Will Surface RT inventories be cleared out around Black Friday?

[TheAsbo]

I'd like to get a Surface RT with a Touch or Type cover for cheap, mostly to use Microsoft Office 365 at school.

 

[juanitoriv]

More than likely a fire sale

 

[rebornempowered]

Hopefully the more people using them the more likely we are to see apps developed.

 

[WillysJeepMan]

I'd like to get a Surface RT with a Touch or Type cover for cheap, mostly to use Microsoft Office 365 at school.

I see many similarities in how Microsoft is handling the Surface line and what they did with the Zune. In Fall 2007, Microsoft announced the 2nd generation Zune devices. Microsoft still had warehouses filled with Zune 30s and so they were offered as "door buster" items on Black Friday of 2007. The retail price of $250 was slashed to $100 for Black Friday. That instantly catapulted the Zune 30 to the top of the "must have" gadget list that holiday season. I vividly remember people camping out for a chance to buy one, and the continuous phone calls from family and friends who wanted me to help them find one. It was fun, it was exciting. The excitement on the 30 spilled over onto the 2nd gen (80GB model) causing the 80GB model to sell out for the holiday season.

I have no inside information, but I believe that the Surface RT bundle will be available as a Black Friday door buster item. Check websites like slickdeals or my personal favorite, bfads, for early BF advertisements.

I would not be surprised to see 32GB Surface RT w/TouchCover bundle selling for $199 new. I bought a manufacturer refurbished bundle a month or so ago for $199... they sold out so quickly that Microsoft knows new units at that price will draw significant attention. That would help draw attention toward the Surface 2.

Just my thoughts.

 

[juanitoriv]

Its like I can see your crystal ball too NostraJeepMus..

 

[jobinthomas]

Holy crap, I would jump on that so fast!

Sent from my RM-917_nam_usa_100 using Tapatalk

 

[gsquared]

That or they will donate them to schools. The latter would be a better thing since they have already written them off. Get'em while there young..

 

[Insti Gator]

I'm curious..

What is the appeal of RT if introductory prices on their devices are equal to or greater than full x86/64 devices?

For instance why buy a new surface 2 at $449, when you could have an equivalent if not more useable Asus T100 x86 for $349?

 

[DJCBS]

I'm curious..

What is the appeal of RT if introductory prices on their devices are equal to or greater than full x86/64 devices?

For instance why buy a new surface 2 at $449, when you could have an equivalent if not more useable Asus T100 x86 for $349?

Well...the Surface 2 comes with Office and the Asus will make you buy Office (another 120$). Still, yeah, given the lack of Apps in the Store and the fact that the Asus can run normal Windows Programs, it is a bit hard to justify the prices.

 

[inteller]

I see many similarities in how Microsoft is handling the Surface line and what they did with the Zune. In Fall 2007, Microsoft announced the 2nd generation Zune devices. Microsoft still had warehouses filled with Zune 30s and so they were offered as "door buster" items on Black Friday of 2007. The retail price of $250 was slashed to $100 for Black Friday. That instantly catapulted the Zune 30 to the top of the "must have" gadget list that holiday season. I vividly remember people camping out for a chance to buy one, and the continuous phone calls from family and friends who wanted me to help them find one. It was fun, it was exciting. The excitement on the 30 spilled over onto the 2nd gen (80GB model) causing the 80GB model to sell out for the holiday season.


Just my thoughts.

Zune 30 was a great device. If Microsoft still supported Zune actively I'd still have mine.

I have no doubt in my mind they will blow out the remaining Surface inventory for Black Friday. Expect it. With 8.1 the Surface is a VERY solid device.

 

[DJCBS]

Zune 30 was a great device. If Microsoft still supported Zune actively I'd still have mine.

I have no doubt in my mind they will blow out the remaining Surface inventory for Black Friday. Expect it. With 8.1 the Surface is a VERY solid device.

