September 20, 2011, 12:25 PM —
flickr/Odi Kosmatos
The Samsung tablets (Series 7 Slate) that Microsoft handed out free to developers at the BUILD event last week are showing up on eBay. Over 5,000 devices were given to developers, so if you weren't there but really really want one, check auction sites.
Pricing ranges from $1225 to $2700, at least for those listed so far. While that's high for a tablet, that price seems fair for an unreleased tablet full of hardware improvements to support the Windows 8 Metro operating system development kit. Let's hope the tablets full of Windows 8 tools wind up in good hands.
Finally, a tablet not named iPad that sells for a high price and people are actively trying to buy. Wonder how long this will last?
Don't buy one
It's just a shame that a few of these "developers" just have one intent and that's to get a quick buck. Shallow is as shallow does. And there's no way I'm pay two or three thousand for a tablet. These people are just idiots in my book. The only bigger idiots are the ones who would buy them off of eBay.
Robert Wade on winrumors.com
A fool ... and his money are easily parted.
Ed 11 on theregister.co.uk
I can't help but think that this is kind of giving Microsoft's generosity the middle finger.
Grannyville7989 on winrumors.com
They should be selling discounted Windows 8 tables to MSDN subscribers for all of us to start developing for Windows 8 slates.
Icex on winrumors.com
Where can I get one?
The reason they're paying so much is because it's a dev build of an unreleased OS. This means that businesses and developers can get an insight into the OS, and perhaps an edge on their competitors.
Emin3nce on techspot.com
Heh, and here I was scratching my head, trying to figure out a way of getting that collector's edition without having to mug somebody...!
lawfer on techspot.com
microsoft wants these tablets to be in the hands of developers that will use them. obviously those that are selling it theirs will not use them. plus build is so ungodly expensive to go to that the seller doesn't even break even.
neonspark on winrumors.com
Interesting
Back on topic, MS had to have known this was going to happen, not sure why you want to pay that much for a tablet but if you have the money
aj_the_kidd on techspot.com
I for one welcome our new Apple-business-model Micro$oft. They've managed to find a way to start the meme that their fondleslabs are _even more expensive_ than iPads, and do it via a (sort of) product leak! Great stuff, and nobody needs to get arrested to make it work.
Andy Watt on theregister.com
You sound like a bunch of selfish whiners. This isn't the Apple forums, get over it.
Guest on winrumors.com
What's the under / over for the price of a real tablet, running real Windows 8, in a year or so when it ships? I'm betting $899. Your bet?
