New Delhi, June 24 -- Microsoft is attempting to make its Surface lineup more affordable again, but the company's latest move is already sparking debate among Windows enthusiasts and hardware analysts.

The tech giant has quietly introduced new 8GB RAM variants of its Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch models, reducing entry prices to $849 and $949 respectively. The launch comes after months of criticism over rapidly rising Surface prices that pushed several models well beyond the reach of mainstream consumers.

The decision marks a significant shift in Microsoft's pricing strategy. Earlier this year, price increases across the Surface portfolio pushed many configurations above the $1,000 mark, creating concerns that the brand...