Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Re-Surfacing in Tablet Space This Summer?

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has been playing a fun little game called Catch Up in the tablet market since it launched its Windows 8 operating system on several variations of tablet computers – including its very own hardware debut called the Surface.  The tablet market had been in existence about five years when the Surface was first introduced to the world – thanks to the innovations of Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) and the iPad bringing the market to life – and since then, several other manufacturers have come on board, with Microsoft and the Surface seemingly bringing up the rear.

Shoot, even Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) came out with the PlayBook before Microsoft conceived a tablet!

Anyway, Microsoft Corporation has been having a hard time getting its Surface tablet into wide use in the market, with some of that being blamed on the radical new OS which has caused some level of confusion among some users. But lackluster sales notwithstanding, it seems that Microsoft is now interested in being a little bit earlier to the miniature tablet market, as there is talk swirling that Redmond is about to announce a 7-inch Surface RT to the masses perhaps as early as June, according to a couple of sources.

It is believed that the new tablet, which is being called a second-generation Surface rather than a “mini,” may likely sport a retail price tag of about $250-$300 and will run on a Nvidia Tegra processor and be manufactured by Pegatron Technology.

Image: Microsoft Corporation

Since the numbers for the Surface tablet, both the RT and the Pro versions, have posted rather lackluster numbers so far, and with Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) scheduled to put out its new Nexus 7 tablet sometime this summer, the competition is likely tempering any expectations for this new device in helping Microsoft secure more market share in the tablet space.

Should Microsoft Corporation push forward with this entry-level device, or do you think it should focus its attention on getting its Surface to penetrate the market? Or is Windows 8 a lost cause for consumers? Give us your feedback in the comments section below.