Few Microsoft launches have been as big as the combined Windows 8-Surface launch set to kick off on October 26, as it not only marks a generational step in Windows, but also a hardcore launch of a Microsoft hardware product. Rumor has it - straight from The Wall Street Journal who spoke to Asian component suppliers - that Microsoft has placed an order to build 3 to 5 million Surface tablets for this quarter.
If the rumor is true Microsoft is not just sitting back with a niche product, but taking the market head on and seriously competing with their beloved OEMs. WSJ notes this figure for units is similar to Amazon's Kindle Fire tablets, as well as Google's Nexus 7, both of which have been selling quite well in the budget tablet space. Obviously the Surface is not going to be in the same price bracket, but Microsoft is still hoping to sell a bucket load of their own hardware.
The Windows RT will be the only version of Surface to be available at launch, with the Windows 8-powered Surface Pro coming 90 days later. Microsoft still hasn't revealed a price for the Surface, which is going to launch in 32 GB and 64 GB models, however we expect an announcement could happen as soon as today.
Via: The Verge
Source: The Wall Street Journal | Image via Wired
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