Surface Mini | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Fri, 30 Jun 2017 16:44:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png Surface Mini | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Microsoft’s cancelled Surface Mini tablet has been unearthed https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/microsofts-cancelled-surface-mini-tablet-has-been-unearthed/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/microsofts-cancelled-surface-mini-tablet-has-been-unearthed/#comments Fri, 30 Jun 2017 16:43:36 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=339362 Way back in 2014, Microsoft was planning to expand its Surface tablet line with the launch of a Surface Mini. The tiny tablet was supposed to launch alongside the Surface Pro 3 that year but just a few weeks before the scheduled unveiling, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and former Nokia CEO, Stephen Elop, agreed to …

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Way back in 2014, Microsoft was planning to expand its Surface tablet line with the launch of a Surface Mini. The tiny tablet was supposed to launch alongside the Surface Pro 3 that year but just a few weeks before the scheduled unveiling, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and former Nokia CEO, Stephen Elop, agreed to cancel the Surface Mini entirely.

The Surface Mini was an 8-inch tablet with relatively good specs at the time. It had a 1440×1080 display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 1GB of RAM and 32GB of storage- not great by 2017 standards but back in early 2014 it would have managed just fine. In terms of design, it kept the general style we have come to expect from a Surface, including the kickstand at the back. However, there was a rubberised texture on the back it seems. Windows Central managed to get the scoop on this one, obtaining images of the cancelled tablet, which you can see below:

Given that the Surface Mini used an ARM processor, it did rely on Windows RT, which ended up being very unpopular due to various restrictions on app compatibility.

In the end, the Surface Mini being pulled may have been a blessing in the long run. Mini-tablets haven't really stood the test of time, Google had some success with the Nexus 7 but eventually stopped bothering and you can say the same for Apple and the iPad Mini, which hasn't seen an update in years.

KitGuru Says: I am always intrigued to see cancelled projects like this and get the backstory. While the Surface Mini would have been interesting to see, I doubt it would have sold well, especially now that mini-tablets have essentially been replaced by large smartphones. 

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Microsoft Surface sales are down 18% quarter-over-quarter https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/microsoft-surface-sales-are-down-18-quarter-over-quarter/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/microsoft-surface-sales-are-down-18-quarter-over-quarter/#respond Thu, 24 Jul 2014 22:59:03 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=204562 Sales of Surface tablets in the second quarter of calendar 2014 (Q4 FY2014) were significantly lower compared to the previous quarter, according to Microsoft. At the same time, sales of the company’s professional and media tablets in the fiscal 2014 were considerably higher compared to the Surface revenues a year before. Microsoft Surface revenue for …

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Sales of Surface tablets in the second quarter of calendar 2014 (Q4 FY2014) were significantly lower compared to the previous quarter, according to Microsoft. At the same time, sales of the company’s professional and media tablets in the fiscal 2014 were considerably higher compared to the Surface revenues a year before.

Microsoft Surface revenue for the fourth quarter of the company’s fiscal 2014 was $409 million (£240.8 million, €303.7 million), down 18 per cent from the previous quarter and a dramatic drop from the Q2 FY2014. For the whole fiscal year, which ended on the 30th of June, 2014, sales of Microsoft Surface tablets totalled $2.196 billion (£2.2928 billion, €1.630 billion), which is substantially higher compared to the Surface revenue for FY2013 ($853 million).

It is unclear why sales of Microsoft Surface products dropped in the second quarter of calendar 2014. Traditionally, sales of PCs are higher in the second quarter compared to the first quarter.

microsoft_surface_revenue

Please note that Microsoft has never reported precise quarterly Surface revenue for the fiscal year 2013. The company only said that the full-year FY2013 Surface revenue was $853 million. In addition, Microsoft said in Q3 FY2014 that the Surface revenue was up 50 per cent to $494 million, which means that in Q3 FY2013 sales of the company’s tablets were around $329 million. Therefore, the Surface revenue in Q2 FY2013 and Q4 FY2013 are estimates.

If average selling price of one Surface device is $550, then total sales of Surface devices during the fiscal 2014 were around four million units.

It is interesting to note that Microsoft confirmed in a filing with the SEC that it decided not to ship Surface mini media tablet based on the Windows RT operating system.

