Microsoft expected to announce new Surface 2 devices in NY

PanARMENIAN.Net - Microsoft will lift the lid on new Surface 2 devices at an event in New York, which could see the software giant introduce a rumoured Surface Mini alongside refreshed versions of its existing tablets, v3.co.uk reports.

The event, which kicks off at 11am Monday, Sept 23, in New York, is widely expected to see Microsoft announce the Surface 2 and the Surface Pro 2, the successors to the existing Surface RT and Surface Pro models.

However, speculation has been growing that Microsoft will also announce a third device, a smaller 8in tablet dubbed the Surface Mini. A number of sources claim to have information from Microsoft insiders that this will be based on a Qualcomm processor and run the Windows RT 8.1 version of Microsoft's platform.

Meanwhile, the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 are widely believed to be physically almost identical to the existing Surface RT and Surface Pro models, with the main differences being newer processors and the upcoming Windows 8.1 refresh of the platform.

The Surface 2, which will come with the ARM-based Windows RT 8.1, is expected to include an Nvidia Tegra 4 processor in place of the Tegra 3 of the original. It is expected to ship with a very similar chassis, including the kickstand, but may include a higher-resolution 10.6in display that now supports 1920x1080 pixels.

Likewise, the Surface Pro 2 will come with the updated Windows 8.1 software and will also be based on a newer 4th generation Intel Core i5 processor. It too is expected to look and weigh pretty much the same as its predecessor, but may come with a higher resolution 1920x1080 touchscreen.

Both the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 are expected to ship at about the same time as Windows 8.1 becomes officially available on Oct 18. However, if the Surface Mini is announced, it may not ship until later in the year, according to rumours. v3.co.uk says.

Earlier, Microsoft launched a U.S. marketing offer for people to exchange "gently used" iPads for Microsoft products such as Surface tablets. The company is offering at least a $200 token to go towards products such as the Surface RT and the Surface Pro.

Microsoft is far behind Apple in terms of global tablet sales and market share.

Microsoft has experienced problems trying to sell Surface devices.

In the first quarter of this year, Apple shipped 19.5 million iPads, compared with 900,000 Microsoft tablets.In the second quarter, Microsoft shipped only 300,000 Surface devices, technology publication CiteWorld said.

Although Microsoft announced a revenue of $853 million on Surface sales in its latest financial regulatory filing, the company took a $900 million loss after failing to shift Surface RT devices.

Microsoft's $200 gift certificate offer is valid in its bricks and mortar stores. A Surface RT tablet costs $349, and a Surface Pro retails at $799.