Microsoft Slashes Prices to Try and Get Someone, Anyone to Make Windows Tablets

There is no joy in Redmond:

The Wall Street Journal carried a report on Tuesday that Microsoft has begun offering price breaks to manufacturers in order to jumpstart development of small, touch-enabled laptops. In late February, sources say Microsoft began offering PC makers Windows 8 and Office for $30 for touchscreen devices under 10.8 inches, down from a previous point of about $120. The company is also discounting Windows 8 for touchscreen devices above 10.8 inches, though Office isn’t included in the deal for those units.

Mighty Ballmer has struck out.