Microsoft Cuts Surface 2 Pricing by $100 Until September 27th

Microsoft today reduced the prices of its Surface 2 tablet line by $100 for a limited time. The ARM-based tablets now start at $349 (32GB Wi-Fi) and top out at $579 (64GB LTE), making them favorably priced vis-à-vis Apple’s iPad, which is expected to receive an update sometime in the fourth quarter.

The Surface 2 was introduced in October 2013 alongside the Intel x86-based Surface Pro 2. Microsoft subsequently retired the Surface Pro 2 in favor of the larger Surface Pro 3 in June, but left the Surface 2 unchanged.

The discount is valid until September 27, 2014, or “while supplies last” and is being honored at several third party retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy. It’s not clear if Microsoft is using the price reduction to clear inventory before a refresh of the product, or if the company plans to quietly retire Surface 2 and its ARM-based Windows RT operating system in order to focus on its more capable Intel-based initiatives.