Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Is a Surface ‘Mini’ Coming Soon?

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is apparently so overwhelmed with the sales numbers for the Surface tablet that it’s working to relax a couple of hardware standards for OEMs to run the Windows 8 operating system. Although, you can certainly bet that when Microsoft relaxes some guidelines, it leads to talk that a new device might be coming from Redmond.

Is it possible that Windows 8 could wind up on some smaller devices? Could Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) be considering a “Surface Mini” to directly compete with the iPad Mini by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)? There has not been any known rumors or evidence of such a thing, but the leap could be natural considering the changes that Microsoft  silently made to its hardware certification guidelines for Win 8. The latest change is interesting in that the guidelines now allow for screens displays of 1,024 by 768 pixels at 32 bits – however, the company said it was not specifically allowing or encouraging low-resolution displays on any current devices.

This seems to simply mean that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has apparently set up Windows 8 to be able to fit on smaller screens, since the only way to meet the new guideline without introducing lower-resolution displays is to have a smaller display. At the very least, if Microsoft isn’t coming with its own smaller Surface, that some OEM may be working on such a device – or maybe even a “phablet” to go up against the Galaxy Note by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Microsoft wrote about the guidelines that this wasn’t about lower-quality screen resolutions. “In fact, we see customers embracing the higher resolution screens that make a great Windows experience. We understand that partners exploring designs for certain markets could find greater design flexibility helpful.”

What do you think? Is Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) paving the way for Windows 8 to get into the lower-priced, smaller tablet or “phablet” market? Give us your feedback in the comments section below.

DISCLOSURE: I own no positions in any stock mentioned.

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