Despite every single Surface variant selling out during its pre-order stages in several regions including the U.S. and UK, Apple CEO Tim Cook has labelled the device as a "compromised" and "confusing product".
During Apple's third quarter earnings call, Cook admitted that hasn't "played with" the Windows 8-powered Surface tablet yet. However, based on what he's heard about it, he's not too keen on the device.
"I haven't personally played with the Surface. But from what I've read it is a fairly compromised, confused device," he said.
Apple has made "hard trade-offs" in terms of designing products such as the iPad in order to ensure the user experience is "incredible," Cook added, implying Microsoft hasn't carried that out with its own tablet.
"I suppose you could design a car that flies and floats, but I don't think it would do those things very well," he continued.
Despite Cook's dissatisfaction with Surface, it's said that Apple is purportedly preparing a slimmer and lighter version of the iPad 4 for a launch early next year due to the threat Microsoft's device poses.
Microsoft launched Surface worldwide on Friday, alongside its operating system Windows 8.