Microsoft Surface Preorders Sell Out In Less Than A Week
Michael Harper for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online
It’s one of this year’s most anticipated gadgets, and it’s already sold out of pre-order stock, despite the fact that no hands on reviews have been released. No, it’s not an Apple device, it’s the Microsoft Surface.
Normally, it’s Apple who has the lust worthy device. They’ll announce it in a grand way (much like they will tomorrow morning), send out a few demo units for review, and sell out of pre-orders in a matter of hours.
Microsoft, on the other hand, announced their Surface tablet this June and refused to give any pricing or availability until last week when they announced the tablet would go on sale this Friday, October 26th starting at $499. If reviewers have been able to put this tablet through its paces, they’re likely under embargo and won’t be able to share their opinions until it is lifted.
Yet, despite the confusion surrounding Windows RT and the months with nearly no details about this device, it appears as if Microsoft has been able to sell out of pre-order stock of the entry level 32 GB Surface with Windows RT. While the 32 GB with Black Touch Cover and a 64 GB model of the same style show a 1 to 2 week shipment time, the entry level $499 Surface is now showing a 3 week shipment time.
Those eager to get their hands on the latest tablet from Microsoft on launch day aren’t completely out of luck. Microsoft will have some units in stock in their stores, either permanent or temporary, “pop-up” style. According to Microsoft’s Web site, there are 25 stores in the United States, with many more listed as coming soon in Canada and the contiguous 48.
While selling out of pre-order stock is never a bad thing, it’s yet unknown just how many Surface tablets Microsoft was able to sell in less than a week.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Microsoft has already placed an order for anywhere from 3 to 5 million Surface tablets for the 4th quarter of 2012. The Journal also notes that both Amazon and Google have ordered around the same amount of tablets for the same time frame.
Apple, on the other hand, is said to have already ordered as many as 10 million units of their rumored, 7.85-inch iPad which is set to be announced tomorrow morning.
Microsoft’s surface is larger than Apple’s newest rumored device, weighing in at 1.5 pounds and 9.3 millimeters thick. As shown off extensively in the first ad for the tablet, the Surface has a kickstand and can be paired with magnetic covers which double as keyboards. These Touch or Type covers resemble Apple’s Smart covers and, depending on the cover, add a flat, multi-touch keyboard or a physical style keyboard with actual springs. Both covers feature a trackpad, turning the Surface into a small, touchscreen netbook.
Microsoft’s newest Windows OS, Windows 8, will also be available this Friday, October 26th.
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2012-10-23 04:25:37
Source: http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1112717570/microsoft-surface-preorders-out-102212/
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