AP: 2b42f224-9e75-4aa1-8630-726b5970dcbb
Microsoft Corp.'s new Surface tablet computer, the Surface, will start at $499 when it goes on sale Oct. 26. The price matches that of Apple Inc.'s iPad, the most popular tablet computer, but the base model of the Surface has twice as much storage memory: 32 gigabytes. The screen is also slightly larger. The signature hardware feature of the tablet, a cover (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

Microsoft increases Surface tablet production

December 11, 2012 @ 2:27 pm

NEW YORK (AP) - Microsoft says it's increasing production of its Surface tablets and will sell them in more stores. Staples says it will start carrying them starting Wednesday.

The Surface is the first tablet Microsoft Corp. is selling under its own brand, and the company is promoting it heavily after its late-October launch. But reviews have been mixed, and there have been few signs that the tablet is flying off the shelves. So far, Microsoft has been selling it online and through its own stores.

Microsoft says other stores in the U.S. and Australia will now carry the Surface, and more countries will be added within months. Microsoft's holiday stores will stay in operation into the new year.

Staples says it will sell the Surface in two configurations, starting at $499. Both run Windows RT, a version of Windows 8 designed to run on tablet-style chips.

"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," said Steve Schueler, Microsoft's head of retail sales and marketing.


(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Comments (2)


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  • Fuego wrote...
    So if I already...
    October 16, 2012 9:28 am
    have an Ipad why would I want to buy this? I think once again MS is way late on getting into the game. The death of this will come if they have operational problems like poor battery life or system just locks up.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    "said Tom Butler, director of ThinkPad marketing for Lenovo"
    October 17, 2012 7:13 am
    Validate the ecosystem? Why do you not just fart to help us out? What am I going to do with Microsoft Smart Watch in the drawer? Or their biometric log-on device? (cool for a few days).
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }