Want a 10-Inch Microsoft Surface for $400? The Netbook Is Back?

It’s one of these brands that keeps reinventing itself. Or rather, simply expanding its definition. Remember when the Microsoft Surface was this $10,000 touchscreen hub designed for casinos and entertainment venues? Then, we got the Surface 2-in-1 laptops, the Surface Studio, and now it looks like we’re getting a smaller 10-inch Microsoft Surface tablet too. And it’ll be cheaper to boot.

It was just last week that we had heard more about the Microsoft Andromeda project, which appears to be some hybrid between the UMPC of old and the oft-rumored Microsoft Surface Phone. And even though we thought that the idea of a Surface Mini died four years ago, it has apparently risen from the ashes with renewed fervor.

As it turns out, a 10-inch Microsoft Surface tablet has cleared FCC certification. This clearly indicates that the smaller Surface is an actual product and Microsoft is actively working on it, at least enough to pursue FCC certification.

Roland Quandt shared some info on Twitter about the device, indicating it has an Intel-based WiFi/BT module, plus the same 241W charger from the Surface Pro 4. This was gleaned from an article on WinFuture on the subject.

From what we can see, the 10-inch Microsoft Surface will ship with full blown Windows 10 pre-installed, rather than the Windows 10 S we see on the Surface Laptop. We’re also hearing that this tablet will retail around the $400 price range, and it’ll be accompanied by a more affordable Type Cover too. With a 10-inch screen and a $400 price point, this Surface Mini really sounds like the second coming of the netbook, don’t you think?