We knew that the Surface tablet was eventually going to be available in places other than the Microsoft Store, but now it looks like that may happen sooner than anticipated.

Paul Thurrott over at windowsitpro.com says that “within days,” the Surface with Windows RT will be sold elsewhere before the holiday season is over.

I can’t say too much about this, but within days, Microsoft’s Surface with Windows RT tablets will be available far more broadly than via its current, limited distribution system (i.e., only via Microsoft’s retail and online stores). This was always going to happen in very early 2013, but the software giant has apparently decided to ramp up the speed and make it happen before the holiday selling season is over.

Microsoft’s tablet is only available at the company stores and online. They have also been on display at Verizon stores, though somewhat discreetly.

Lots of reports note unimpressive Surface sales and Microsoft could see fewer than 1 million sales in its debut quarter. Thurrott, however, says that this is incorrect.

“I’ve heard that they’re actually selling very well, given the “modest” distribution — and Surface sales represent one of the few bright spots in what is becoming an increasingly dire late-2012 launch season,” he writes.

Previously on GeekWire: Microsoft to steal some thunder from Android and iPad by 2016

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