Microsoft"s new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro will officially launch next week, priced from $999 and $799, respectively. Not everyone has got that kind of money to spend on a new device, but if you"re on the lookout for a more affordable Surface, Microsoft does have some options for those with more modest budgets.
The Microsoft Store is selling Certified Refurbished Surface 3 tablets, priced from $299. That amount will get you the entry-level Wi-Fi device with 2GB of RAM and 64GB of storage (which was originally priced at $499); but for $369, you can get the model with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage (previously $599).
Microsoft briefly sold the $369 refurbished device last month, but its stock was quickly depleted. The company ended production of the Surface 3 last year, and supplies of the refurbished models seem to be limited and sporadic, so if you"re considering a purchase, it may be best to act sooner than later. However, you should bear in mind that the Type Cover keyboard and Surface Pen are sold separately, and purchasing those accessories will push the total price considerably higher.
It might be worth considering newer alternatives from other manufacturers if you"re watching your pennies. For example, the Microsoft Store is also selling the ASUS Transformer Mini from $249, and while its display is lower-resolution than that of the Surface 3, it comes with a keyboard, stylus, and Windows Hello fingerprint sensor at no additional cost.
Source: Microsoft Store