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The Surface Pro officially hit the street this weekend, and it promptly sold out across the board. As with most “sold out” product launches, the Surface Pro is facing both praise, and criticism in roughly equal measure. Fans of the product are suggesting Microsoft simply can’t keep the tablet in stock, while its opponents are countering with accusations that the company is simply creating artificial scarcity.
Microsoft has certainly created enough hype, but did the company simply underestimate demand after the lackluster launch of Surface RT? Or did they do it on purpose to stimulate consumer lust for a gadget so hot they simply can’t get it.
The appeal of Surface Pro is certainly clear. It’s a fully functional PC in tablet form, which docks to create a very capable Ultrabook. The reviews have suggested it isn’t the greatest choice if you spend most of your computing time using the device on your lap, and battery life leaves room for improvement, but otherwise the Surface Pro seems to be the convertible device to beat.
Regardless of Microsoft’s guilt when it comes to artificial scarcity, the company is certainly dominating the conversation, and that’s never a bad thing. Will regretful consumers return their purchases en masse the way they did with Surface RT, or will OEM’s sit up and take notice the way Microsoft intended? It will probably take more data then we can collect this weekend to determine for sure, but it certainly sounds like the Surface Pro is the good news story Microsoft was hoping to lead with when they launched Windows 8.
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methuselah
February 11, 2013 at 12:00pm
I know a lot of corporations (mine included) are anxious to get one or two of these devices for testing in house apps or as a solution for sales and field reps.
Current Android and Apple tablets may work but don't integrate as well as an MS based tablet into a domain environment.
I suspect this demand is part of what's creating the shortage.
KonaMike
February 11, 2013 at 10:15am
What do you call a tablet with a keyboard?
A NETBOOK.
My Netbook weighs maybe 6-8 ozs more than my tablet and will run 8-10 hours and is a full Windows 7 home premimum capable computer. It was less than $500 with dual core, 4 gig RAM, and 350 gig drive. Planning on upgrading from W-7 to W-8 pro eventually[maybe].
From what I'm seeing and hearing the Surface Pro is a lot of expensive Hype.
Granite
February 11, 2013 at 7:44pm
What do you call a netbook that splits into two pieces and has a 10-finger touch screen? A Surface Pro.
Does YOUR netbook do that?
Baer
February 12, 2013 at 12:28pm
Oh come on, that is like calling a Hundai a BMW. Net Books are so wimpy. Must be a Apple iKiddie that wrote that.
gmvolk
February 11, 2013 at 5:36am
My guess, they didn't want a repeat of RT so they purposely kept stock low BUT demand was great enough to sell out. The Surface Pro does sound like a better alternative to the other tablets, which in my opinion are just "toys". This is a full OS that can technically run just about any piece of software, not just apps, and is fully portable. If 4 1/2 hours of battery life as per Baer, not bad, not great mind you, but not bad either. The cost is still a bit high for me at the moment.
big_montana
February 11, 2013 at 5:42am
For a laptop a 4 hour battery sucks, and I will wait for the Thinkpad Helix to ship before committing to either that or the Lynx. Lenovo makes more compelling products than the Surface Pro. Helix has a 10 hour battery and it is a convertible, my personal laptop has an 8 hour battery, so for a tablet to have anything less than that is unacceptable. Asus also makes a more compelling product as well than the Pro. All the products I mentioned are also priced lower than the Surface
gmvolk
February 11, 2013 at 7:23am
PC Mag got about 5 hours, my Dell laptop when new would get about 7-8 now it's good for maybe 4-5. I got the extended battery, and that was about 2-3 years ago. The Helix does look pretty cool, and if they price it better than the Pro it will do well. Would have to configure the Helix were it is comparable to the Surface, the Helix has options as far as processor goes. I also think the battery on the Helix is only better when you add the keyboard dock, which includes it's own battery. Regardless, I could deal with a 4-5 hour battery for what I do/need. If I was going to replace my laptop, I would consider the Helix before the Surface.
big_montana
February 11, 2013 at 9:21am
And that is the $64,000 question regarding the Helix, price. As it is more than likely being marketed as a Hybrid laptop, it will probably be priced accordingly in $900 and up segment which Lenovo owns that market now with an over 40% share. My current laptop still gets 8 hours of life and it is 2 years old. One thing Lenovo does that I wish all OEM's would is provide a battery refresh utility, so when your battery life diminishes than run the utility to restore your battery. I have only need to run that one time so far but it worked flawlessly. I though about purchasing the extended battery for my laptop but didn't think I would need a 12 hour battery. I have the Edge E420S BTW.
gmvolk
February 11, 2013 at 10:18am
That's were batteries get finicky. Bought two Dells, same exact everything(except the wife wanted purple!) at the same time. Her battery is only good for about an hour, were mine last 4-5.
I don't think it's fair to compare battery life in the Helix to the Surface as the Helix is running two distinct batteries. Take one out and you'll probably see the same 5 hour run-time as the Surface. I agree with you that I think the Helix is a better, at least on paper, product, more options/bigger storage and proven quality.
Have you ever seen a third party utility similar to the one with Lenovo? Would like to try it and see if the wife's laptop improved. Had an Acer laptop that the battery new worked 5-6 hours and after about 2 years was only good for 20 minutes. Of course replacing the battery did not help it, turned out to static shocks killed it! Killed a couple of thermostats that way as well, now I ground myself out before touching anything, damn dry desert air.
big_montana
February 11, 2013 at 1:01pm
I haven't seen a 3rd party battery refresh utility like what Lenovo offers. Than I haven't really looked as my Lenovo comes equipped with it I need to use it. HP is the only other company I have seen provide a battery utility, but I would not subject anyone to the garbage they produce. Like I said, I will wait until the Helix actually releases to see it's full specs, as they could very well offer multiple battery choices, but the battery life also has to do with the Core i 5 processor being offered. Replace it with the current gen Atom and you probably double battery life.
maxeeemum
February 11, 2013 at 3:14am
More Microsoft spin! Went to Best Buy and I was told no Surface Pros were sold in store. All they had were sold online.
