Electronics retail chain Best Buy has silently cut the price of Microsoft's original Surface Pro tablet. This isn't the first time Microsoft's Windows 8-based tablet has seen a reduction in price, but it's probably the largest yet: $400! The device originally launched in February 2013 for a meaty price of $999.
So why such a big cut in price? Likely because its successor, the entry-level Surface Pro 2 tablet, costs $899. Either Microsoft thought that the original price was too steep and we may soon see this price point begin to surface (no pun intended) at other retail outlets, or Best Buy is trying to make room on shelves for the newer model.
The first generation Surface Pro tablet has a 10.6-inch multi-touch IPS screen with a 1920 x 1080 resolution (208 ppi), powered by a dual-core Intel Core i5-3317U, Intel HD Graphics 4000 and 4 GB of RAM. Additional features include 128 GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot for additional storage, front and rear cameras, dual-band Wireless N and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, and more.
By comparison, the second generation Surface Pro 2 has a 10.6-inch 10-point touch IPS screen with a 1920 x 1080 resolution (208 ppi), backed by an Intel Core i5-4200U chip, Intel HD Graphics 4400, and 4 GB of RAM. There are also storage capacities up to 512 GB, a microSD card slot, front and rear cameras, Wireless AC and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, and so on.
Both models sport a built-in kickstand for propping up the tablet, and a pen stylus for jotting down notes, editing documents, collaborating with others and to "do your signature work."
News of the discount arrives after Best Buy announced that it will start a new smartphone promotion this Sunday. Ending on February 15, customers can sign up for a $50 Best Buy card that can go towards purchasing and activating a mobile phone at Best Buy at any time during 2014.
To qualify, merely go into the store between February 2 and February 15 and register your mobile number, email address, and up to four additional phone numbers on a family plan. Then before December 31, 2014, activate a new mobile device with the registered phone number and a two-year agreement, and receive $50 on a Best Buy card.
"Remember, once you've signed up, the offer runs until the end of 2014. If a phone isn't activated before the end of the year, the offer simply goes away," Best Buy reports. "Upgrades and port-in activations qualify, but new lines and new phone numbers are not eligible."
For the full terms and conditions, head here. Also click here to see if you're eligible for an upgrade.
