Microsoft at the end of October is releasing Surface tablets priced as low as the $199 budget-tablets or the same as the $499 market-leading iPad. Pricing wouldn't matter at least for Microsoft's 90,000 full-time employees, who are getting the 10.6-inch tablets for free. Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer said at the company's annual event that the employees will receive a Surface tablet and a new Windows 8 phone to take home plus a choice of a Windows desktop, laptop or ultrabook to use in the office.
What Else You Need To Know
- Ballmer said Microsoft has not yet decided on exact pricing of the Surface but said that it could be in the $300 to $800 range.
Other sources
Pulling an Oprah, again, isn't just one way to improve employee morale, it also ensures everyone's familiar with the new products as they roll out and are ready to tell people about them.- Richard Lawler, engadget
- Phone Scoop
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Microsoft gifts full-time employees with Surface tablets, Windows 8 phones and PCs
Pulling an Oprah, again, isn't just one way to improve employee morale, it also ensures everyone's familiar with the new products as they roll out and are ready to tell people about them.
- Other
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Microsoft hands out Surface tablets, Windows Phone 8 handsets and Windows 8 PCs to workers
This is not the first time that Ballmer has come out all Father Christmas'y, and in 2010 he was handing out free Windows 7 phones to lucky Microsoft staff. The Inquirer (http://s.tt/1nvMB)
- SlashGear
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Microsoft hooks employees up with free Surface tablets and more
Along with the announcement that workers are getting new Surface tablets, Microsoft also announced that it would be accelerating the refresh cycle for the employees work computers moving everyone to Windows 8 PCs made by hardware partners.
- Mashable
- Microsoft to Give New Tablets, Windows Phones and PCs to Employees
- Android Central
- Microsoft handing out Surface tablets, Windows Phones and PCs to employees
- TN
- Microsoft Full Time Employees Get Free Surface Tablet, Windows Phone 8 Devices and PCs
- Geek
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Free Surface tablet, Windows 8 PC, and smartphone for Microsoft employees
One additional slide that leaked out from Ballmer’s presentation read, “I really hope every single person wants a Surface.”
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Microsoft to give all employees free Surface tablets and Windows Phone 8 devices
Microsoft has apparently already begun its upgrade to Windows 8 machines and plans to distribute Surface and Windows Phone 8 devices to employees in the coming weeks.
- Cell Phone Signal
- Microsoft's Surface Tablet Will Be Priced To Compete With The iPad (MSFT)
- Tech Radar
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Microsoft Surface tablet may cost up to $800
We haven't announced pricing (for the Surface). I think we have a very competitive product from the features perspective.
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