Microsoft launched a new Surface computer for $4299

At Wednesday's press conference, Microsoft previewed a number of Surface Pro tablets, Surface Laptop models and the Surface Studio 2+ desktop computer.

The Surface Studio 2+ is priced at $4,299. Its preceding model, the Surface Studio 2, launched three years earlier, faced critical comments for having an initial cost of $3,499. In an interview with CNN Business, the corporation noted this year's price surge is due to several considerably enhanced characteristics, i.e. a new processor, a 1TB SSD, as well as a better 1080p camera option.

Considering other tech giants that have launched the latest products these months, Microsoft is also coping with a tough economic environment, and, in particular, soaring inflation and impending recession concerns. These factors may hinder customers in their spending habits for device upgrades, especially with three- or even four-figure sums.

In fact, Microsoft launched its flagship Surface Pro 9 tablet targeted at a laptop substitution. The Surface Pro 9 is presented in 4 colors, with prices starting at $999. 

Besides, the corporation unveiled an update for its Surface Laptop 5 ultra-portable laptop. It costs from $999 for the 13.5-inch version and $1,299 for the 15-inch one. Pre-orders are likely to be announced Wednesday, making their way to the shelves in late October. 

As David McQueen, an analyst at ABI Research, said the company’s devices account for 3% to 5% of the tablet market. Alternatively, Microsoft’s bulk of the revenues goes from its OC’s product types and related apps, along with cloud services. 

“The corporation is capable of staying in the hardware sector thanks to the revenues received from these tools,” McQueen noted. This approach follows closely Google's, whose Pixel smartphone is still a niche device, while acting as a method to distinguish its OC.