Related Articles
Microsoft’s Surface Hub videoconferencing systems will be pricier and later than originally announced.
In August, Microsoft said to expect the 55-inch Surface Hub model to cost $6,999 and the 84-inch model to touch $19,999. On Tuesday, company execs said in an e-mailed statement that they are increasing the prices to $8,999 and $21,999, respectively.
Customers who already placed orders will still get the original preorder prices, the company added.
The Surface Hub systems, which run a custom version of Windows 10, are preassembled, customized multi-touch, digital-ink-enabled displays. Both Surface Hub models include custom-designed versions of OneNote, Skype for Business and Microsoft’s Office apps. They also will be able to run Universal Windows apps available from the unified Windows Store. Two styluses and a wireless keyboard are included.
Microsoft officials are not saying exactly why they bumped up the prices. The company is “finalizing our manufacturing plan with a view towards delivering the best product experience,” Microsoft said. “After evaluating the market opportunity and considering the unique collaboration scenarios Surface Hub offers, we believe these are the right prices to drive the business and the category forward.”
Microsoft officials had also said in August that Surface Hubs would ship starting January 1. That was a delay from the original target availability date of September 1, 2015.
“We are still on track to ship the first Surface Hub devices to customers earlier next year,” the company said. According to a company rep, the devices will begin shipping in the first quarter.
Microsoft unveiled its Surface Hub systems in January 2015. Surface Hub is Microsoft’s successor to its large-screen Perceptive Pixel displays.
This story originally posted as “Microsoft to hike Surface Hub pricing ahead of early 2016 release” on ZDNet.
