The imminent release of Surface tablets in most major markets around the globe means that Microsoft has sorted out the production issues and is now saturating the store shelves with its tablets.
All eyes are now on the next iteration of Surface slates, and what exactly is in store for the platform.
An analyst over at NPD DisplaySearch believes that a future Surface tablet is could sport a 7.5-inch display with a peculiar little resolution of 1400 by 1050 pixels. This would give the tablet a pixel density of 233 pixels per inch, better than both the current generation Nexus 7 and iPad Mini.
To further cut costs, Microsoft is also looking to merge the touch module into the panel itself.
The full story is over at CNET, where another source confirms that Microsoft is looking to target the $399 price range for newer Surface models — although there is fair chance that the final price could drop further as the slates near production.
Interestingly, the NPD DisplaySearch analyst believes that this particular tablet is not going to be ready any time soon. The mass production schedule is said to be the first quarter of 2014.
If this holds true, well over a year remains before this Surface model sees daylight.
File this as a rumor for now, but with chatter that future Surface tablets are poised to be smaller than the 10.6-inch first-generation devices, there may yet be some truth to this.
At the very least, it seems that Microsoft is keeping all its options open in the 7 and 8 inch form factor.
All Comments
iPad mini has 7.9″ display and only $329. If Surface mini is 7.5″ and $399. Then who will buy it?
A 7.5in surface would be a fully functioning computer. That I would assume would have hdmi out so you can make it a desktop. The iPad is not a laptop replacement. Working actual work on it in word, PowerPoint, or other programs is very hard.