<p>Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is getting ready to release its new Surface tablet next week, but concerns have already been expressed about competing products, pricing and licensing issues that could torpedo the launch.</p><p>First, Microsoft's Surface is plunging into the tablet market with new, low priced offerings from Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), as well as Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) planned launch of the iPad Mini, which is expected to be cheaper than the granddaddy of all tablets, the iPad.</p><p>Microsoft faces a pricing dilemma, noted ThinkEquity analyst Yun Kim. If it prices the Surface too high, this could lower sales, but if prices it too low, this could hurt revenue, Kim wrote in a report quoted by eWeek.</p><p>Microsoft briefly posted the pricing of the Surface tablet running Windows RT, ranging from $499 to $699, on its online store on Tuesday, but then pulled the prices, according to a report by Computerworld. Microsoft declined to explain why the prices were taken off the online store. This range would put the Surface tablet in the same pricing ballpark as the iPad, the most expensive tablet option out there.</p><p><a href="http://www.fiercemobileit.com/story/microsofts-surface-set-take-dive/2012-10-17">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://betanews.com/2012/10/16/microsofts-surface-town-hall-meeting-all-the-questions-all-the-answers/">Microsoft&#039;s Surface town hall meeting: All the questions, All the answers</a> (BetaNews)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dDqqo6_FvETZGmMW304iLybmWxGgM&ned=us">2,721 additional articles.</a></p>