Microsoft Surface for Windows RT to launch Oct. 26 for just $199?

When Microsoft revealed Surface to the world, we were pretty impressed. It looked like a highly-capable platform that, if it lived up to its promises, would be a major player in the tablet space. However, we also know that the iPad rules the roost. In fact, most consumers don't want tablets so much as they want iPads. What would Microsoft do with Surface to gain attention as a solid differentiator? It looks like it's gonna compete on price.

Engadget is reporting that the Microsoft Surface for Windows RT tablet is set to launch on October 26th for just $199. $199! This is a 10.6-inch tablet, almost a full inch larger than the iPad display, selling at $300 less than Apple's iconic offering. $199 puts the Surface RT in line with the 7-inch Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 tablets, and likely blows both of them out of the water in terms of performance and usability.

A $199 Surface tablet would do wonders for getting Windows 8 out there in a major way, and could bring a cool factor to Microsoft that it's been missing for a decade (save for the Xbox.) Of course, we'll have more on this as we get it.

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