Microsoft's Ballmer: Surface RT sales off to modest start

At an event held on October 26, Microsoft officially launched the Surface RT tablet, and since then various reports have indicated the success of this new device. As of now, Microsoft has not released any numbers regarding the sales of the Surface RT. However, in an interview with Le Parisien, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer stated that sales of the device are starting modestly.

As per a report by Microsoft News, the website stated that the reason for the modest sales was primarily the lack of distribution as opposed to the demand of the tablet. Ballmer noted that the Surface is only sold through Microsoft Stores where the device is often in short supply.

Off to a modest start

Commenting on the shortage, Ballmer said that it is a good sign, and that Microsoft will fix the problem quickly. He added that increase in supply capacity is a part of the company’s strategy.

More from News & Analysis

What is the US HIRE Bill and why is India’s $250-billion IT sector worried? Is the internet dead? What's this theory that OpenAI's Sam Altman says might be true?

The report ends by stating, “Steve also talked about the coming Surface Pro, noting that it will have a higher-definition screen and Intel processor. He also repeated an earlier announcement that the company sold 4 million Windows 8 upgrades to consumers in only 3 days.”

At the Windows 8 event, Microsoft announced the launch of the Surface tablet, and it stated that it designed to be the ultimate stage for Windows RT as it is unique and represents value, providing an entertainment experience, and a foundation for getting things done.

First unveiled in June, Surface has a light, durable casing, integrated kickstand, Touch Cover, a USB port, a 16:9 widescreen, and a high-definition display with a 22-degree angle. Microsoft claims that Surface lets customers seamlessly make the transition between entertainment and content creation.

There is no official word yet on the availability of the Surface in India. However, one can pre-order the 32GB version from eBay. The eBay seller, cart2india2010, has put up the listing as a pre-order. From the look of it, cart2india2010 has quite a few tablets in stock. The tablet is available through a ‘Buy it Now’ option, and comes with free shipping. The different modes of payment for the tablet include PaisaPay, Credit Card, EMI, and Debit card. The seller notes that the pre-orders will ship from November 2012, and time extension will be requested for after the order is received. The seller is located in New Jersey, United States, and is selling the 32GB variant at Rs 38,490.

Here is a look at some of the features of the Microsoft Surface for Windows RT:

• OS: Windows RT
• Weight: 676g
• Depth: 9.3mm
• Display: 10.6-inch ClearType HD Display
• Battery: 31.5Wh
• Connectivity: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2x2 MIMO antennae
• Productivity apps: Office ‘15’ Apps, Touch Cover, Type Cover
• Accessories: VaporMg Case and Stand
• Available in 32GB, 64B memory capacity