“Current year cost of revenue included Surface inventory adjustments resulting from our transition to newer generation devices and a decision to not ship a new form factor,” the filing reads.

microsoft_surface_2

Microsoft did not comment on the news-story.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: While sales of Surface tablets are improving, they still remain on very low levels and are dramatically behind shipments of Apple iPads as well as slates based on the Google Android operating system. With the Surface 3 Pro it is evident that Microsoft can develop fine hardware. However, it looks like the reason behind poor sales of the Surface is not only hardware, but software and prices. It is completely unclear how Microsoft plans to change the situation.

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Microsoft to announce huge job cuts this this week – report https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/anton-shilov/microsoft-to-announce-huge-job-cuts-this-this-week-report/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/operating-systems/anton-shilov/microsoft-to-announce-huge-job-cuts-this-this-week-report/#comments Tue, 15 Jul 2014 22:56:20 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=203089 Chief executive officer of Microsoft Corp. has already implied on strategy changes at the software giant. As it usually happens, strategic shifts happen in a combination with massive layoffs. A media report suggests that the job cuts will be announced as soon as this week. After Microsoft added 30 thousand of new employees as a …

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Chief executive officer of Microsoft Corp. has already implied on strategy changes at the software giant. As it usually happens, strategic shifts happen in a combination with massive layoffs. A media report suggests that the job cuts will be announced as soon as this week.

After Microsoft added 30 thousand of new employees as a result of acquisition of Nokia’s devices and services division earlier this year, it had 127 thousand of workers as of early June. In a bid to optimize its costs, the company plans to reduce its workforce rather significantly, cutting thousands of positions.

The reductions are projected to be in engineering, marketing and areas of overlap with Nokia, reports Bloomberg news-agency citing sources with knowledge of the matter. Some of the job cuts are expected to be in marketing departments for businesses such as the global Xbox team, the report claims.

microsoft_logo

Back in 2009 the software giant laid off 5800 employees worldwide, which was the biggest job cut at Microsoft ever. The new workforce reduction plan may be even more significant than the one in 2009.

Microsoft did not comment on the news-story.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Keeping in mind that Satya Nadella seems to have significantly different plans for Microsoft compared to what was proposed by Steve Ballmer, it was logical to expect job cuts. What remains to be seen is how many people will Microsoft let go…

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Microsoft cancels Surface Mini media tablet https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/tablet-pc/anton-shilov/microsoft-cancels-surface-mini-media-tablet/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/tablet-pc/anton-shilov/microsoft-cancels-surface-mini-media-tablet/#comments Mon, 30 Jun 2014 22:57:45 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=200901 Microsoft Corp. has reportedly called off its plans to introduce Surface Mini media tablet. The company decided not to enter the market of smaller slates because it is already very crowded. Nonetheless, the software giant may reconsider its plans regarding smaller tablets if market conditions change. Microsoft was expected to introduce the Surface Mini tablet …

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Microsoft Corp. has reportedly called off its plans to introduce Surface Mini media tablet. The company decided not to enter the market of smaller slates because it is already very crowded. Nonetheless, the software giant may reconsider its plans regarding smaller tablets if market conditions change.

Microsoft was expected to introduce the Surface Mini tablet back in May, but for some reason did not do it. The tablet was reportedly based on the Windows RT operating system and an ARM-powered system-on-chip, DigiTimes reports. Previously it was rumoured that Microsoft planned to use Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 or 600 system-on-chip for its Surface Mini.

Vostrostone (VSTN), a well-known brand that makes cases for media tablets and smartphones, started to take pre-orders on its protective cases for Microsoft Surface Mini tablets at Amazon back in May. The online store still sells the cases and calls the slate as the “Surface X”. Theoretically, this may mean that the smaller tablet from Microsoft is still in the roadmap.

microsoft_surface_mini_with_case

Compared to other slates with 7.5” – 8” displays, the Surface Mini's specifications have nothing in particular to boost its competitiveness and therefore Microsoft has decided to delay the tablet's introduction and may not even release it to at all, according to DigiTimes. Keeping in mind that Amazon and Apple plan to introduce new Kindle Fire and iPad mini tablets in the coming months, the idea to cancel the Surface Mini may be a good one.

Microsoft did not comment on the news-story.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: If the Surface Mini did not have a lot of advantages compared to rivals, it was logical for Microsoft to cancel it. Most probably the company is reworking the slate now and will release it along with the next-generation of tablets from Apple, Amazon, Samsung and other.

