Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 is the tech giant’s best definition of what a 2-in-1 is, but it maybe a little too expensive for everybody’s taste (and budget). The company has tried to augment the supply gap in the past by creating its RT line of tablets. However, due to its OS-limitations, it didn’t quite meet the expectations of its creators.

Well, it looks like Microsoft is turning a new leaf with the Surface 3. The company’s newest tablet features a new Intel Atom chip and unlike its RT predecessors runs on a full version of Windows.

The machine boasts a 10.8-inch display (3:2 aspect ratio), at least 2GB of RAM and 64GB of on-board storage for the base model. The tablet will also work with the same types of accessories such as the type cover and Surface Pen just like in the Pro version.

In terms of ports, the Surface 3 has a micro USB charging port, a full-size USB port, a microSD card reader and a mini-display port. An LTE version is also in the works that will support nano SIM cards. As with other Surface tablets, the Surface 3 will also be equipped with a kickstand, though it will be a toned down version with only 3 levels of adjustment.

Microsoft is targeting utilitarian consumers such as students and as such will offer the Surface 3 at a very competitive price of $499 once it becomes available next month.

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Microsoft’s “small gathering” event this week all pointed to the direction of the Surface Mini but contrary to people’s expectations the Mini tablet was a no show. Apparently, or at least according to a report by Bloomberg, Microsoft actually planned to unveil the Surface Mini during their event two days ago but company execs decided to pull the plug at the last minute.

According to the report, Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella and EVP Stephen Elop decided to hold back the announcement of the Surface Mini saying that the device didn’t have any special features that differentiated it from other small-sized tablets in the market.

Earlier rumours indicate that the Mini will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset that lead people to believe that the device won’t run on a full version of Windows and instead will have Windows RT.

Having said this, it might have been the right move for Microsoft to withhold the announcement of the Surface Mini. A number of the company’s hardware partners for Windows 8.1 including Acer, Toshiba and Dell to name a few have small-sized tablets with 7- or 8-inch displays that run on the full version of Windows 8.1, so placing a Windows RT-running Surface Mini besides these devices will certainly make it a less attractive option for consumers.

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Back in October of last year, we’ve heard news that Microsoft is looking and currently working on small-sized tablets. However, there wasn’t much meat to the rumour except for some unnamed sources of different websites. But all that may soon change as the company has recently sent out invites for a “small gathering” on May 20 in New York City.

Multiple sources suggest that the Surface Mini tablet will come with a 7.5-inch display with a resolution of 1440 x 1080 pixels and an aspect ratio of 4:3 just like the iPad. The slab is also said to have either a Qualcomm or ARM processor, which may point to the tablet’s possible OS – Windows RT 8.1

Moreover, previous reports suggest the Microsoft might market the Surface Mini as a “consumption-class” device ideal for note taking with its active digitizer that theoretically can support Wacom pens given the correct drivers.

The event is expected to be hosted by the company’s CEO Satya Nadella just like in the unveiling of Office for iPad last March.

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The recent launch of the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 has cemented Microsoft’s dedication to its Surface line of tablets. And it appears that the Redmond company still has bigger plans for the tablet line.

According to a report by GeekWire, the head of the Microsoft Surface team Panos Panay has stated that the company is looking and currently working on tablets with different screen sizes and aspect ratios when the press asked if Microsoft is working on a Surface Mini tablet.

Panay also confirmed that an LTE version of the Surface 2 will soon be heading to AT&T in the US and Vodafone in Europe early next year. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the Surface Pro 2 as it won’t be getting an LTE upgrade next year.

Having said this, it’s very likely that we’ll be seeing more Surface tablet models in the future. And who knows, Microsoft might even offer budget tablets that go with smaller screen sizes.

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The first generation Microsoft Surface tablets isn’t really what you would call the game changer that Microsoft has imagined it to be and yet the Redmond company is still placing its bets on its Surface line of tablets as it released two new models – the Surface 2  and Surface Pro 2 in an event in New York City.

Both the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 have almost identical looks including the magnesium body and form factor from the previous generation.  But in terms of performance and other stuff under the hood, the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 are distinctly different from their predecessors.

For starters, the Surface 2, which replaces the Surface RT now packs a high-resolution 10.6-inch 1080p ClearType display as well as a two-stage kickstand that is said to make the tablet more comfortable to use as a laptop. It also now has an Nvidia Tegra 4 chip over the Tegra 3 on the Surface RT. It also now has a USB 3.0 port and according to Microsoft should run three to four times faster than the original and should last up to 25 percent longer.

The Surface 2 also comes equipped with a 5MP rear snapper and a 3.5MP front-facing, which are both capable of recording 1080p videos. The tablet will run on Windows RT 8.1 and promises improved performance, usability and personalization. Microsoft is also adding 200GB of SkyDrive storage, free for two years.

The Surface Pro 2 on the other hand will replace the original Surface Pro as the flagship tablet of Microsoft. The tablet still comes with a stylus and the same 10.6-inch 1080p display.

Microsoft has equipped the Surface Pro 2 with Intel’s new Haswell processors, which reportedly increases performance by 20% and battery efficiency by a whopping 75%. The tablet will have at least 64GB (up to 512GB) of on-board storage and 4GB of RAM (up to 8GB).

In terms of connectivity, the Surface Pro 2 will have three USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.0 port, a mini Display port, Ethernet, audio in/out, a charging port and the same two-stage kickstand found on the Surface 2.

It will also be compatible with a number of accessories including the improved Microsoft Touch Cover 2 and Type Cover 2, which now have backlit keys, a docking station that transforms the Surface 2 into a full-fledged desktop complete with the ability to connect with an external monitor, Ethernet, speakers and power supply and the Power Cover which increases the tablet’s battery life with its 30-watt built-in battery.

The Microsoft Surface 2 will retail for $449 while the Surface Pro 2 will sell for $899. Both models will be available for pre-order starting tomorrow and will hit store shelves by October 22 in 21 markets.

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After the Surface RT disaster, it seems that Microsoft isn’t about to give up yet as a company representative announced last week that Microsoft will continue on its commitment with the Surface RT Tablet.

The new RT Tablets will reportedly run on new processors from ARM and will launch later this year. Nvidia’s CEO has also confirmed that his company is currently working on the next generation on the Microsoft tablet.

In an interview with Cnet, Nvidia’s CEO Jen-Hsun Huang said that the Surface 2 will have Outlook out of the box, saying that the app is the killer feature on Windows. However, Jen-Hsun Huang didn’t indicate whether Nvidia is working on a Surface RT tablet or a Surface Pro.

To make matters more confusing, reports have also cited that Qualcomm will be supplying the processors for upcoming Windows 8.1 RT devices so an Nvidia-powered RT tablet is really uncertain, especially considering that Intel supplies the processor for the much powerful Surface Pro.

One thing’s for sure though, we’ll be seeing a new Surface RT tablet. And as reports suggest, its launch will be sometime in Q4 2013.

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