Having a hard time finding a Surface Pro at your local retailer today? You’re not alone. Here is Microsoft’s statement on the shortages of the new tablet PC, which launched today.
“Customer response to the launch of Surface Pro has been amazing. We are 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.”
Do you buy it?
If you’re just tuning in, Microsoft’s new Surface Pro tablet has stirred up enough demand to generate lines at stores and sell out online. After all, it’s a milestone machine — the first honest-to-goodness, Intel-based, traditional Windows PC ever made by Microsoft, the company that makes Windows.
But tech companies can be very good at disguising their inability to provide an adequate initial supply — instead trying to leave the impression that shortages are caused by mobs of people wanting to get their hands on this hotness.
I have no idea if Microsoft is doing that here. Readers commenting on some of our earlier posts are reporting some very small single-digit supplies of the Surface Pro at their local retailers in different parts of the country. The fact that Microsoft pushed back the launch date is more evidence of manufacturing issues. But unless Microsoft discloses some post-weekend sales figures, as Apple often does after a successful launch, we won’t have any way of knowing for sure in the short run.
Then again, when was the last time you saw people line up like this to buy a new Windows PC? Yes, these pictures are from Microsoft’s backyard, but still …
@thurrott Bellevue Wa MS Store Surface Pro line. This is 1/2 hr after open 250-300 happy campers in line. pic.twitter.com/BNUpxZjP
— javajunkee (@javajunkee) February 9, 2013
Review: Hands-on with Surface Pro, Microsoft’s three-in-one PC
