Microsoft has officially started selling the new Surface with Windows 8 Pro tablet on Feb. 9 and a variant is already sold out.
The Surface with Windows 8 Pro, also known as the Surface Pro, is available in 64GB and 128GB, offering more storage space compared to the Surface with Windows RT, which was released last October.
According to Microsoft, the 128GB variant of the Surface Pro is already sold out.
We're working with our retail partners who are currently out of stock of the 128GB Surface Pro to replenish supplies as quickly as possible. Our priority is to ensure that every customer gets their new Surface Pro as soon as possible," stated Microsoft Surface General Manager Panos Panay in a blog post posted on the same day as its release date.
The news of the 128GB tablet selling out is obviously a positive for Microsoft but it has raised questions from critics and fans on how the company handled the release.
Comments on Panay's blog post included:
gotasurfacepro: "Everybody wanted the 128 version, they had two. I got the second," noting he's from Canada and visited a Best Buy in his area. "The man behind me wanted three, they could have easily sold a ton of these at this location right when the store opened. They also had 3 64GB versions, which I can't comment as to whether the other people waiting lowered their expectations and purchased one of these."
mortfire: "This was the biggest waste of a saturday. bestbuy had 0 staples had 2 . i waited at best buy. so the staples was sold before i got there. This was a poorly staged release. I am being polite with that statement. i wasted hours. thank you microsoft."
WaymenLi: "This is awful, how could you guys mess this up? Nice product but the way the launch was blown was just unbelievable. Also when will it be available again?"
MikeRotch: "I came here to complain about lack of international availability (I'm from Australia), but ended up laughing at the lack of organisation by this company. The development team did a great job from what I can tell; the Surface Pro seems to be a game-changing product. Pity no-one can get their hands on it and make Microsoft a wad of money!"
Allison Gilli (via Mashable): "They probably thought it was going to be a good idea to give stores less so that if they sold out, it would make them look better. They might have thought that if they did sell out, other people would think their product was really cool and want to get it even more. But it might end up backfiring on them."
Asok Asus (via PC Mag): "This is just so sick. According to the reports on Paul Thurrott's SuperSite (and many others sites now), each Best Buy and Staples store was allocated only about 1-2 units per store! That's at best 6,000 total units if true. If true, this is not mere incompetence, but a transparently cynical attempt to create the false illusion of a sellout. Hurray! The Surface Pro is an amazing success! It sold out within hours across the nation! Oh, and now it's a CRISIS! GIVE ME A BREAK! WHAT A PATHETIC PUBLICITY STUNT!"
Perhaps Microsoft was playing it safe and will rollout more as demand flows in.
The 64GB Surface Pro is on sale for $899 while the $999 price tag has been set for the 128GB.
Related Articles:
For reviews on the Microsoft Surface with Windows RT, click here.
Microsoft Surface Pro Review Roundup: Battery Life, Price, Weight Among Issues with Windows 8 Pro Tablet Critics, click here.
For the Microsoft Surface with Windows RT specs and definitions, click here.
For the Microsoft Surface with Windows RT tablet drop test, click here.
For rumors on three upcoming Surface tablets in 2013, click here.
For the iPad 4 vs. Microsoft Surface with Windows RT, click here.
For the iPad Mini vs. Microsoft Surface with Windows RT specs, click here.
For the comparison of the Microsoft Surface vs. Kindle Fire HD 8.9, click here.