Only One Million Surface Tablets Sold So Far

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UBS analyst Brent Thill estimates that Microsoft only has sold only about 1 million of its Surface RT tablets so far. That’s short of expectations—but experts say the upcoming Surface Pro could make up for the RT’s shortcomings.

Business Insider’s Jay Yarow reported, “Microsoft’s Surface is off to a very slow start, in UBS analyst Brent Thill’s opinion. He estimates Microsoft sold just 1 million Surface RT tablets, down from his previous estimate of 2 million. For some context, Apple is expected to have sold well over 20 million iPads. That’s part of the problem. People are choosing iPads over Surfaces, says Thill. He also blames narrow distribution. Microsoft only sold the Surface at its stores last quarter.”

Mashable’s Pete Pachal noted, “This is far from the first sign that the Surface isn’t doing very well. A month ago, brokerage firm Detwiler Fenton said Microsoft wouldn’t even break a million units, estimating sales for the quarter at 600,000 units maximum. However, that was before Microsoft expanded retail distribution of the Surface early, which likely led to better numbers.”

CNET’s Lance Whitney recalled, “Early last month, IHS iSuppli analyst Rhoda Alexander told CNET that she expected Surface sales of 1.3 million for the quarter, adding that ‘I would be surprised to see it much above that.’ Last July, CEO Steve Ballmer said that Microsoft’s goal was to sell a few million Surface tablets in the coming year. But the company has been mum about recent sales of Surface, which debuted at the end of October.”

Pedro Hernandez from eWeek commented, “It’s a blow to Microsoft, but Thrill notes that despite the gloom, hopes are higher for Microsoft’s other tablet, the Surface Pro…. Even as it sports a bigger price tag, loses a bit of its trademark sleekness and sheds a big chunk of battery life, Surface Pro is winning over some skeptics. Early reactions to the device range from cautiously optimistic to near adoration. Surface Pro’s no-compromise approach to tablet computing has even led some to declare that Surface Pro is what Microsoft’s first tablet should have been.”