Microsoft partners poised for Surface 2 action
Resellers hopeful that second iteration of Microsoft's tablet will be unveiled at WPC and will be sold through the channel
Speculation is building that Microsoft will break its silence on its Surface channel strategy next month by unveiling an updated version of its tablet that will be sold through partners.
Microsoft remained typically silent on the matter when contacted by CRN, but reports of a Surface 2 – which is expected to include Intel's new Haswell chip and enhanced internet connectivity – have been circulating recently.
Earlier this week, the software giant's head of partners Jon Roskill announced that attendees of its Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC), which is set to be held in Houston next month, will be able to buy its RT and Pro devices for a heavily discounted price – $99 and $399 respectively – as a sign of the vendor's commitment to its partners. The vendor has also recently offered its RT model to schools and universities at heavily discounted prices.
Richard Gibbons, software manager at Microsoft partner Bechtle, reckons the move suggests Microsoft is clearing out stock of the first-generation devices in preparation for Surface 2, which he suspects will be sold through the channel.
"I think [Surface 2] running Intel's new Haswell chips will launch in July and will be available through the channel – [it] will be the big announcement at WPC. I think it will ship with Windows 8 but of course be updateable to 8.1 when it is released," he said.
"My explanation for them not releasing [Surface Pro and RT] to the channel is that they knew the Surface 2 was coming, and they did not want the channel to get stuck with loads of old stock of the original Surface."
Microsoft launched its consumer-focused RT tablet in the run up to Christmas last year, and sold it through its online store and in the UK, at John Lewis stores. Its professional-focused Surface Pro launched in the UK in March, but as yet, the vendor has remained silent on whether the channel will ever get to sell the tablets – despite many VARs bursting to know either way.