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Microsoft Discounts Surface RT Tablets for Education

Microsoft Surface RT
Microsoft Surface RT

Microsoft is cutting more than half the price off its Surface RT tablet for schools, colleges, and universities. Microsoft announced the temporary discount program at the ISTE 2013 conference taking place this week in San Antonio, TX, where the company is also giving away 10,000 of the tablets for free.

Through Aug. 31, both K-12 schools and higher education institutions can purchase unlimited quantities of the Surface RT 32 GB model for $199. (That device currently retails for $499.)

The Surface RT features a 10.6-inch screen (1,366 x 768 pixels) and is powered by a quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor. It includes 2 GB RAM and 32 GB of base storage but also includes a micro SDXC card slot for additional storage. It runs on Windows RT, a special version of Windows 8 designed specifically for ARM processors like the Tegra 3.

Other features include:

  • Front and rear 720p cameras;
  • 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi;
  • Bluetooth 4.0;
  • Dual microphones;
  • Stereo speakers;
  • Full-size USB port;
  • Headphone jack; and
  • HD video out.

The Surface RT measures 10.81" x 6.77" x 0.37" and weighs in at 1.5 pounds.

The $199 education price is for the base model only. It will run $249 for the version with the Touch Cover and $289 for the tablet plus the Type Cover.

The Surface RT discount program is effective immediately. Further details can be found on Microsoft's education portal or in the Microsoft in Education blog.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


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