Microsoft has significantly increased the price of Surface Book models in the UK, citing a continued deterioration of the country’s currency. The company has recently also increased prices for enterprise software in the region.
Just as rumors are swirling about new Surface hardware that Microsoft may be getting ready to unveil, and deals for existing hardware have started popping up, the company has done something unexpected: it has raised prices on a whole range of hardware products. The high-end Surface Book line saw a price increase across the board in the UK of up to £400. As such entry level prices for the 2-in-1 device are now £1449, up from £1,299.
Microsoft confirmed to TechCrunch that this isn’t just accidental or temporary. The company said that following a wider review of the current pricing and currency situation, it decided to increase consumer prices in the UK. A spokesperson explained:
In response to a recent review we are adjusting the British pound prices of some of our hardware and consumer software in order to align to market dynamics.
This isn’t the first time that Microsoft has raised prices following Britain’s decision to leave the EU. Late last year the company increased some enterprise software prices by up to 22%, citing the same currency fluctuations as today. Judging by the way the company phrased their confirmation, we’re also likely to see further price adjustments as the pound sterling continues to decline.
Microsoft is expected to unveil new Surface hardware in the following months and detail upcoming changes to Windows and its other platforms at Build 2017 in May.
Source: Microsoft Store (UK) Via: TechCrunch
Editor"s note: This article was updated after publishing to clarify that Microsoft increased its Surface Book prices by up to £400, not "£150 across the board", as was originally stated.