Despite of what you might have heard from @evleaks today, which is a reliable source for Microsoft information, don’t expect a Surface Mini any time soon. A new report from ZDNet states that is unlikely that the company will be releasing a miniature version of the tablet this summer or in 2014 for that matter.
Previously the company was planning to launch a mini Surface based on ARM chipset last May 20th, during the Surface event in New York City, which ended up being the launch of the new amazing Surface Pro 3. But according to sources, Microsoft pulled the plug at the eleventh hour.
In part was because the touch friendly version of Office “Gemini” isn’t available yet, and Microsoft needs Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook to be part of the experience to differentiate the tablet with the competition and if they want to replace the notepad and pen.
SEE ALSO: Surface mini mockup anticipates how the tablet will look like (image)
How long before Office “Gemini” arrives to Windows? According to rumors, it should be arriving for Spring 2015. It’s strange that we have to wait so long for the touch-first version of Office, considering Apple’s iOS already have one and Office for Android is arriving before the end of 2014.
The same report also states that Microsoft still hasn’t decide if Surface Mini will be a 7- or 8-inch tablet. However, we know that it will run Windows RT, therefore it will run an ARM processor, and if all the information is accurate the device could debut some time in 2015.
Source ZDNet
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].