Microsoft Pulls $999 Surface Pro 11 & Laptop 7: Price Hike or Sneaky Strategy?
Headline Summary: Microsoft quietly removed the $999 base configuration of its flagship Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7, bumping the starting price to $1,199. Is it a hidden price increase, or a clever marketing move to make the new, smaller Surface PCs look like a better value?
Microsoft has made a subtle but significant change to its Surface lineup. The company has stopped selling the $999 entry-level configuration of its flagship Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 on its own online store. While the price increase isn't attributed to tariffs, it raises questions about Microsoft's strategy and the value proposition of its latest devices. Here's what you need to know.
Loading...
Key Changes:
📌$999 Model Disappears: The original base configuration of the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7, which featured a Snapdragon X Plus processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD, is no longer available directly from Microsoft.
📌Starting Price Jumps to $1,199: The Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 now start at $1,199 on the Microsoft Store.
📌Double the Storage: The new base configuration includes 512GB of SSD storage instead of the original 256GB.
📌Timing Coincides with New Releases: This change coincides with the launch of the smaller and cheaper Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch models, priced at $799 and $899, respectively.
Loading...
Is It a Price Hike in Disguise?
While Microsoft isn't explicitly raising prices across the board, the removal of the $999 configuration effectively increases the entry point for its flagship devices. It's a clever tactic that may leave some customers feeling shortchanged.
The Real Reason: Positioning New Surface Devices
The most likely explanation for this change is to make the new, smaller Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch models seem like a better deal.
Loading...
📌Creating Price Differentiation: By removing the $999 option, Microsoft widens the price gap between the flagship devices and the new models. The price difference is now $400 between the Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Pro 11, and $300 between the Surface Laptop 13-inch and Surface Laptop 7.
📌Avoiding Competition: The $999 flagship Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 were often discounted to as low as $799 during sales, making them incredibly attractive options. By removing this low-price entry point, Microsoft prevents the older flagship devices from undercutting the sales of the new models.
Where to Still Find the $999 Surface Pro 11 & Laptop 7:
The good news is that third-party retailers like Best Buy and Amazon still stock the original $999 configuration, at least for now. If you're looking for the flagship Surface Pro 11 or Surface Laptop 7 at the original price, check those retailers. You may even find them on sale!
Loading...
What This Means for Consumers:
📌If you want the best value: Consider the older Surface Pro 11 or Surface Laptop 7 from a third-party retailer while supplies last.
📌If you want the newest features and smaller form factor: The Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch might be a good fit, but be aware that they are priced higher than the original entry-level flagship models.
📌Compare specs carefully: Make sure to compare the specifications of each model to determine which one best meets your needs and budget.
Loading...
Conclusion:
Microsoft's decision to remove the $999 Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 isn't a straightforward price hike, but a strategic move to position its new, smaller Surface PCs as a more attractive option. Consumers should be aware of this change and shop around to find the best deals on the Surface devices that meet their needs. The availability of the older models at third-party retailers provides an opportunity to snag a powerful device at a more affordable price – for now.