Microsoft Surface Pro review, news: Specs of the 1st-gen Windows Pro tablet is still deemed impressive on many accounts, particularly as it meets up expectations of a desktop/PC substitute. But the device is rumored to be phased out soon. BestBuy initially offered the unit at a steep discount, but has since been selling it again at its standard price.

The discount from Best Buy first started with a $400 discount, PCWorld says that the discount doesn’t seem to have any catch and that the tablets can be purchased either online or in-store. Best Buy is also selling the the original Windows-RT powered Surface entry-level 32GB variant for $280; $70 off its $350 price tag.

According to the tech news site, the Redmond tech giant appears to be clearing out old inventory in the New Year, encouraging buyers to jump up on the new Haswell-powered Surface Pro 2 iteration. Based on PCWorld’s reviews, CNET’s and other major tech publications, the new Microsoft Surface Pro 2 is a step up from its predecessor.

The idea that Microsoft is clearing out inventory is further confirmed by a move by Microsoft to sell the 128GB Surface Pro for $599 as part of a special “holiday deal” with limited quantities available. A recent check on the site and it shows that the Surface Pro is still available for $599. On the main Surface sales page, the available configurations presented are the Surface, Surface 2, and Surface Pro 2.

Best Buy is not promoting its Surface Pro discount as a limited-time special, but PC World earlier reported that there’s no reason to think that the Surface Pro will be around in a few months. This could have been because of the aggressive offers from both Best Buy and Microsoft.

A quick look at the check-out for the Surface Pro shows that the 128GB unit is still available for $599, while the 64GB variant being sold for $499 is sold out.