Microsoft Surface Tablet already backordered in US, sells out in UK

Christian Science Monitor ^ | 10/24/2012 | Matthew Shaer

[SeekAndFind]

Ordered a Microsoft Surface tablet? You may not see it for several weeks.

Although Microsoft is expected to officially start selling its Windows 8-powered tablet later this week, demand for the device has reportedly been high in the US, and delivery of many pre-ordered Surfaces has been pushed back for several weeks. Meanwhile, according to ZDNet, in England, the 32GB Surface, which retails for £399 has sold out completely. (Other models appear to still be available.)

In a statement obtained by CNET, Microsoft said that consumers unable to order a Surface online could go to a brick-and-mortar Microsoft outlet, where stock would be more plentiful.

"Online availability adjusts based on orders and inventory," Microsoft said "Regardless of online availability, beginning Oct. 26, 2012, all three Surface SKUs will be available for purchase at all Microsoft Store locations in the United States and Canada, including in all 34 new holiday stores."

In related news, Microsoft has published a video interview with Microsoft founder Bill Gates, in which Gates talks up the new OS. "This is an absolutely critical product," Gates says in the video (hat tip to eWeek for the transcript). "It takes Windows into the world of touch, low-powered devices, really giving people the best of what you think of as a tablet-type experience and the PC experience.... It's a big step. It's key to where personal computing is going."

Microsoft said last week that it had logged $800 million in Windows 8 pre-sales, some 40 percent higher than pre-sales for Windows 7. And yet many analysts are skeptical that Windows 8 will be a smash hit for Microsoft. Writing at the Register, Lawrence Walsh notes that PC sales are slipping not just in the US, but globally.

[AnalogReigns]

Pretty slick looking device, imho. Basically an ipad with a built-on, magnetically attached keyboard:

I have heard, however, the developers are hating Windows 8, as it is not backward compatible with Win 7 or XP programs...

[Yasmar]

I am still trying to get my hands on a Zune. Once I have that I will get a Surface. Then I will get a Popeil Pocket Fisherman.

[Zhang Fei]

Not entirely surprised about demand. Office costs a couple of hundred bucks. However, it’s not available at any price for either Ios or Android products. By selling the Surface for $500, MSFT is underpricing the competition by $200. All the naysayers will eat their words. The Surface is a game changer, and I’m not even an MSFT fan, given all its failures in the market for the past decade.

[adorno]

I have heard, however, the developers are hating Windows 8, as it is not backward compatible with Win 7 or XP programs...

Not true!

There are two flavors of Windows 8. The x86 version, is backwards compatible with XP and Windows 7 programs.

The Windows RT devices, which is what is being pre-ordered, and which will be available next week, will not be backwards compatible. The RT version of Windows, and the devices that it comes in, are based on the ARM processor, which can't take the regular x86 instruction set. However, they will be able to share data across the internet, which is a way to create some compatibilities.