Microsoft has decided to offer education discounts on its ARM-based Surface RT tablet for schools and universities during a two-month, limited-time offer. Surface devices will be sold to educational institutions at low prices. The restriction is that only the 32 gigabyte, Windows RT-based model is part of the program.
The “Microsoft Surface for education limited-time offer” will be available between June 17 and August 31, 2013. Under the program, here are the prices schools will be offered:
– Surface RT (32GB) without keyboard – $199 USD (Estimated Retail Price is $499)
– Surface RT (32GB) with Touch Keyboard Cover – $249 USD (Estimated Retail Price is $599)
– Surface RT (32GB) with Type Keyboard Cover – $289 USD (Estimated Retail Price is $629)
The offer is available direct from Microsoft to K12 and higher education institutions. The following countries are where the program is active:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China (via Digital China), Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States.
“It’s important Microsoft does its part to help get devices into the hands of educators that help prepare today’s students with skills modern businesses demand,” a Microsoft spokeswoman said in a statement. Microsoft is expected to share more details during next week’s International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) 2013 conference, as well as online in its Education Newsroom.
There is no minimum order requirement. Microsoft is recommending that schools get their orders in early as it is a “while supplies last” kind of deal and schools are instructed to send to SurfaceEDU@microsoft.com. “You will get an email back confirming the order and details on fulfillment, ” according to Microsoft Officials.
