The writing has been on the wall for months. It’s just gotten a little larger. Microsoft has suddenly inflated the pricing for its Surface range overseas, with increases possible for the range in South Africa (which is currently on a deep discount — just saying).
The affected range includes current Surface Pro and Surface Laptop 7 devices, some of which are on sale in this country. The jump, as spotted by WindowsCentral, isn’t insubstantial either. The only good news for locals is that these pricing changes are, for the moment, on the Microsoft.com store as opposed to regular retail.
Microsoft scratches the Surface
Various models of the Surface Pro and Laptop — those released in 2024 and 2025 — have seen prices skyrocket. The lowest increase compared to 2025 costs is R1,650 ($100). When accounting for 2024 launch pricing for some models, the number on the till slip has gone up by as much as R8,200 ($500).
According to Microsoft, “Due to recent increases in memory and component costs, Surface is updating pricing on Microsoft.com for its current‑generation hardware portfolio. We remain committed to delivering value to customers and partners while upholding our standards for quality and innovation.”
The cause is fairly well spelt out. The ongoing RAM shortage has driven expenses up for everyone, with brands like Oppo and Sony among those introducing changes in South Africa. The Surface increase isn’t likely to trickle through to SA’s market in a hurry, unless retailers run out of existing stock. Increases like these do raise the risk of device delays and downgrades as brands attempt to keep expenses under control.