Question is: will they include the Surface Pro there too? Or will they limit that to the Surface RT?
I'm crossing my fingers they throw in the Pro. 'cause even at 699€, I don't think it's a justifiable price for such poor battery life (also, I wouldn't do more in it than I do on my RT). If they place it on Black Friday...oh, I'm getting it, obviously.

 

[WillysJeepMan]

Question is: will they include the Surface Pro there too? Or will they limit that to the Surface RT?
I'm crossing my fingers they throw in the Pro. 'cause even at 699€, I don't think it's a justifiable price for such poor battery life (also, I wouldn't do more in it than I do on my RT). If they place it on Black Friday...oh, I'm getting it, obviously.

I highly doubt that they will include the Surface Pro (in this as yet mythical door buster sale). Those who need/want the Pro will shell out the money for it. Microsoft just dropped the price of the Pro by $100 (here in the US) I think that is to help differentiate it further from the Pro 2.

 

[DJCBS]

I highly doubt that they will include the Surface Pro (in this as yet mythical door buster sale). Those who need/want the Pro will shell out the money for it. Microsoft just dropped the price of the Pro by $100 (here in the US) I think that is to help differentiate it further from the Pro 2.

The reduction is worldwide.
However, I don't think the 200€ difference will make people buy more the Pro 1 instead of the Pro 2, specially since people who may want the Pro will probably want good battery life with it. And the Pro 1 battery life is miserable. People who can throw 700€ for a pro (plus 120€ for Office and 130€ for a cover) can also give 900€ for it. Others will go with the way more affordable products of the competition.
Hence why doubt regarding the possibility of the Pro being included.
Also, it would give Microsoft a good idea regarding the receptivity of the consumers when the products aren't so overpriced.

 

[inteller]

Question is: will they include the Surface Pro there too? Or will they limit that to the Surface RT?
I'm crossing my fingers they throw in the Pro. 'cause even at 699€, I don't think it's a justifiable price for such poor battery life (also, I wouldn't do more in it than I do on my RT). If they place it on Black Friday...oh, I'm getting it, obviously.

I would not be surprised if they have almost sold through Surface Pro inventory. It has always sold steadily and they didn't make as many to begin with.

 

[xboxonthego3]

Well...the Surface 2 comes with Office and the Asus will make you buy Office (another 120$). Still, yeah, given the lack of Apps in the Store and the fact that the Asus can run normal Windows Programs, it is a bit hard to justify the prices.

The Asus T100 still comes with office for free. From what I understand anyway.

 

[xboxonthego3]

I'd like to get a Surface RT with a Touch or Type cover for cheap, mostly to use Microsoft Office 365 at school.

Also Surface RT comes with Office. So you wouldn't need Office 365. Unless you actually mean you are going to use 365 on another computer. But if use a school computer it should already have office. Just trying to help you out so you don't spend more money then you have to.

 

[inteller]

no, you just login to Office with your 365 account and it integrates seamlessly. They aren't mutually exclusive.

 

[pbankey]

I'm really looking forward to the future of Windows RT. Part of it is because I know Nokia is going to do a ton to bring new apps, support, content to the RT platform (as they have with WP8), but the other reason is because I know a black Friday fire-like sale will come and the RT adoption will increase a bunch.

Which means a larger user base.

Which means a higher demand for apps.

Which means a more compelling reason for developers to develop for RT.

Which means we win!

 

[TheAsbo]

Also Surface RT comes with Office. So you wouldn't need Office 365. Unless you actually mean you are going to use 365 on another computer. But if use a school computer it should already have office. Just trying to help you out so you don't spend more money then you have to.

I already have Office 365. I was kind of curious as to whether the Windows RT version of Office is crippled in any way.

 

[xboxonthego3]

I already have Office 365. I was kind of curious as to whether the Windows RT version of Office is crippled in any way.

Hmmm not that I can remember. But I couldn't tell you since I have sold my RT awhile back. Maybe someone else in the forums can hopefully provide info for you on that.