Microsoft Promises to Expand Surface Lineup

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.

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  • faer
    I guess we can expect a surface phone to be released in Q4 to compete with the iPhone 5S this year. I'm actually excited to see with that come up with.
    Reply
  • faerI guess we can expect a surface phone to be released in Q4 to compete with the iPhone 5S this year. I'm actually excited to see with that come up with.
    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
    Reply
  • soundping
    Microsoft looks desperate. Any small victory will get blown out of proportion by Ballmer.
    Reply
  • JOSHSKORN
    Maybe they should just release a fix already for Windows 8. We could use a Start button, ya know.
    Reply
  • ojas
    I hope they expand to more Asian countries, the Surface Pro is pretty good...
    Reply
  • NuclearShadow
    I'd love a surface pro but the price and the fact that I am content with my current tablet it just doesn't make sense to move to it. I may as well just go and buy a new laptop.
    Reply
  • killerclick
    Surface Pro as a tablet - too thick and heavy, battery life too short (half of Surface RT), has active cooling (dust+noise), i5 unnecessary for tablet apps, too expensive

    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.
    Reply
  • Just get TIFKAM off of desktops and laptops, don't need or want it, want resizeable windows, and lots of them, not just Two, task bar, start MENU!, and AREO interface! Just take windows 7 and add the "Under the Hood improvments", get rid of Ballmer, and see how things will improve!
    Reply
  • susyque747
    Not interested in your first line up so...... I would take an AIR and OS X any day over your hardware and tiles OS.
    Reply
  • God bless Metro, the finest interface out there! Metro will be the future and anyone who disagrees is not only wrong, but has no business using computers. God bless you Julie Larson-Green, you make us all proud! God bless Surface, YAY METRO! YAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Reply