A budget Microsoft Surface tablet codenamed Lex might launch this fall

According to various inside sources, Microsoft is finally working on a more affordable Surface slate. For now, there are still many unknown details, but some essentials — including the price — have been revealed. Obviously, the tech giant headquartered in Redmond has not confirmed anything yet.

The next-gen Microsoft Surface tablet is currently codenamed Lex, but it will most likely hit the market under a different name. Even more, the keyboard cover attachments of this Windows slate with USB Type-C connectivity also has a nickname: Gibs. As it usually happens with Microsoft's Surface tablets, this next-gen offering will be available in more versions, some of them offering 4G LTE connectivity.

Although the consumers are not that much into tablets these days, Microsoft will probably target the educational market with this upcoming Surface slate. In this area, Apple has been doing great lately, but Microsoft would come with the major advantage of a more open operating system. The Surface Lex is expected to be the successor of the US$500 Surface 3 in many areas, but with a price tag around US$400. The new type cover should also be cheaper than the current one. The launch date is not official yet, but it would not be surprising to see the new Surface tablet arriving this fall.

Do you think there is still room for a US$400 Microsoft Surface on the market? Would you grab one? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.