Microsoft Confirms Surface RT Expansion Into Additional Stores

Microsoft confirmed on Tuesday that it will make the Surface RT tablets available at additional retailers as soon as mid-December.

“The public reaction to Surface has been exciting to see. We’ve increased production and are expanding the ways in which customers can interact with, experience and purchase Surface,” said Panos Panay, general manager, Microsoft Surface.

Although actual stores weren't named, Panay said customers in North America and Australia will be able to walk right into their favorite retailer and purchase the Surface RT tablet starting at $499 USD. Additional availability will be added in a number of countries in the coming months, he said.

"Our plan has been to expand the retail presence for Surface after the first of the year. Based on interest from retailers, we are giving them the option to carry Surface with Windows RT even earlier," added Steve Schueler, corporate vice president, Microsoft Retail Sales and Marketing, confirming the previous report that Microsoft originally planned to expand sales in January.

Currently the 32 GB version without the Touch Cover retails for $499. However, customers wanting the 32 GB version with the Touch Cover must shell out $599, and those wanting 64 GB of storage and a Touch Cover will be required to scrape together $699. The Redmond company also sells the Touch Cover separately for $119.99, and the Type Cover for $129.99.

Panay said that Surface RT will continue to be sold at all Microsoft retail stores in the United States and Canada and online in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. He also said that the Microsoft holiday stores will remain open into the new year, and transition into either permanent brick-and-mortar retail outlets, or specialty store locations.

Contact Us for News Tips, Corrections and Feedback                        

TOPICS
Kevin Parrish
Contributor

Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.

  • xpeh
    I have a feeling that it will sell a lot more due to these retailers. It will mostly be bought by people who don't know that it can't run x86 Windows programs.
    Reply
  • jerrspud
    isn't "mid December" now? they can get that done that fast?
    Reply
  • cknobman
    Its "mid" December right now. What f'ing stores should I be looking at because I cant find these things anywhere where I live?

    Microsoft your really missing the boat for Christmas here. What kind of marketing genius's work for you?

    Reply
  • brushrop03
    cknobmanIts "mid" December right now. What f'ing stores should I be looking at because I cant find these things anywhere where I live?Microsoft your really missing the boat for Christmas here. What kind of marketing genius's work for you?I read that Best Buy is starting to sell them today. Another store also, but I can't remember which.
    Reply
  • brushrop03
    Staples is the other I believe
    Reply
  • CaedenV
    good move MS. I visited your new store last week and it was highly disappointing. Sure the store looked nice enough, but the product layout was disorganized, and the employees had no clue how to use half of the devices in the store.

    Focus on making stuff, let other people sell it. They are frankly better at it than you are.
    Reply
  • victorintelr
    I was waiting for Best Buy to sell the surface just to learn yesterday..... that they were not carrying them yet, but since they rushed it, I'll be able to take a look. I'm interested in the Surface Pro.
    Reply