Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)’s Surface Pro Experiences Massive Demand Or Planned Scarcity?

However, there are some issues with the Pro. It weighs 2 pounds and is heavier than the usual tablets. It is about 40% heavier and thicker than the iPad. Even in terms of the battery, the Pro gives just over half the battery life of the iPad. Moreover, it is highly priced at $899-$999 which could be a big negative point for many buyers who may not be ready to shed such a huge amount.

Though there are some added features that the Pro offers, it may not be feasible for price sensitive customers. These customers would rather buy a 128GB version of iPad for $799 than go for the Surface at $999. More cost conscious buyers could also purchase Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s Nexus 10, which targets the same market as the Surface Pro and is highly appreciated for its excellent display clarity. The Nexus 10 base version of 16GB sells for as low as $399 against the high priced Surface Pro. It competes with the iPad 4 and is one of the best Non-Apple tablets. It may not be directly competing with the Pro, but it has its own features that could lure customers. Given the price, the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean powered device with 10.1 inch display has brilliant specifications which include 2GB RAM, whopping resolution of 2560 x 1600, and a 5 megapixel rear camera. Even Nexus 7, which runs the latest Android version Jelly Bean and offers the Google Now service, is a great device to buy at a reasonable price. As per mobile industry analysts, the company has sold about 4.6 million units of Nexus 7 in 2012. Both the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 are selling well.

Concluding thoughts
The tablet market is getting extremely interesting with rising competition. The software giant’s Surface Pro would take some time to seep into the market, particularly at its high price. At present Google is going to be a reasonable but great alternative to both Apple and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) tablets. In all this it would be interesting to see if Microsoft makes a tough contender to fight Apple’s premium product and combat Google’s reasonable offering.

The article Microsoft’s Surface Pro Experiences Massive Demand Or Planned Scarcity? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Rajesh Marwah.

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