Microsoft rejected the mini version of the Surface tablet due to its lack of originality

Microsoft has abandoned plans to release a Surface Mini tablet, which had been rumored in the press. reports this Bloomberg with reference to informed sources.

According to the publication, the decision to abandon the Surface Mini was made by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and the corporation's executive vice president, former head of Nokia, Stephen Elop. In their opinion, the product was not sufficiently different from competitors and could be unpopular.

A mini-tablet powered by Qualcomm processors was in development and was scheduled to be unveiled at a Microsoft event in New York on May 20. But the corporation canceled the demonstration of all Qualcomm-based devices and showed the 12-inch Surface Pro 3 tablet at the presentation, Bloomberg notes.

The 7- or 8-inch Surface Mini was supposed to be a competitor to the iPad Mini, Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire. At the same time, Panos Panay, who is responsible for Surface at Microsoft, during an interview after the presentation mentioned the development of smaller tablets, but did not provide any details on this matter.

At the Surface Pro 3 presentation, Microsoft representatives insisted that their new tablet can replace the owner’s laptop: a full-fledged keyboard is attached to the device, and the screen angle can be adjusted using the built-in stand. In addition, the tablet is offered with a special stylus that allows you to enter information and control the device - previously rumors about such a stylus were also heard when the Surface Mini was mentioned.

Technalysis Research lead analyst Bob O'Donell told CNET that Microsoft's desire to position the Surface closer to a PC may be the reason for abandoning the Mini, which would be exclusively a tablet. In addition, the mini-tablet was supposed to run the Windows RT mobile operating system, which is less popular than the older Windows 8.

Rumors about the release of the Surface Mini circulated in the press until the last moment. They were also fueled by an invitation from Microsoft, which, in the spirit of Apple, invited journalists to a “small meeting.”

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