Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): A Surface RT Tablet for How Much?

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is known for making its devices and software affordable for students, especially those college students too broke to buy textbooks without a student loan but can afford kegs of beer and a daily Starbucks before their 8 o’clock class. But you know, Microsoft does go out of its way to help students and teachers by providing their devices and services at reduced rates, that it might make sense for those of us who have been out of school for a few years to consider going back. After all, wouldn’t you pursue a master’s degree in ancient Roman art history if it means getting Microsoft Office for at least half off retail?

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), which has already given away 10,000 Surface RT tablets to teachers who attended a convention in San Antonio a few weeks back, now is looking to be desperately trying to either ramp up sales of the device or clearing out inventory for an updated version. Either way it could be the right move considering the tablet had not sold very well in the very competitive space since it hit store shelves last fall. But now, it seems that, under the guise of reaching out to students, Microsoft is now looking to put Surface RT devices in the hands of students for a rock-bottom price.

The latest special offer begins next Monday, June 24, and it features all students from K-12 up through college can get a Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Surface RT tablet for $199 for the basic 32-gigabyte model and $249 with the keyboard cover attached. the regular retail price for this device is $499 or $599 with the cover. The offer runs through late August and is available in 25 countries through Microsoft directly – the U.S., Mexico and Canada are included in the list of countries with this offer, along with Australia, Russia, Japan and China. So far we have not seen information about a minimum order size or a limit on the numbers an individual may buy.

What do you think? Is Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) really just being benevolent to students, or is this an inventory clearance for the device? What are your thoughts about the Surface in general? Is there good reason for weak sales? Give us your feedback in the comments section below.

DISCLOSURE: None