Microsoft dropped Surface Mini announcement at the last hour

Yesterday Microsoft announced the highly anticipated Surface 3 Pro tablet, but the much-rumoured Surface Mini, a smaller 8in Windows RT version of the device, was surprisingly absent from its press conference.

According to Bloomberg, its absence could be the result of a last minute decision by CEO Satya Nadella and vice president of Devices and Services Stephen Elop to drop the device because “it wasn’t different enough from rivals and probably wouldn’t be a hit”.

The Surface Mini was supposedly based on a Qualcomm ARM processor and had been scheduled to be unveiled yesterday, but Microsoft removed all references to Surface devices based on Qualcomm’s processors and instead focused solely on the Intel-based Surface Pro 3.

In an interview after the announcement, Bloomberg reported that Panos Panay, VP of Surface Computing, said that Microsoft was still working on smaller versions of its Surface device. When prompted to reveal further details about future products, Panay declined to comment.

While this could be a sign that the Surface Mini is still in development, Microsoft’s sudden decision to drop the device yesterday could also signal a lack of confidence in its Windows RT operating system.

The Surface Pro 3, on the other hand, runs the full version of Windows 8.1 and is available to pre-order in the US from today. With a large 12in 2,560×1,440 resolution screen, it’s been designed to completely replace your current laptop. It’s due to launch in the UK at the end of August.