MICROSOFT has slashed prices of its Surface RT tables in Australia by up to 30 per cent, a saving of $170 locally.
The price cuts are part of a global response to lacklustre sales and a concern about the RT's inability to run standard Microsoft Windows programs. The Surface RT instead runs just Windows 8 Metro apps.
Microsoft Australia has confirmed that the 32GB Surface RT without a cover will cost $A389 locally, a saving of $170. The addition of a black touch cover bumps the price to $499. The 64 GB Surface RT will now cost $499 and with a black touch cover, $699 (previously $789).
The price drop prices the Surface RT similarly to Apple's entry-level iPad Mini tablet.
The base model 32GB Surface RT went on sale online in Australia in October last year for $559. It sports a large 10.6 inch display, has front and rear 720p cameras and is well supplied with ports -- there's a full sized USB 2.0 port, an HD video out port, a proprietary accessory port and a micro SD slot for boosting the memory.
