Never a dull day in the Redmond Empire! It was a forgone conclusion in some circles that the smaller Surface tablet was a done deal, and would be unveiled alongside the second generation Surface slates.
Dubbed by many as the Surface Mini, this 7 or 8 inch slate was said to be in development at Microsoft, as the technology titan wanted to pitch a Surface family member against the iPad Mini and Nexus 7.
Now, people close to the matter are indicating that Microsoft has delayed the debut well into 2014. Well into 2014, in this case, being spring next year.
Regular Microsoft watcher Mary Jo Foley is reporting that the Surface Mini makes use many of the new exclusive Windows 8.1 features, and since the company is planning the Spring 2014 GDR update, it has in turn affected the launch window of the smaller slate.
Redmond has now pushed the launch of Surface Mini to early 2014.
This is actually around the same time, the company is expected to finalize work on the LTE version of the Surface 2 (and maybe even the Surface Pro 2), and a time frame like this makes sense when taken in this particular context.
Ultimately, the Surface Mini will have plenty of company by then in the 8-inch display factor. Many hardware vendors and OEMs like Acer, ASUS, Dell, Lenovo and Toshiba are set to unleash their 8-inch Atom powered devices before the upcoming Holiday season.
But a 3G or 4G capable Surface Mini is always preferable than one with just WiFi connectivity, don’t you think? The comment box below is open for business.
All Comments
Have an LTE option for all three. And on at least two carriers.
What I think is that it is a good thing that micro surface will have lots of completion and xG is only preferable to those how need it but the option is good for all.
MS is doing it again…a repeat of last years launch. One would think they would learn from the past instaed of repeating it!
The Surface Mini is so far down on my list of “must-haves” that the delay is no biggie for me. Better that they get it right, right from the start.