Microsoft Debuts $399 Surface Go Tablet, Taking on Cheaper iPads

Microsoft is going for the low-end of the personal computing market with a smaller, cheaper Surface Go tablet that takes on Apple Inc.’s cheapest iPads, according to Bloomberg.

The Surface Go has a 10-inch screen, about the same size as the entry-level iPad. At $399, the device is $400 cheaper than the current Surface Pro tablet, but has slower Intel processors and about four hours less battery time, Microsoft said. The new tablet weighs 1.15 pounds, far lighter than existing Surface products. It goes on sale Aug. 2 with Wi-Fi connectivity. Cellular versions are coming later.

Like Microsoft’s earlier devices, the Surface Go will work with optional keyboards and mouses. For the first time on Microsoft hardware, the Go will use the USB-C charging standard. The new tablets come in multiple configurations, including 64, 128, and 256 gigabyte storage options and 4 or 8 gigabytes of RAM. Prices range from $399 to more than $549. The Surface Go is still more expensive than the cheapest iPad, but the Go tablet is compatible with professional features, like the detachable keyboard, that are missing on the entry-level iPad.

The sub-$400 price point is key for Microsoft as it tries to turn its Surface business into a more serious challenger to other computer hardware makers. Cheaper devices can attract students who get comfortable with the technology and spread it to the workplace after they graduate. That strategy has helped Apple, which unveiled a $299 iPad earlier this year for schools. Google has also seen some success with its low-cost Chromebook laptops.