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Ballmer: Surface RT sales have a modest start
Microsoft's marketing Guru Steve Ballmer has stated that sales of the Windows RT based Surface tablet are off to a "modest start". He didn't share any other precise details though. After the CEO said he expected Windows Phone 8 volumes to “ramp up quickly” Steve Ballmer told Le Parisien that Surface sales have been off to a “modest” start, without further specifics. However, Steve Ballmer took this opportunity to talk about a “higher-end” version of the product (Surface Pro running Windows 8) packing a higher-resolution screen and powered by a new Intel processor.
The Surface running Windows RT is available for purchase by all those that want to experience Microsoft’s latest operating system on a tablet (powered by an ARM processor, since this particular OS is tailored for the slower processors). We haven’t seen official numbers regarding the sales but CEO Steve Ballmer hints that they are “modest”.
After the CEO said he expected Windows Phone 8 volumes to “ramp up quickly” Steve Ballmer told Le Parisien that Surface sales have been off to a “modest” start, without further specifics. However, Steve Ballmer took this opportunity to talk about a “higher-end” version of the product (Surface Pro running Windows 8) packing a higher-resolution screen and powered by a new Intel processor.
Source: Le Parisien
Elder III
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Posts: 3728
Joined: 2010-05-16
#4452796 Posted on: 11/12/2012 07:07 PM
Priced too high by at least 30% imo. At the current price you could buy a decent tablet and a netbook and have the better experience of both.
Priced too high by at least 30% imo. At the current price you could buy a decent tablet and a netbook and have the better experience of both.
Tat3
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Senior Member
Posts: 11739
Joined: 2006-11-30
#4452804 Posted on: 11/12/2012 07:10 PM
Pro version sounds great, but for me the current versions are expensive so that is not an option, unfortunately.
BTW, this part is twice in that article
Pro version sounds great, but for me the current versions are expensive so that is not an option, unfortunately.
BTW, this part is twice in that article
After the CEO said he expected Windows Phone 8 volumes to “ramp up quickly” Steve Ballmer told Le Parisien that Surface sales have been off to a “modest” start, without further specifics. However, Steve Ballmer took this opportunity to talk about a “higher-end” version of the product (Surface Pro running Windows 
packing a higher-resolution screen and powered by a new Intel processor.
packing a higher-resolution screen and powered by a new Intel processor.
IPlayNaked
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Posts: 6559
Joined: 2009-10-12
Senior Member
Posts: 6559
Joined: 2009-10-12
#4452838 Posted on: 11/12/2012 07:55 PM
No, you couldn't. Maybe used tablets and netbooks? Or a 7 inch tablet, and a horrible netbook? But not a decent version.
Anyway, the entire concept of this thing is that you don't HAVE to buy two different things. The idea is that it is a tablet that you can set up and do work on much, much more easily than Apple/Android is capable of.
Most USB devices work, when plugged into a surface tablet. You can't say the same for any other current tablet, if you can even plug anything into them at all.
Many printer drivers are included with surface RT. Most people on other platforms wouldn't even know how to print from them, nevermind compatibility.
Combine those features with built in office and an option keyboard cover (which has pretty decent reviews) and you've got a solution to a problem quite a few people, especially in the business world, have had for a while.
Anyway, the tablet has been, for a while now, cannibalizing most of the netbook market, while dropping some of the functionality netbook users enjoyed. Surface RT aims to essentially completely bring together the two, with all the functionality of both.
Priced too high by at least 30% imo. At the current price you could buy a decent tablet and a netbook and have the better experience of both.
No, you couldn't. Maybe used tablets and netbooks? Or a 7 inch tablet, and a horrible netbook? But not a decent version.
Anyway, the entire concept of this thing is that you don't HAVE to buy two different things. The idea is that it is a tablet that you can set up and do work on much, much more easily than Apple/Android is capable of.
Most USB devices work, when plugged into a surface tablet. You can't say the same for any other current tablet, if you can even plug anything into them at all.
Many printer drivers are included with surface RT. Most people on other platforms wouldn't even know how to print from them, nevermind compatibility.
Combine those features with built in office and an option keyboard cover (which has pretty decent reviews) and you've got a solution to a problem quite a few people, especially in the business world, have had for a while.
Anyway, the tablet has been, for a while now, cannibalizing most of the netbook market, while dropping some of the functionality netbook users enjoyed. Surface RT aims to essentially completely bring together the two, with all the functionality of both.
thatguy91
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Joined: 2010-08-27
Senior Member
Posts: 6643
Joined: 2010-08-27
#4452840 Posted on: 11/12/2012 07:57 PM
The real reason for them not selling well is people have tried Windows 8 on desktop/laptops, and it put them right off!
The real reason for them not selling well is people have tried Windows 8 on desktop/laptops, and it put them right off!
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I went to my neighborhood MS store opening week and checked one out. I can say after seeing their price point and having hands-on experience with the device - this is no surprise. It is too expensive for what it is. The "Pro" version with full Windows on it will of course be better in every way, but I imagine it will be similarly unrealistically priced.
I imagine the Pro model with the Touchcover and protection plan and all that will probably hit the wallet close to $1k USD. :X