Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) might be planning to show off a third version of its Surface Pro Windows-powered computer / tablet at a special event next week. The event is confirmed, and there are possibilities that the company could unveil a smaller version of the Surface called the “Surface Mini” as well, along with numerous Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC)-based devices, according to a report from The Verge.
Blow for Nividia
The news is based on an article published by Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) that details the support provided to Windows 8.1 for the “Surface Pro 3 camera.” Earlier, CNET also reported that the software giant will be launching an Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC)-based device in addition to the expected QUALCOMM, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM)-based Surface Mini.
News regarding the upcoming event was revealed last week by Bloomberg, which reported that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s Surface Mini will be based on QUALCOMM, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM)’s processor. The report also said that the software giant could come up with a Surface tablet powered by Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC)’s processor. If the rumors regarding the Surface Pro 3 on an Intel chip are true, it would be a huge blow to NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA), which has been producing processors for the original Surface and Surface 2 tablets.
In October last year, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) launched the Surface Pro 2, so a new version just seven months after does raise questions, but considering the fact that the original Surface Pro launched in February 2013, the move does make sense.
Microsoft faces tough competition
For the latest reported quarter, revenue from Surface tablets increased year-over-year, but still the number of devices sold is not very impressive. The sale in no way gets even close to iPad sales, but Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is making efforts to boost revenues from the segment.
Two years ago, the first Surface tablet made its debut but was unable to garner enough popularity due to stiff competition from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iPad and iPad Mini tablet devices. Apart from Apple, devices from other manufacturers like Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) and Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) have also been giving a tough fight to the Surface. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s Surface series faces competition from rival devices like Samsung’s Galaxy Tab series, Amazon’s Kindle and Google’s Nexus 7. Also there have been talks that Google will debut its next-gen tablet, the Nexus 8, by September this year.
