Microsoft launches Surface RT discount for schools

That's one way to get some RT units out there, hopefully it doesn't backfire on them. If they actually meet the expectations of those that end up using them it will be good for Microsoft and the schools. Otherwise it'll just end up being more bad press and doom and gloom.

man, I have to see if I can swing one of these... I was going to get the Surface Pro with Windows 8 (if they update it to Haswell). but at $250, Surface RT would be pretty cool! a full Office suite (and remember, Outlook for Windows RT is arriving when Windows 8.1 is released). ability to hook up a printer, 360 controller, etc.

sure, no traditional Windows software. but at $250... man...

Good for MSFT. This one of the same ways Apple got their foot in the door in their early days -- inexpensive purchase by schools. Students get use to them and often continue to use the product after they graduate.

They should expand it

rmeigs said:

Good for MSFT. This one of the same ways Apple got their foot in the door in their early days -- inexpensive purchase by schools. Students get use to them and often continue to use the product after they graduate.

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Given the price of Android tablets continues to drop, they would do well to setup these prices to the general public as well for 30 days, say in July and call it the Independence month sale. For 199 I would buy one. FYI, you don't have to have the keyboard, the RT has a USB slot and a standard keyboard will work on it, and it's easier to use.

Microsoft needs to do something to kick start Windows 8 apps and the Surface. To your point, Apple already does what Microsoft is doing, and frankly has been in the schools for decades, once again Microsoft is trying to crack into a market where they are not the first ones in. Glad to see they are being aggressive though. I hope they continue to be.

Update No. 2: It turns out the information is, indeed, valid. But the deal won't be live until June 24, a spokesperson said.
The official statement: "Yes, it’s true. It’s important Microsoft does its part to help get devices into the hands of educators that help prepare today’s students with skills modern businesses demand. We will be discussing this more in greater detail on June 24, both from the ISTE showroom floor and on our Education Newsroom. Please join us then!"

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Microsoft launches Surface RT discount for schools | ZDNet

But there's an even bigger potential problem for the sale working -- a shortage of great apps. The iPad is chockfull of great apps, including many for education. There are far fewer for the RT-based Surface.

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With 4 million unsold Surface tablets, Microsoft slashes prices for schools | Computerworld Blogs

With over 4 million on hand it is time for a Sale.

dirtyvu said:

man, I have to see if I can swing one of these... I was going to get the Surface Pro with Windows 8 (if they update it to Haswell). but at $250, Surface RT would be pretty cool! a full Office suite (and remember, Outlook for Windows RT is arriving when Windows 8.1 is released). ability to hook up a printer, 360 controller, etc.

sure, no traditional Windows software. but at $250... man...

Click to expand...

I've used an RT device before. Let me tell you, the experience was very satisfying. The only reason I returned the device and bought a full windows 8 device was because of the lack of support for peripherals from manufacturers. That and the fact that even people who work for MS couldn't tell the difference between RT and 8.

Long story short, this is what happened. Needed to print something from my RT device. Plugged it into my printer and couldn't find a driver for it. Called Samsung and asked them if they had a driver for an RT device. They gave me a link to the driver for windows 8. I politely reminded the tech guy that I had an RT device not a windows 8. That guy said very confidently that RT and 8 were the same thing so the exe file from that link will work for my device.

Was a little frustrated, so I asked to speak to another tech support rep. I explained to the second guy that I had an RT device and I needed the driver for the Samsung printer. He again linked me to the windows 8 driver page. Again, I explained to this guy that RT was not the same as 8. He said that he was sorry, but I was wrong and that RT and 8 were the same thing and so the exe file should work for both systems.

I was beyond frustrated, so I politely thanked them and hung up. I then sent an email to MS tech support regarding the issue. Got a prompt reply from an MS tech support rep. The guy linked me to a windows 8 driver for the printer. I replied reminding him that I had an RT device. I got a reply from him telling me RT and 8 were the same so the exe file I could download from that page should work for my device.




This was about 4 months ago. Hopefully, MS and Samsung has trained their people better. If 2 Samsung and 1 MS tech guys insisted that an exe file compiled for 8 would also run on RT, then you know that RT is dead in the water. It would never get the necessary support from manufacturers. It wouldn't even get the proper support from MS itself, since even MS tech support people couldn't even tell the difference between 8 and RT.

Like I said before, MS really really need to get the message out there of what RT is. I'm sick and tired of people, particularly those who work in the tech industry, who keep telling me RT and 8 were the same thing. I'm a structure engineer, not an idiot.

I've only played with Windows RT at the store and have multiple Win8 machines at home. If you buy something for Windows 8, are you automatically entitled to the Windows RT version? It would suck if I'd have to buy it again.

I'm wondering if this is clearing out supply for the next gen Surface RT machine since Tegra 3 is getting a bit long in the tooth. I no doubt believe that a thinner Haswell Surface Pro is coming. But I doubt even a thinner Surface Win8 machine can match the svelte Surface RT. eh, at $250-290, it's cheap enough to be a "for fun" device.