Two-year-old Surface PCs get $300 price hikes as sub-$1,000 models go away

Microsoft is making significant changes to its Surface PC lineup, but unfortunately, these changes come with steep price increases. Consumers looking to purchase Surface devices will now find that the starting prices have jumped substantially, with the cheapest options now exceeding $1,500. Devices that were initially priced at $1,000 just two years ago are now out of reach for many. For instance, the 12-inch Surface Pro tablet, which originally launched at $799, is now priced at $1,049. Similarly, the 13-inch Surface Laptop, once available for $899, now carries a price tag of $1,149, reflecting a $250 increase. Moreover, the higher-end models have not escaped unscathed. The entry-level versions of the Surface Laptop and the 13-inch Surface Pro were initially priced at $999 but are now listed at $1,499 after the discontinuation of their 256GB storage options, marking a $300 increase since last year. According to reports by Windows Central, Microsoft attributes these price hikes to "recent increases in memory and component costs." The ongoing supply chain issues, particularly regarding RAM and storage chips, have been affecting the consumer tech industry throughout the year, causing delays in product launches, reducing inventory levels, and pushing prices higher across the board.