Microsoft quietly discontinues Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 at $999 to promote new affordable models

In a recent unexpected move, Microsoft has ceased sales of the entry-level $999 configurations of its Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 models, coinciding with the launch of its new lower-priced Surface devices. The Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch models, introduced at starting prices of $799 and $899 respectively, are positioned to offer consumers budget-friendly alternatives in the increasingly competitive laptop and tablet market. This price adjustment appears strategically timed to enhance the perceived value of the new, smaller models by creating a larger pricing gap. Formerly starting at $999, the now-discontinued configurations were equipped with a Snapdragon X Plus processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD storage. The base models of the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 now begin at $1,199, offering double the storage (512GB SSD) from their previous iterations but at a premium price. The discontinuation of the $999 models raises questions about Microsoft’s pricing tactics; while it does not appear to be driven by tariffs or supply chain issues, it could be seen as a deceptive marketing strategy aimed at making newer, cost-effective options stand out more favorably in potential buyers’ minds. Experts suggest that the termination of the earlier low-pricing structure was necessary for Microsoft in order to avoid a stark price comparison that could undermine sales of their latest offerings. The flagship models were historically well-regarded for their affordability during sales events, sometimes dropping to as low as $799, a price point that underscored their competitive advantage. While some might decry this as a sneaky move, the good news remains that third-party retailers might still hold stock of the $999 configurations for a limited duration, providing consumers who are budget-conscious additional options. Aside from market maneuvers, the new Surface Pro 12-inch is receiving favorable initial impressions for its performance and design features. It boasts significant upgrades including a fanless design and improved battery life, making it a promising contender for those seeking a portable computing solution. Vaunted for its Snapdragon X Plus chip, it features robust performance stats particularly in single-core tasks and multitasking capability, suggesting that this new model may outpace some of its predecessors. Notably, the Surface Pro 12 provides solid performance and addresses many criticisms associated with earlier models in terms of manageability and efficiency—making it potentially a strong choice for students and professionals alike who prioritize portability and performance over premium features and higher display quality. Microsoft's recent announcement also highlights plans to integrate richer AI features in Windows 11, coinciding with the lifting of its pricing strategy, aiming to enhance the overall ecosystem surrounding its hardware offerings. Therefore, while the discontinuation of the previous models may initially frustrate some consumers, the market presence of the new devices offers significant alternatives that could redefine user experiences in the 2-in-1 segment.