All they had was a demo model. It was the 64GB one! I checked the HD and it showed 50GB used 10GB free. It had BB demo crap on it to be fair but only 10GB free!
OpTicaL
February 11, 2013 at 2:35am
MS should stop trying to be Apple. Their whole Surface line and Windows 8 seems like a rough patch of Windows 7 made more tablet and smartphone friendly, if I can even call it that.
Just like the Xbox, MS is again using brute force and strong arming their way into the smartphone and tablet market because they hold so much capital they can afford to lose.
While iPad is being widely adapted in government agencies and businesses what market segment is the Surface trying to occupy? Price and available storage space isn't making the Surface very attractive add to that no one really knows what the Surface is and what it's supposed to do MS has a long road ahead. The Windows 8 interface is not as butter smooth and refined as iOS
methuselah
February 11, 2013 at 12:05pm
"While iPad is being widely adapted in government agencies and businesses what market segment is the Surface trying to occupy?"
That same segment... Try integrating an iPad into a domain environment. Then while you're at it, throw in email PW sync issues (due to PW expiry policies), a proxy requiring AD authentication and a corporate wireless network requiring the same.
It's constant babysitting required by the IT dept. that drives up support costs due to Apple (or Android) devices in the network. One would think you could educate the end user community on these points but anyone that works in IT knows full well that's a pipe dream.
Surface pro (theoretically) solves these problems.
riopato
February 10, 2013 at 5:49pm
Over supply="not meeting expectations" under supply ="creating artificial scarcity"
medavid16
February 10, 2013 at 5:18pm
I try to be objective on every tech subject. I'm a core PC fan, but when iPad came out I knew it would be a hit and slowly converted SOME items in the house to apple products. AND that's after 15 years of dedicated hardcore PC experience.
Now THIS product, let's think about the market. It's a very niche market, who really NEEDS a full Win8 platform. For THAT niche to saturate the supply and a few consumers with some interest, it's a clear underestimation by Microsoft's part (probably more accurate than purposeful artificial supply shortage).
When it's all said and done, sounds like MS/PC people tooting their own horn. IF this thing had better battery life with a more reasonable price tag, maybe a more sensible storage structure, I'd say a true competitor. As of now, as people noted previously, it's just a "toy." Probably more precise to call this a classic 1st gen product, immature or a product in it's infancy. After some improvements and reiterations, this will definitely be a bigger competitor.
My eyes are on the GeForce Titan right now and a 2nd gen iPad mini.
RandomInt
February 10, 2013 at 5:06pm
Well, if Apple Insider wrote it then it must be true.
Hey, could you guys link to more dopey reviews complaining about the Surface Pro being four millimeters thicker than the iPad 4?
PCWolf
February 10, 2013 at 4:38pm
Feels like a Cabbage Patch "artificially created shortage" because I would rather buy a full powered laptop than one of these social media toys.
RUSENSITIVESWEETNESS
February 10, 2013 at 4:02pm
I'd sooner cut my dick off with a rusty nail file than buy one of these stupid little toys.
Mogulman27
February 10, 2013 at 3:30pm
I picked one up at the Microsoft store in Boston, they had plenty in stock! Though I think that's due more to the two feet of snow than anything else...
Baer
February 10, 2013 at 9:51pm
I picked one up in So Cal and there was a line at the MS store and within a few hours they were sold out and taking reservations. I was able to get one. The storage is not bad when you consider that there is a full version of Office 2013 already loaded as well as a full back up image. You have to buy a license to use Office but the code is all installed. I have gotten 4 1/2 hours of battery life and there was still some left. I really like it as it allows me to carry just it and still do meaningful work as well as use it as a display device like the iPad basically is. It has full connectivity and even a USB 3 port.
To me it is the iPad that is the toy but the iKiddies do like it. The Surface Pro may be to expensive for you so then get whatever but it is a powerful way to easily carry a full fledged PC in tablet form.
Peanut Fox
February 10, 2013 at 10:31pm
I'm surprised Microsoft didn't opt to include Office free to increase the appeal. Maybe it's a cost issue, or they didn't want to risk upsetting OEMs.
mrbailey26
February 10, 2013 at 3:27pm
Irregardless, huh? The median IQ of your writers is what, 63?
DeltaFIVEengineer
February 10, 2013 at 6:20pm
I almost had a coronary when I read that. Thankfully you beat me to the punch and saved me a lot of angry keystrokes.
I need to go irregard something....
asanath
February 10, 2013 at 3:58pm
Aww...I wanted to say that, and for all intensive purposes, you beat me to it...lol (that's a joke son, a joke I say)
anc51699
February 10, 2013 at 1:51pm
The title should say "Surface Pro" not "Surface RT"
The Samsung ATIV Win8 tablet ran into the same problem. It sold out almost immediately, and was unavailable for 2 to 3 weeks. Hard to say whether or not MS and Samsung did this on purpose, or if they legitimately can't churn them out fast enough. I would think that they would want to sell as many as possible during launch week, so I would probably chalk it up to manufacturing delays.
Baer
February 10, 2013 at 9:55pm
My observation yesterday was that they were really selling quite a few. They had a big pile of them which was going fast.
Look, if you want to drive an iHundai, it is cheaper and will get you across town fine, if you want a MSMErcedes and you are willing to pay for it, it will handle the high speed curvy road much better but you pays your fee and takes your ride.
