Over the weekend, a report from a French news source quoted Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer as saying that sales of the Surface tablet have been "modest" since its launch a few weeks ago. Today, Microsoft sent Neowin an official statement that clarifies what Ballmer stated in the interview.
Microsoft"s statement said:
When asked about Surface, Steve’s use of the term “modest” was in relation to the company’s approach in ramping up supply and distribution of Surface with Windows RT, which has only been available via our online store and Microsoft retail and holiday stores in the U.S. and Canada. While our approach has been modest, Steve notes the reception to the device has been “fantastic” which is why he also stated that “soon, it will be available in more countries and in more stores.”
As we have noted many times before, Microsoft has yet to reveal any official sales numbers for the Surface tablet, although it appears that it was a sales success for its first few days as the company was unable to keep up with the demand for a while. Hopefully Microsoft will offer up some concrete Surface tablet sales in the near future, perhaps as part of its fourth quarter 2012 financial release that should be made in January.