The company's developers group says in a tweet that both the Windows RT
and Windows 8.1 versions of the device are in short supply. But how
short is "short," exactly?
It soon may be tough to find one of Microsoft's Surface
tablets, the company said. The Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 "are close to selling out," Microsoft's developers account tweeted earlier Friday.
At this time, it's unclear how many tablets Microsoft made and what "close to selling out" actually means.
Tweet :
Microsoft Developer ✔ @msdev
We've contacted the company and will update the report when we have more information.
In the case of its first generation Surface RT device, Microsoft ended up building many more tablets than it could sell. In July, the company booked a $900 million write-down for excess Surface inventory, and it also revealed that it had generated only $853 million in revenue from Surface RT and Surface Pro since their debut in the fall. Rather than dump the remaining Surface RT tablets, Microsoft continues to offer the product at a discounted rate alongside its updated devices. Surface tablets are Microsoft's own take on the burgeoning niche -- one that is largely dominated by Apple's iPad, but with a healthy dose of competition from devices using Google's Android OS. Microsoft, not wanting to miss out on the tablet gravy train, opted to push Windows 8 and Windows RT through its own products. While Microsoft's first attempt last year led to disappointing results, the company is trying again with improved internal specs. The Surface Pro 2 is what Microsoft calls a full laptop in a tablet design, while the Surface 2 runs a stripped-down version of Windows 8. Microsoft opened preorders for the devices on Sept. 24, and they'll hit stores Oct. 22.
Despite the apparent strong preorders, Microsoft has faced some recent hurdles ahead of an update to its Windows operating system. Dell earlier this week became the latest company to dump plans to develop products running Windows RT, the version of Microsoft's software that runs on chips typically used in cell phones, those based on technology from ARM Holdings. The operating system has failed to gain traction with users, in part because traditional Windows programs won't run on Windows RT.
Microsoft earlier this week told CNET in a statement that Windows RT "continues to be an important element of the Windows strategy."
Microsoft's Surface Pro
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
At this time, it's unclear how many tablets Microsoft made and what "close to selling out" actually means.
Tweet :
Microsoft Developer ✔ @msdev
Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 are close to selling out. All those buyers are gonna need apps. Your move: http://developer.microsoft.com/
We've contacted the company and will update the report when we have more information.
In the case of its first generation Surface RT device, Microsoft ended up building many more tablets than it could sell. In July, the company booked a $900 million write-down for excess Surface inventory, and it also revealed that it had generated only $853 million in revenue from Surface RT and Surface Pro since their debut in the fall. Rather than dump the remaining Surface RT tablets, Microsoft continues to offer the product at a discounted rate alongside its updated devices. Surface tablets are Microsoft's own take on the burgeoning niche -- one that is largely dominated by Apple's iPad, but with a healthy dose of competition from devices using Google's Android OS. Microsoft, not wanting to miss out on the tablet gravy train, opted to push Windows 8 and Windows RT through its own products. While Microsoft's first attempt last year led to disappointing results, the company is trying again with improved internal specs. The Surface Pro 2 is what Microsoft calls a full laptop in a tablet design, while the Surface 2 runs a stripped-down version of Windows 8. Microsoft opened preorders for the devices on Sept. 24, and they'll hit stores Oct. 22.
Despite the apparent strong preorders, Microsoft has faced some recent hurdles ahead of an update to its Windows operating system. Dell earlier this week became the latest company to dump plans to develop products running Windows RT, the version of Microsoft's software that runs on chips typically used in cell phones, those based on technology from ARM Holdings. The operating system has failed to gain traction with users, in part because traditional Windows programs won't run on Windows RT.
Microsoft earlier this week told CNET in a statement that Windows RT "continues to be an important element of the Windows strategy."
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