Microsoft Corp is going for the low-end of the personal computing market with a smaller, cheaper Surface Go tablet that takes on Apple Inc\u2019s cheapest iPads.<\/p>\n
The Surface Go has a 10-inch screen, about the same size as the entry-level iPad. At $399, the device is $400 cheaper than the current Surface Pro tablet, but has slower Intel Corp. processors and about four hours less battery time, Microsoft said.<\/p>\n
The new tablet weighs 1.15 pounds, far lighter than existing Surface products. It goes on sale Aug. 2 with Wi-Fi connectivity. Cellular versions are coming later.<\/p>\n
Like Microsoft\u2019s earlier devices, the Surface Go will work with optional keyboards and mouses. The company announced cheaper versions of both accessories on Monday.<\/p>\n
For the first time on Microsoft hardware, the Go will use the USB-C charging standard. The new tablets come in multiple configurations, including 64, 128, and 256 gigabyte storage options and 4 or 8 gigabytes of RAM. Prices range from $399 to more than $549.<\/p>\n
The sub-$400 price point is key for Microsoft as it tries to turn its Surface business into a more serious challenger to other computer hardware makers.<\/p>\n
Cheaper devices can attract students who get comfortable with the technology and spread it to the workplace after they graduate.<\/p>\n
That strategy has helped Apple, which unveiled a $299 iPad earlier this year for schools. Google has also seen some success with its low-cost Chromebook laptops.<\/p>\n
The Surface Go is still more expensive than the cheapest iPad, but the Go tablet is compatible with professional features, like the detachable keyboard, that are missing on the entry-level iPad.<\/p>\n
Bloomberg News reported on Microsoft\u2019s new tablet line in May.<\/p>\n
Microsoft release a $499 Surface 3 tablet in 2015, but discontinued the product in 2016. The software giant kicked off its consumer hardware push in 2012 with the launch of the Surface RT.<\/p>\n
These tablets didn\u2019t resonate with consumers, so the company focused more on pricier Pro models.<\/p>\n
So far, Microsoft has struggled to make a hit Surface product. The business generated $4.4 billion in revenue in the past four quarters. Apple sold $20 billion worth of iPads in the same period.<\/p>\n