Microsoft came out with guns blazing about their new Windows 8 and Surface RT tablet. This 10.6-incher launched a couple weeks back and while we patiently wait for some sort of sales numbers, Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s CEO, has gone on record with a French paper called Le Parisienan and announced that initial sales have been “modest,” but highlighted that a “higher-end” and “unique” version of the Surface will be coming out soon – Surface Pro running Windows 8 – that will probably boost numbers.
The Surface RT, which has a base price of $519, faces stiff competition with the other tablets on the market, namely the iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, BlackBerry PlayBook and Google’s Nexus 7. When the Surfaced launched in Canada there was a lineup of about 200 people at the Toronto Eaton Centre to buy one. Read our full review of the Surface RT here.
Update: It seems that Ballmer’s quote on “modest” sales was taken way out of context. A statement has been released that says sales are not modest, but how Microsoft is going to market and their supply. Ballmer now says Surface “reception” of the Surface has been “fantastic.” Full statement below:
“When asked about Surface, Steve’s use of the term “modest” was in relation to the company’s approach in ramping up supply and distribution of Surface with Windows RT, which has only been available via our online store and certain Microsoft retail stores in the U.S. While our approach has been modest, Steve notes the reception to the device has been “fantastic” which is why he also stated that “soon, it will be available in more countries and in more stores.”
Source: Le Parisien
Via: Engadget & PocketNow
