Microsoft is planning low-cost tablets: Report

Bloomberg reports that Microsoft is planning to launch a new line of low-cost Surface tablets in the second half of 2018. The aim would be to compete with lower-cost options form Apple, which dominates the market with its iPad range.

After a previous failed attempt at tapping into the market for low-cost tablets, Microsoft turned its attention to the very high end, with its Surface Pro series. Now, it seems that the Redmond tech giant could be ready to give it another shot, aligning its offer with that of its rival, Apple, with a tablet offer covering a broader range of price points.

To compete with Apple, Microsoft is working on a 10-inch tablet powered by an Intel processor and priced around the $400 mark. No further details are known for the time being. In comparison, the lowest-cost iPad is priced at $329 for a 9.7-inch (WiFi), 32GB model. The current Surface Pro line starts from $799, rising to $2,699 for the top-spec model. Microsoft could also accompany these new low-cost Surface tablets with a set of budget accessories (keyboards, styluses).