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Surface RT promotion: free Touch Cover or Type Cover in the UK

by Mark Tyson on 15 May 2013, 16:00

Tags: Surface

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Microsoft is currently running a promotional offer in the UK, aimed at appealing to would-be buyers of the Surface RT tablet convertible. If you buy one of these ARM-powered computers before the end of May you can get a free Touch Cover or Type Cover; your choice. Also just yesterday Microsoft issued a firmware update for the Surface RT which is said to solve issues with low internal speaker volumes and system stability.

Free Touch Cover or Type Cover

Microsoft’s Surface RT promotional offer started today and will end on 30th June 2013. The offer is available “only at participating retailers,” while stocks last. Notably the free extra cover applies to both the Surface RT standalone and Surface RT bundles. This means that if you buy a Surface RT with a Touch or Type Cover you can choose to get another Cover for free.

Touch Covers are usually £99.99 in the UK. There are three colours available to choose from on the Microsoft UK store; black, white and cyan. Tech news site NeoWin reports that the laser etched Limited Edition Covers are also included in this offer. These “trendy” covers are usually the same price as the Type Cover. The Surface Type Cover, “one of the thinnest mechanical keyboards available,” is an obvious choice as a freebie as it’s usually more expensive and offers better typing comfort and speed according to Microsoft. It’s usually £109.99.

Surface firmware update

Microsoft has recently updated the firmware in the Surface RT to address what users often considered to be an “incredibly quiet speaker”. The update will no doubt be a boon to those who use their Surface for media consumption. The over-the-air update to the UEFI firmware update also “improves system stability”.

The Surface Pro, not yet available in the UK, also got updated with improvements to Wi-Fi connectivity and again, stability. On both systems these updates are found in Windows Updates, under PC settings, accessed via the Settings Charm.

Incidentally, the Surface Pro is expected in the UK soon, it’s scheduled for an end of May launch here in Blighty.

HEXUS Forums :: 7 Comments

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Posted by kingpotnoodle - Wed 15 May 2013 16:45
Now do that with the Pro and we might be talking more of a deal… it's just a shame that imminent processor developments will probably make an x86 tablet obsolete even quicker than usual.
Posted by bobharvey - Wed 15 May 2013 20:34
yawn
Posted by ethel182 - Wed 15 May 2013 21:45
Doesn't seem worth it.
Touchcover appears to be the only option now
Posted by Spud1 - Thu 16 May 2013 07:55
It's a step in the right direction..but not enough yet.

They desperately need to make these into an impulse buy, which means £250 or less WITH the cover.

Not going to happen anytime soon though..they would lose money at that price and I don't expect we'll see a fire sale (yet).
Posted by gagaga - Thu 16 May 2013 09:34
Spud1
It's a step in the right direction..but not enough yet.

They desperately need to make these into an impulse buy, which means £250 or less WITH the cover.

Not going to happen anytime soon though..they would lose money at that price and I don't expect we'll see a fire sale (yet).

Just as you won't get a metal android tablet for £250 you won't get a premium windows one at that price either.

I wouldn't be surprised if you can get a decent 8-9" Windows tablet for £200 by the end of the year though.

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