DigiTimes‘ ninjas have a new target – Microsoft Surface. They’ve been asking their industry sources in Taiwan about the Redmond giant’s new tablet. Thanks to them [ninjas] we know that Microsoft will most likely ask $599 for the ARM-based Surface (the one with NVidia Tegra 3 processor), while the more expensive model with Intel’s Ivy Bridge processor could go for $799. The report also claims that Pegatron Technology scored the assembly deal, though there are still no firm estimates for order volumes.
Our two cents – Microsoft will have really hard time convincing people to pour out $599 for a tablet. The software giant needs to come out with a more aggressive price to push users to get another device which they don’t necessarily need. Apple’s iPad is not just the most popular tablet out there, but it’s also more affordable and that’s a big problem.
On the other side, Ballmer & Co. must be extra careful not to offend its partners, which will also be making Windows 8 tablets. All in all, it will be kinda hard thing to balance when you think about it…