Earlier this month, I wrote an opinion piece that put forward a number of reasons why Microsoft’s new Surface tablet may have a surprising impact on the iPad. That was based on the assumption that the Surface would be priced competitively — like Microsoft said it would be.
But according to one European retailer, the entry-level slate running Windows RT — not full Windows 8 — will be priced from 6990 kr (Swedish Krona), which is approximately $1,013. If this is correct, Microsoft is wasting its time on releasing the Surface, and Apple needn’t worry about it stealing any of the iPad’s market share.
As I’ve said before, the Surface looks great, and it has some huge advantages over other tablets — including the iPad. The Pro version, for example, can run desktop Windows apps, which means it’ll launch with access to the world’s largest software catalog, and is quite capable of replacing a notebook computer.
But that doesn’t mean it can get away with a massive price tag. It still needs to compete with the iPad — which currently holds more than half of the market share — and tablets like the Nexus 7 and the Kindle Fire have proven that the only way to do that is to be priced competitively.
According to Swedish retailer Webhallen, the Surface won’t be. Webhallen has the 32GB Windows RT model, which features an ARM-based processor, priced at 6990 kr (approx. $1,013). The 64GB version with the same ARM-based processor is priced at 9990 kr (approx. $1,448).
But of course, everyone’s going to want the Pro version, which features an Intel processor capable of running full, desktop-version Windows 8 apps. Prices for this model start at 12,990 kr (approx. $1,882) for 64GB of storage, according to Webhallen, and rise to 14,990 kr (approx. $2,172) for 128GB of storage.
That means that even the basic Surface tablet, which no one really wants, is going to cost you around $514 more than a new iPad, or $614 more than an iPad 2.
Let’s hope, for Microsoft’s sake, that Webhallen has those prices completely wrong. Because if they’re accurate, the Surface has no chance.
Source: Webhallen
Via: WP Central
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
18 responses to “Don’t Worry, Apple! Microsoft Will Kill Its Own Surface Tablet With $1,000 Price Tag”
More of a case of speculative pricing. Microsoft hasn’t priced the Surface as yet. As Far as I know certain retailers want to get a head start and start taking orders in advance. It could be probably a case where they are just guessing the price.
I swear, speculation, speculation more speculation. At least wait till they announce the price officially and then predict the doom.
Bear in mind that Sweden has 25% VAT, the US doesn’t. A 16 GB iPad WiFi costs 4290 crowns which equates to 622 dollars at todays conversion rate.
Isn’t that overseas development pricing like shipping Windows RT/Pro to Swedish Kronia and other countries? Their money is higher than USA.
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Even though the iPad is cheaper than Windows 8 by a large fraction, you are holding a computer essentially with a keyboard, touch screen, and runs Desktop applications. Only one of which the iPad does and it’s more lightweight than an iMac or an HP TouchScreen AiO.
Surface looks to me like a “nerd” device, so not so mainstream.
This is no different than what Microsoft said during their keynote. They said that the Intel version of the Surface would cost as much as comparable ultrabooks. This is a full computer people, not a slim OS tablet.
The Windows tools will happily pay that much for a ZunePad if they think they’re getting a unique product from Microsoft. Steve Ballmer said Microsoft is going to crush Apple’s iPad in the enterprise so I imagine the corporate sector will buy bunches of them for better Windows integration. Corporations are known to throw away plenty of money on anything that’s labeled with Microsoft or Windows.
I’ve been using Windows since version 2.1 (1990) and have never seen anything worse than Windows 8. After using the preview for 2 weeks the interface is like a treasure hunt trying to find a method to do what you want. It is a nightmare user interface.
I have no problem using Win7, OS X, Open VMS, and HP UNIX every day, but hate Windows 8. Even if they gave the tablet away I wouldn’t want one.
What is the iPhone and iPad selling for in Sweden versus the US? There are going to be differences. Didn’t Apple run into some problems regarding this faux “overcharge”?
Bogus! http://techie-buzz.com/microsoft/no-microsofts-entry-level-surface-will-not-cost-1000.html
“Let’s hope, for Microsoft’s sake, that Webhallen has those prices completely wrong. Because if they’re accurate, the Surface has no chance” I would recommend you post an update on this :)
From what I can tell most people hate what they seen in Windows 8, me being one of them. I have been critical of Microsoft in the past, but I will hand it to them, Windows 7 is the best OS they have ever released. I still use a PC I built myself for gaming and I am holding on to Windows 7 for as long as possible.
Had microsoft taken the Apple “route” and integrated Windows Phone 8 into Windows 8, they would surely see success. But as far as I can tell, even the Dye-In-the-wool Windows Fanboys hate Windows 8 and will avoid upgrading at all cost, even if it means they can’t use the shiny new Surface with its kickstand and leather keyboard.
Furthermore, I still don’t understand why Microsoft is being praised for having a tablet that runs desktop apps. Yeah, there is a whole lot of software out there for Windows, most of which is complete crap, and that crappiness will be increased exponentially when you try to run it on a touch based tablet.
If this post speaks the truth, the Surface will fail hard. As most of us Apple user know, PC users hate to spend money. This is a major reason they despise Apple. They would much rather use crap as long as it is cheap because for some reason Cheap=Better in the Win-PC-Fanboy mind.
I agree with angarok – Swedish tax is very high, and the price advertised usually includes all taxes. So it’s not a good barometer when looking at the potential cost.
Even if this was legit foreign currency doesn’t convert to US directly like this. If that was the case the Macbook Pro with Retina display would be $2700 and the iPad 2 starting price would be almost $500 when converting from UK prices to USD!
The OP should stop being such an APPLE-CENTRIC minded dolt and actually post real news not speculation. Hell at least get VAT’s and conversions correct.
To the OP ever buy a car in Australia or the Philippines? Would you compare their prices with the US prices through conversion only?
To the MS bashers get a clue. The Surface wasn’t designed to go toe to toe with the IPAD. What it will do is create another vertical market for hardware MFR’s. It has been done but not to the exacting details that the surface brings, the battery life and the quality. If they can pull this off then they will have a winner on their hands.
The thin Keyboard does exist and some of the press has already commented on it after they used it. No vaporware.
It’s the Nexus 7 that will keep Mr. Cook up at night
One country is not an indication. For example, entry level iPhone 4s (unlocked) costs $1050 in Russia. That’s almost TWICE as more than what it costs in the US ($650).