7-inch Surface on the way

Microsoft is developing a 7-inch Surface tablet that is expected to go into mass production later this year, reports WSJ.

According to ‘people familiar with the company’s plans’, the 7-inch tablets weren’t part of the company’s strategy last year, but Microsoft execs realised they needed a response to the increased popularity in small tablets.

So in an attempt to take on the likes of Google’s Nexus 7 and Apple’s iPad mini, Microsoft has added a 7-inch Surface to its new lineup of tablets.

With IDC reporting that half of tablets shipped in Q4 were smaller than eight inches, its no surprise that Microsoft is keen to shrink down its 10.6-inch flagship tablet.

The news of a possible 7-inch Surface ties in nicely with the fact that Microsoft recently changed its Windows 8 policy regarding screen resolution. The OS now allows for 1024×768 tablet screens along with the original 1366×768 resolution.