Microsoft halves Surface RT orders
The Surface RT tablet seems to have a problematic start. Taiwanese tech site DigiTimes heard from sources in the upstream supply chain that Microsoft's tablet is selling less well than hoped, resulting in Microsoft cutting orders by half to two million units. Originally, Microsoft anticipated four million Surface RT devices would ship by the end of 2012. The software giant can entice consumers with lower pricing, but such a move will likely further alienate the software giant's relationship with its notebook partners.
Although Asustek Computer, Samsung Electronics and Dell have all launched Windows RT-based tablets, consumer demand for those devices is also weak. The sources also pointed out that Surface RT is also unlikely to achieve great performance in the upcoming quarter which may force Microsoft to bring out its Intel-based Surface Pro tablet earlier in December.
The sources also noted that Microsoft may consider reducing its Surface Pro price to attract more consumers; however, such a decision may put the already awkward relationship between the software giant and notebook vendors in an even worse situation.
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Microsoft announced the global availability of its popular Windows operating system, Windows 8. Beginning Friday, Oct. 26, consumers and businesses worldwide will be able to experience all that Windows 8 has to offer, including a beautiful new user interface and a wide range of applications with the grand opening of the Windows Store. As a result of close work with hardware partners, more than 1,000 certified PCs and tablets, including Microsoft Surface, will be available for the launch of Windows 8 — making it the best lineup of PCs ever across the Windows 8 and Windows RT ecosystem.
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Trying to convince your clients to buy a Surface RT only to shove them the Surface Pro a couple of months later doesn't sound right.
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Well it does make the RT versions less appetizing, anyone who's got an ARM tablet is probably already committed to either Google or Apple and wouldn't want to miss out on the apps they currently enjoy.
However the Pro Surface should allow people which already have x86 software an interesting choice, the problem is the steep price. I can't understand why Microsoft will not make an Atom version, they would be able to sell much cheaper and still offer comparability or maybe they are waiting for Silvermont and not waste money and a dying platform (medfield)...
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Not only is the better version being released in the not too distant future but the name, marketing wise, stinks. Have they not learned for other company's mistakes?
The Chevrolet - Nova (no go)
They might as well have named it the Sham RT, just resembles a tablet on the surface.
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the main question is "why buy Surface?" and not "why is surface don't sell?"
Surface have nearly no app... Android or iSomething (Apple) have plenty most of them free.
So Surface Pro is technicaly a far better choise over Surface... BUT it is 300€ more expensive than direct concurent.
Ok Surface Pro have better Hardware (at least it should, despite i preffer more modern ARM device... that are less expensive lol).
It's a shame for Microsoft, as they miss the client target on the Only device that is really really nice with their new Windows, as despite huge advertising no one still want WindowsPhone
A friend who own a phone shop told me "it's like sell a bicycle with square weels"
So why buy a device wich is really too expensive and with no interesting software (not talking about the "badbuzz" of the poor quality of the device) and compatible with Windows, when you have on other hand plenty of inexpensive device fully compatible with major hardware and OS with lot of free App???
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it's a shame there aren't more linux based ARM tablets being sold. If people want a compatible system, nearly every x86 program for Linux also works on ARM.