Microsoft Promises to Expand Surface Lineup
Surface Pro launching in February.
Microsoft has promised to expand the lineup for its Windows 8-powered tablet, Surface.
Following its 2012 Q4 earnings report, chief financial officer Peter Klein discussed future Surface products, but was tight-lipped on specifics.
"We had limited distribution this quarter in our stores and we're excited about expanding that [distribution]," he said when responding to an analyst's question. "We're going to expand geographically, we're going to expand the product lineup, we're going to expand retail distribution and capacity," he said, in comments about Surface. Microsoft has made similar comments in the past.
Klein reiterated on multiple occasions that Surface contributed to its revenue. "Certainly this quarter it was a contributing factor to revenue growth in the Windows business." He added: "It highlights some interesting innovation that can happen...demonstrates the power of Windows 8 when tightly integrated with hardware and software."
However, Klein failed to divulge figures pertaining to sales of its Surface tablet. Analysts believe it sold one million units during 2012's fourth quarter.
Microsoft will launch the Surface Pro model on February 9, with the variant offering a more complete Windows 8 experience when compared to Windows RT. A new Surface RT model, meanwhile, will also be released in due course.
I don't think they should release a phone, Nokia have just got back on track and will be devastated, unless the phone was built by nokia but released under microsoft
Surface Pro as a laptop - 10" Ultrabook. Touchscreen isn't much useful in this mode since desktop applications are not touch optimized, especially for a 10" 1080p screen. Can't use it comfortably on lap due to kickstand. Still too expensive for most people.
So you got a crap tablet and a mediocre laptop rolled into one. Maybe it'll work, but I seriously doubt it.
But maybe I'm wrong and the RT will do well. I'm wondering how the Gaming Surface will be...
I think the problem is that Microsoft hasn't figured out who it's for. I honestly think students are the best target. My university doesn't have a Surface in it, but it has plenty of iPads, Lenovos, and Kindle Fires.
I think it could be a great product if it were targeted well. It's...kind of aimless right nwo.
But I would personally have to wait until atleast 2nd generation and see how Haswell performs.
The next two years should be interesting for mobile computing when Haswell and Broadwell get to the power efficiencies to compete with ARM.
but it has one on the bottom left, and on the right, and on the keyboard
cant you find one of those? no?
I'd love a Surface phone!
What I would like to see is Microsoft work with Nokia to make it, but if Nokia is being a proverbial stick-in-the-mud about it just bypass Nokia and make their own phone.