It seems that Microsoft might be catching on to something everyone else in the market knew when they first announced their first foray into hardware since the Zune; software companies shouldn't annoy their customer by competing with them. Ballmer originally tried to assuage companies like Acer by claiming that Surface was just a proof of concept, which was met by disbelief and after 3 iterations of Surface those doubts were proven to be justified. According to Microsoft the Surface 3 is a big hit overseas but as this is their first crack at those markets you can bet that the sales will follow the same precipitous drop we saw for the first Surface in North America.
The news from DigiTimes today is that Surface 3 will be the last generation of this hybrid tablet. It could be that Microsoft will now focus on their phones, much to the dismay of those who have used their phones though perhaps the remaining human assets from Nokia will bring forth a new generation of workable devices.
"Microsoft continues to see weak sales for its Surface Pro 3 tablet and is reportedly planning to cancel the product line since shipment performance has been far lower than expectations, according to sources from the upstream supply chain."
Here is some more Tech News from around the web:
- How to Build and Tune an Open Source 3D Printer on Linux @ Linux.com
- Windows 10 feedback: 'Microsoft, please do a deal with Google to use its browser' @ The Register
- Fail of the Week: Transparent Circuit Design is Clearly a Challenge @ Hack a Day
- LTE's backers vow to KILL OFF WI-FI and BLUETOOTH @ The Register
- So long, Rory: AMD board names Lisa Su president and CEO @ The Register
- Lisu Su promoted to AMD CEO as Rory Read steps down @ The Tech Report
- The TR Podcast 163: Windows goes to 10 and Maxwell does DSR
That seems at odd with other
That seems at odd with other reporting (e.g.. http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/10/microsoft-makes-a-push-for-surface-pro-in-business-with-dock-bundle-warranties/) that not only are Microsoft offering extended support periods for Enterprise customers, but that they’ve explicitly stated that the current crop of accessories will be compatible with the next generation of Surfaces.
you mean that internet
you mean that internet rumours don't all agree?!?
Check the DigiTimes link, that is the source I posted from, it might be right, it might not be. That is half the fun of prognosticating from limited info.
DigiTimes are hardly a
DigiTimes are hardly a bastion of accuracy.
MicroSoft confirms it is
MicroSoft confirms it is working on a new Surface Pro:
http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-confirms-its-working-on-a-new-surface-pro
Definitely not abandoning the Surface line.
Ryan, where are
Ryan, where are you?
Microsoft: Surface Pro line is here to stay.
Summary: Microsoft’s latest public compatibility commitments regarding the Surface Pro tablet line refute new rumors that the company is planning to discontinue completely its Surface products.
http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-surface-pro-line-is-here-to-stay-7000034509/#ftag=RSS0966a21
MS, NOT abandoning the Surface Pro line.
Your link actually
Your link actually specifically cites my source. Conflicting rumours are what makes this fun; no?
Weak sales means little, no
Weak sales means little, no or loss of profit. No profit = it will be dumped and you can believe whatever you like.
Me? If you’re paying for a laptop- get a laptop.
http://blog.surface.com/2014/
http://blog.surface.com/2014/10/surface-commitment-to-business/
Wow the positive spin doctors
Wow the positive spin doctors are all over this, and is the surface actually a giant money pit. What are the direct unit sales figures on these overpriced fondle slabs! Maybe M$ should rename the surface to the Bing-Bling-Fondle-Thing, with more dancing tile metrics slurp.
7 is the new XP, and a damn fine laptop can be had for less than the price of the surface 3 strikes, and your bank account is drained, slabs of mediocrity.
THe surface pro was never a
THe surface pro was never a poor seller. The first 2 sold pretty well.
The surface RT sold poorly and is no longer needed.
Baytrail shows that an intel apu can compete in power with arm systems and run windows well. The next gen atom that should show up later this year will do an even better job.
Intel also has the core m (broadwell ulp) hitting shortly which while having a 4.5w TDP is within 10% performance of the haswell apu in the surface pro 2 which has a 15w TDP .
So newer surfaces should do better as they continue to clear up problems with previous designs
I think I believe Mary Jo
I think I believe Mary Jo Foley over anyone at Digitimes.
Digitimes – rumour has it that Apple might be abandoning the iPhone…
Jeremy Hellstrom Did you get
Jeremy Hellstrom Did you get drunk and start a argument? That’s so metal!
Well, you get bored of the
Well, you get bored of the comments claiming that we are shills that love everything and never say anything negative; makes a nice change to hear from the ones who accuse us of bias and hating everything.
I still don't think this 'proof of concept' device line has much life left in it personally.
I like the surface line, but
I like the surface line, but their prices are really bad. Its Apple style prices.