Tech giant Microsoft has slashed the prices of its Surface 2 tablets by $100, Tech Times reported.

The discount comes right in time for the coming school semester this fall. According to the news site, the reduced prices offer parents and students alike a cheaper alternative for devices which can be used for academic activities.

Based on the new pricing, the Surface 2 32-GB Wi-Fi model now costs $349. At this price, this model is cheaper than Apple's iPad Mini by $50.

The Surface 2's larger version, the 64-GB unit is currently priced at $499. The other 64-GB model that utilizes the LTE feature can now be purchased for $579.

Microsoft's deal for the Surface 2 tablets will run from Aug. 24 until Sept. 27 of this year. It will continue selling the devices during that period until supplies last, according to Engadget.

Aside from preparing for the fall semester, the decrease in price might have been brought about by Microsoft's desire to phase out the Surface 2 tablet just so it could clear the way for a new device.

Since the Surface 2 runs on the Windows RT, Microsoft could be preparing to unleash a new line of tech products with a different operating system, ZDNet speculated. After all, the price reduction was announced after the company entered a partnership with Opera, a software developer from Norway.

As part of the deal, Opera will take over the development of the operating system for Microsoft's mobile division.

Lars Boilsesen, the chief executive of Opera specified that Microsoft will use the Opera Mini as the browser for its future products.

"We have signed a strategic licensing deal with Microsoft," Opera's executive said. "We are basically taking over the browser building department in Nokia."

"This means that Opera Mini will become the default browser for Microsoft's feature phone product lines and the Asha phones product lines."