Microsoft Slices $100 Off Surface Pro

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By Pete Pachal2013-08-05 14:52:24 UTC

The Microsoft Surface Pro just got $100 cheaper.

Microsoft slashed $100 off the tablet's price tag, dropping the price of the 64GB version to $799.

The price cut comes just a few weeks after Microsoft tossed the Surface RT — the ARM-based version of the tablet — into the discount bin, reducing its price to $349. Microsoft revealed a few days later that it had lost money on the Surface, taking a $900 million dollar write-down for the device on its latest earnings report.

Unlike the Surface RT, the Surface Pro runs Windows 8 Pro, enabling it to run apps for earlier versions of Windows with overall superior performance. The extra functionality comes at a price beyond just dollars: At 2 pounds, the Pro is somewhat heavier than most tablets and the battery only lasts a meager 4 hours.

Despite these limitations, the Surface Pro generally garnered good reviews when it debuted in February. Powered by a Intel Core i5 processor, the tablet provides one of the best mobile-computing experiences available, especially considering it weighs significantly less than most laptops.

It's telling that the price cut in the Surface Pro isn't as steep as the Surface RT's. The discount is probably more reflective of the tougher competition in the market now that PCs based on Intel's fourth-generation Core chips (a.k.a. "Haswell") are available, rather than Microsoft's lack of confidence in the Surface Pro.

Regardless, starting today, interested buyers can purchase a 64GB Surface Pro directly from Microsoft for $799 and a 128GB version for $899. Accessories, such as the Surface line's famous type cover, are sold separately.

Do you plan on buying a Surface Pro now that it's cheaper? Let us know in the comments.