Microsoft is tempting students to buy a Surface Pro 4 this week with a new promotion running at its retail stores in the US. The software maker is taking $300 off when students buy a Surface Pro 4 and Xbox One. "So basically a free Xbox One with the purchase of a Surface Pro 4," says Terry Myerson, head of Windows and devices at Microsoft, in an interview with The Verge. The deal goes live today and will run until August 14th.

The timing of Microsoft's deal comes just a week after the company revealed it's ending production of its Surface 3 devices by the end of the year. Microsoft originally aimed the Surface 3 at students looking for a cheaper version of its popular Surface Pro devices, and it's not clear whether a successor will ever arrive now. Most rumors have suggested Microsoft will focus on its Surface Pro and Surface Book devices with a refresh planned next year. Microsoft has typically launched its Surface Pro devices in time for the fall.

I asked Myerson if there were any plans for a Windows 10 October update, like there are for the Xbox One, that would typically accompany new devices. "Increasingly as we go out into the fall, it's a natural time for us to focus on new devices from our partners and from Microsoft," explains Myerson. "The Xbox One S will be shipping, but also many new devices will be available from HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, Asus, Microsoft, and others." That sounds like a hint that new Microsoft devices could be launching this year, but if anything it could be a refresh of Microsoft's Band wearable or the rumoured Xbox TV devices that didn't arrive at E3. "The fall time frame is really just a great time frame to celebrate new devices."

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 review