Taking its cue from consumer preference for smaller tablets, Microsoft is on track to launch smaller and cheaper Windows 8-powered tablets in the coming months.
At a earnings call on Thursday, April 18, Microsoft's CFO Peter Klein told investors and analysts that consumers would soon see more Windows 8 touch-enabled devices at attractive price points.
"We are working closely with OEMs on a new suite of small touch devices powered by Windows," Klein said. "These devices will have competitive price points, partly enabled by our latest OEM offerings designed specifically for these smaller devices, and will be available in the coming months."
Microsoft forayed into the hardware business with the launch of its Surface RT tablet in October 2012. The company's Surface Pro also hit the U.S. shelves on Feb. 9 this year after unwarranted delays. Now Microsoft is believed to be working on a smaller line-up in a bid to challenge the likes of iPad mini and Nexus 7.
A few weeks ago, a Wall Street Journal report cited sources close to Microsoft and disclosed that the Redmond-based company had plans of launching a line-up of smaller 7-inch Surface tablets.
"One person familiar with Microsoft's product plans said the 7-inch tablets weren't part of the company's strategy last year, but Microsoft executives realized they needed a response to the rapidly growing popularity of smaller tablets like Google Inc.'s 7-inch Nexus, which was announced last summer, and the 7.9-inch iPad Mini introduced by Apple Inc. last October," reported WSJ at the time.
Klein also opined that Microsoft was working on "expanding and improving the experience, not just for Surface, but for Windows 8 devices at multiple price points, including lower price points going forward."
Recently, Intel's outgoing CEO Paul Otellini also echoed the cheap price point sentiment and averred that the company wanted to ensure that OEMs were able to build Windows 8 machines for less than $200 soon.
Even though Microsoft has "a lot of work ahead to break through in some key markets," according to Klein, a smaller and budget-friendly Windows 8 tablet could well give Android and iOS devices a run for their money.
