Microsoft's Big Back-To-School Sale Has Deals On Surface Duo, Xbox Controllers, Razer Blade 17

The Surface Duo is Microsoft back at its most fun and experimental, taking the idea of a foldable smartphone and turning it into a sort of pocket-sized electronic sandwich instead. Utilizing a unique hinge, the Duo opens like a book with a dual-screen experience unique to just a handful of other devices. It's a curious phone, but one that was very expensive at launch. Starting at $650 today, however, it's a less frightening proposition if you're looking for a truly unique smartphone experience.

If you don't require the raw horsepower of the Surface Pro but need Windows on the go, the Surface Go 2 might be the perfect tablet for you. This bundle offers the easiest way to get everything you need in one purchase, with discounts on the tablet itself, the keyboard type cover, and optional Microsoft 365 software. The cheapest bundle, at just $550, offers the Surface Go 2 with the Intel Pentium 4425Y processor as well as a regular, non-Alcantara type cover. You can mix and match more powerful Surface Go 2's with more luxurious type covers and optional Microsoft software and still save across the range, so this is a great time to take the plunge if you've been waiting for it.

Much like the Surface Go 2, the Surface Laptop Go strikes that balance of price and performance for users who just need a sleek, reliable laptop to get simple tasks done. You can save up to $197 today on select models, with the Intel Core i5 model (with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage) coming in at just over $720 with Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Complete included. Even for light use, that might not be enough power to get things done, which makes the Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage option a great deal at just over $970.

For real power users, you can save up to $800 on Razer's renowned Blade 17 laptop at Microsoft today. This model offers an Intel Core i9 (9th-generation), 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The display is only 1080p, but at 17.3 inches and with a high refresh rate, you'll be able to let the included RTX 2070 sing with most modern titles. This is also perfect for intense workloads such as video editing or programming, so at just $2,400, you're getting a lot of power in a thin, elegant body.

The latest iteration of the Xbox controller is slightly smaller, has a grippy, ergonomic texture on the back, and adds a highly-requested share button for capturing screenshots and video clips. They also come in a variety of colors, from the traditional black and white designs to the more eye-catching Pulse Red, Shock Blue, and Electric Volt colors. The good news is that all of them are on sale at Microsoft's store, where you can grab a new controller for your Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, or PC for $5 to $10 off. The Carbon Black model is available for $50. Amazon is price-matching this too, though stock there is limited.