Should Microsoft release Surface tablets with Bay Trail/Atom?


Recommended Posts

So now that Microsoft has discontinued the ARM-based Surface 2 devices, shouldn't Microsoft replace it with an x86 Surface tablet running Intel Bay Trail/Atom devices?

 

Sure, the Surface Pro line is great, but not everyone can pay $800 + Type Cover for a computer.

 

Surface running Bay Trail/Atom would be cheap enough to replace the replace the Surface 2 while not having the drawback of the Surface 2 (namely, not being able to run Win32 apps).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello,

 

While I personally would like to own a Mini Surface, I think it would be difficult for Microsoft to compete at that end of the market.  Consumers are very  sensitive to price, and it would be tough to compete against $60 Windows 8.1 tablets.

 

Regards,

 

Aryeh Goretsky

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If anything, a Surface mini (or Surface BT) should be priced at $99USD or even $129USD - above the lower-end Windows 8/10 tablets we are seeing today.

 

In short, mini/BT in this space should be what Surface Pro is in the notebook/tablet space - a premium/signature device (however, because it will be running 8.1/10, it can do so without being gimped, OR have the high-end price).  If anything, mini/BT will compete with refurbished notebooks and even some refurbished desktops - along with the iPad mini and iPad Air (at $129USD, it would, in fact, severely undercut the Air AND the mini).  Basically, mini/BT would take on the iPad heads-up, which the original RT was unable to do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I highly doubt that Microsoft is going to enter the ~$100 cutthroat market. If Microsoft is going to make a cheaper Suface, it's going to cost somewhere between $300 and $500 depending on the model.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello,

 

I just bought this $60 Windows 8.1 tablet (actually more like $75 after adding a case and S&H).  As illegaloperation noted, Microsoft would start competing at a price-range starting at 5

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why all the hype over a Surface mini? Such a device would just be a glorified phone since with Windows 10 devices 8" and smaller will run the phone OS. But maybe that's what you guys want. Besides, the OP isn't even talking about such things, he's suggesting a 10" Surface to replace the Surface RT/2 but using Atom instead of an ARM cpu. And I think that would be really nice... I'm one of those that would love a Surface Pro 3 but I can't really afford it right now (same reason I bought an RT a few years ago). After seeing what the Asus T100 (Atom CPU) can do, it would be nice that have similar internals in the Surface form.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why all the hype over a Surface mini? Such a device would just be a glorified phone since with Windows 10 devices 8" and smaller will run the phone OS. But maybe that's what you guys want. Besides, the OP isn't even talking about such things, he's suggesting a 10" Surface to replace the Surface RT/2 but using Atom instead of an ARM cpu. And I think that would be really nice... I'm one of those that would love a Surface Pro 3 but I can't really afford it right now (same reason I bought an RT a few years ago). After seeing what the Asus T100 (Atom CPU) can do, it would be nice that have similar internals in the Surface form.

 

That's exactly what I am saying: Surface 2-like hardware with Intel Atom processor.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Microsoft should sell tablet with this specs for $499.

 

Intel Atom/Bay Trail quad-core 1.49 GHz

2 GB DDR3 RAM

32 GB internal storage

10.1 inch display

3.5 MP front/5.0 MP rear camera

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Raa, on 23 Mar 2015 - 16:43, said:Raa, on 23 Mar 2015 - 16:43, said:Raa, on 23 Mar 2015 - 16:43, said:

Yes absolutely they should as long as it's at a good price point and consumers are aware these are a "low powered" version.

 

Well, the Surface Pro 3 are for professionals, so these tablets should be call something else.

 

Surface 3C, anyone?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Raa, on 23 Mar 2015 - 16:50, said:Raa, on 23 Mar 2015 - 16:50, said:Raa, on 23 Mar 2015 - 16:50, said:Raa, on 23 Mar 2015 - 16:50, said:Raa, on 23 Mar 2015 - 16:50, said:

Ugh, no thanks! :p

 

But they should be called something different to set them apart. Surface Lite maybe?

 

Surface Cheap :rofl:

 

...since it is the same price as the iPad Air 2

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IMO, they can't as it'd compete directly with their partners who are already making these devices for very little profit.  I don't expect them to do it.  At the high end, they're offering a product not many others seem to want to offer.

 

Would I buy it?  If it's Cherry Trail, probably.  Bay Trail is surprisingly good, but it's not that good.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IMO, they can't as it'd compete directly with their partners who are already making these devices for very little profit.  I don't expect them to do it.  At the high end, they're offering a product not many others seem to want to offer.

 

Would I buy it?  If it's Cherry Trail, probably.  Bay Trail is surprisingly good, but it's not that good.

 

People are willing to pay a premium for a device they believe are well made.

 

Look at how Apple can sell 10 inch tablets for $499 while Samsung has to sell them for $300.

 

Microsoft has to make a case for why people would want to buy them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

People are willing to pay a premium for a device they believe are well made.

 

Look at how Apple can sell 10 inch tablets for $499 while Samsung has to sell them for $300.

 

Microsoft has to make a case for why people would want to buy them.

What competition does Apple have?  They sell at whatever price people will pay.

 

You could point to Google as a more apt comparison, with their Nexus line...but Android has been hamstrung by CarrierID/other malware/lacking partner updates&UI mods so it's more understandable response to their situation.

 

I just don't see them making an incredibly compelling small tab that does anything their partners builds don't, which is probably why they shelved it in the first place.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

randomevent, on 23 Mar 2015 - 19:50, said:

What competition does Apple have?  They sell at whatever price people will pay.

 

You could point to Google as a more apt comparison, with their Nexus line...but Android has been hamstrung by CarrierID/other malware/lacking partner updates&UI mods so it's more understandable response to their situation.

 

I just don't see them making an incredibly compelling small tab that does anything their partners builds don't, which is probably why they shelved it in the first place.

 

What I see coming out of other OEMs are a lot of tablets aren't very compelling: they are just cheap and often poorly constructed.

 

There's a market out there for people who want premium devices, but don't necessary need the power of Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processors.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

randomevent, on 23 Mar 2015 - 20:37, said:randomevent, on 23 Mar 2015 - 20:37, said:randomevent, on 23 Mar 2015 - 20:37, said:randomevent, on 23 Mar 2015 - 20:37, said:

You're talking about 7 and 8" tablets here.  With Bay Trail.  Nothing with Bay Trail will ever be considered 'premium.'

 

No. I am talking about the 10 inch tablet that is intended to steal consumers away from the iPad Air 2.

 

Keyboard sold separately.

 

The Surface Pro 3 is too expensive to do this.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

randomevent, on 23 Mar 2015 - 20:54, said:randomevent, on 23 Mar 2015 - 20:54, said:

Well that sounds like a gigantic waste of time.  Hell, look how happy people are with their 'premium' Bay Trail devices - http://www.dell.com/us/p/dell-venue-11-pro/pd?&ST=dell%20venue%2011%20pro&dgc=ST&cid=282696&lid=5371240&acd=123098073120600

 

Did you look through the reviews? A lot of the poor reviews has nothing to do with the performance of the processors, but rather the construction of the devices.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Microsoft could easily create some kind of mini surface for a price between $350 to $500 without damaging the low end market of tablets that they have with their partners. People are willing to pay a premium for a great PC/tablet but at almost a $1,000 bucks for a surface pro... It's really expensive for people that don't want to pay that amount of money.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.