Surface Pro success and bring out a more powerful variant with Full HD display, Intel Haswell processor, better storage (256GB and 512GB), may be narrower bezel, higher RAM, Windows 8.1, and a greater battery life. Our bets are on a 10.6-inch screen size as it has worked out for Microsoft so far when it comes to the Pro lineup.
Surface Mini
A rightful candidate that will definitely compete well against the Apple iPad Mini, Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.0 and others, the Surface Mini is something that we would definitely want to see tomorrow. Microsoft would want to give its Surface Mini a fine tuning for reading, web browsing, and multimedia as the 8-inch tablets are in most cases used for such activities only. Further, we presume that Windows RT would be a rightful candidate as overloading the Mini variant with full Windows 8.1 wouldn’t do the tablet any justification and it may lose out on battery life.
Accessories
Microsoft did bring something unique to the tablet with its Touch Cover and Type Cover last year and this year we are expecting that the new tablets will be accompanied by refined, lighter, more efficient and possible more colorful version of Touch and Type. Docking station is something that is well received by users all over the globe and Microsoft may include one of those tomorrow.
