Quote:
Originally Posted by Kumabjorn
Something weird must have happened with the Mini between sending out invitations and then holding the press information. Invitation said "Small gathering" or something similar, a clear attempt at hyping a smaller device.
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Not really. The "small gathering" might have played into the rumor of a Surface Mini but was really small in that it was about 1 device and irony that it was to announce a LARGER Surface.
I'd be quite surprised if Microsoft produced a Surface Mini. I know that it makes sense to some, but it makes no sense to me. Microsoft has positioned the Surface line as being a premium line... premium hardware, premium price. That isn't working out too well.
For years MS fans have been claiming that Apple's devices are overpriced boutique items that cater more to image than to value. So now here comes Microsoft producing devices that cost as much if not more than Apple alternatives. So Microsoft is attempting to do the boutique thing too, except they don't have the track record to pull it off.
Where is the market for a Surface Mini? Who would buy a Surface Mini running Windows RT priced at $349? Or a Surface Mini running Windows x86 for $399? (assuming that those were the price points... they could actually be higher) Especially when 8" tabs like the Dell Venue 8 Pro regularly sell between $200-$250.
I think that Microsoft is also holding back on some Surface announcements waiting to see what Apple announces in June.