FCC clears lower cost Surface tablet, expected to come to market soon

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

It looks like a more affordable and compact Surface tablet is in the works. The FCC cleared a 10-inch tablet for release this year, which makes it likely that an education focused Surface device is on the way.

Intel from the report claims a “portable computing device” which doesn’t have a specific name except “Model 1824.” The various documents also reveal that the new hardware will be powered by a 24W charger, similar to the one used by the Surface Pro 4 ( the 2017 Surface Pro uses a more powerful 36W charger).

A 10-inch device in the US $400 price range makes a lot of sense for Microsoft and for Surface. It will appeal to students, it can compete with Apple's iPad (which now has Apple Pencil support across the line). The original Surface, which ran on an ARM processor, was a 10-inch device that aimed at students as well althought the Windows RT OS that accompanied it was limited at the time.

A $400 Surface device is also ideal for users new to the 2-in-1 form factor, artists looking for a precise drawing tablet as well as frequent travelers who don't need the power and size of a larger Surface device. For Microsoft it gives them an entry level product well below their current $899 cost for a new Surface Pro. Stay tuned as we try to find out more about this new Surface tablet.

Source: ONMSFT