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Sales of Microsoft Surface grow, but losses deepen too https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/tablet-pc/anton-shilov/sales-of-microsoft-surface-grow-but-losses-deepen-too/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/tablet-pc/anton-shilov/sales-of-microsoft-surface-grow-but-losses-deepen-too/#respond Tue, 29 Apr 2014 22:57:52 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=190001 Microsoft Corp. said last week that sales of its Surface media and business tablets grew significantly year-over-year in the third quarter of its fiscal 2014. While this is generally a good for the company, since the growing amount of consumers chose Surface over rivals, this also meant that the company lost more money on its …

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Microsoft Corp. said last week that sales of its Surface media and business tablets grew significantly year-over-year in the third quarter of its fiscal 2014. While this is generally a good for the company, since the growing amount of consumers chose Surface over rivals, this also meant that the company lost more money on its slates.

Surface revenue grew over 50 per cent year-over-year to approximately $494 million, according to Microsoft’s financial results for the quarter, which ended on the 31st of March, 2014. The company did not reveal whether during the quarter it sold mostly new-generation Surface tablets released in 2013 or previous-gen slates launched in 2012. It also did not provide split between sales of Surface for consumers and Surface Pro for professionals.

What is known is that Surface’s cost of revenue was $539 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, which increased due mainly to a higher number of units sold. In general, this means that the company continues to lose money on its tablets and during the Q3 FY2014 it lost $45 million.

microsoft_surface_2_both

While losses on hardware is not something brand new for Microsoft (it is used for losses being in the video game console business), what is noteworthy is that it could not make money on two generations of Surface that have been on the market for well over a year. It is okay to lose money on game console hardware since they will return in the form of software sales, but for devices like Surface, companies have to earn on hardware. Although hardware is now one of Microsoft’s strategic businesses, the company still cannot make money on it.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Hardware business is different from software business that Microsoft is used to. It is obvious that in the future the Redmond, Washington-based company will learn how to make profit from Surface tablets. But until then it will continue to bleed money at increasing pace now that it has Nokia's smartphones, tablets and feature phones in its product lineup.

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First photo of Microsoft Surface Mini published by case maker https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/anton-shilov/first-photo-of-microsoft-surface-mini-published-by-case-maker/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/anton-shilov/first-photo-of-microsoft-surface-mini-published-by-case-maker/#respond Fri, 25 Apr 2014 12:13:06 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=189098 A smaller version of Microsoft Corp.’s Surface media tablet has been discussed ever since the launch of the original Surface back in 2012, but the software giant has never confirmed plans to release such a product. Nonetheless, in many cases rumours do materialise and the so-called Surface Mini tablet is about to enter the market. …

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A smaller version of Microsoft Corp.’s Surface media tablet has been discussed ever since the launch of the original Surface back in 2012, but the software giant has never confirmed plans to release such a product. Nonetheless, in many cases rumours do materialise and the so-called Surface Mini tablet is about to enter the market. A maker of cases has even published the first photo of the device.

microsoft_surface_mini_with_case_2

Vostrostone (VSTN), a well-known brand that makes cases for media tablets and smartphones, recently started to take pre-orders on its protective cases for Microsoft Surface Mini tablets at Amazon. One of the covers is just a smart cover made of leather, another is a leather case with a Bluetooth keyboard. The cases are pretty affordable: the simple one costs $10 without shipping and taxes, the one with the keyboard is priced at $33 without shipping and taxes. Both covers will be available starting from the 18th of May, which is likely to be the launch date of Microsoft Surface Mini.

microsoft_surface_mini_with_case

Specifications of the upcoming Surface Mini tablets are still not known. It is believed that the slate has 8” display, uses an ARMv7-compatible microprocessor and Windows RT operating system. Previously it was rumoured that Microsoft planned to use Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 or 600 system-on-chip for its Surface Mini.

As it is obvious from the photo, the Surface Mini will have a front cam, a sensor Windows key, microphone and so on.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Microsoft Surface Mini is clearly a step in the right direction for the company. However, to make it a success, it must feature something, which is absent from current-gen Apple iPad mini, Amazon Kindle Fire HD/HDX and other popular slates. Otherwise, Microsoft’s Surface Mini will have only three to four months to sell before next-gen tablets from Amazon and Apple will hit the market.

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