The Surface Pro, powered by the full-blown Windows 8 software, was officially launched in the online Microsoft Store in the U.S., as well as retailers BestBuy and Staples. The $999 128GB Surface Pro sold out at MicrosoftStore.com just a few hours after going on sale February 9th. BestBuy later listed the device as "unavailable" confirming that the top-end tablet is flying off the shelves. Microsoft says that due to "amazing" customer response, it's working with retail partners to "quickly replenish supplies as quickly as possible." Analysts though claim that it could be a case of small supply rather than big demand, so the "sold out" status doesn't mean that Windows 8 tablets is outselling the market-leading iPad.
What Else You Need To Know
- The cheaper $899 64GB version is still available amid reports that the device just has 20GB of free storage after taking account the Windows OS install.
- Microsoft was only planning on having an initial shipment volume of one million Surface Pro units, according to a report from Digitimes.
- Microsoft's Surface Pro is an Intel-powered tablet that runs the full version of Windows 8 unlike the earlier-released Surface RT and can handle full-fledged Windows desktop applications.
- The Microsoft Surface Pro packs a Core i5 processor with HD Graphics 4000 GPU, 4GB of RAM, a 10.6-inch display with true HD resolution of 1920-by-1080, a Surface pen writing stylus, a full-sized USB 3.0 port, and a microSDXC memory card slot.
Other sources
We’re particularly surprised with the sold out status and apparent success of the device, since initial reviews have not been that encouraging, criticizing lack of storage and the poor battery, that provides 4 hours of fun.- Radu Iorga, Tablet News
The only question is how many units did Microsoft make available for sale? It is ludicrous to believe Microsoft sold a ton of Surface Pro tablets when they cost a ton of money.- P.Rad, Best eBook Readers
- Other
- The 128GB Surface Pro sold out at Microsoft's...
- Mobile Crunch
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Microsoft’s 128GB Surface Pro Sells Out At MS Online Store Just Hours After Launch
Storage was recently the subject of a number of back-and-forth reports regarding the Surface, with some claiming Microsoft left little room on-device for personal files once you accounted for the Windows 8 OS install.
- Other
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The 128 GB Surface Pro Is Already Sold Out Online (MSFT)
You can also buy the Surface Pro at Best Buy, Staples, or Microsoft Store retail locations. It starts at $899, but you'll want to spend another $120 on one of the special keyboard covers to get the full experience.
- Venture Beat
- Microsoft Surface Pros out-of-stock, within hours of going on-sale
- TN
- Microsoft Surface Pro Tablet Sold Out at Microsoft’s Online Store in 128 GB Version
- Beta News
- Microsoft announces Surface Pro availability while apologizing that you can't get it
- Other
- Microsoft's Surface Pro Tablet Sold Out, But Many Are Complaining There Weren't That Many To Begin With (MSFT)
- Digital Trends
- Surface Pro 128GB ‘sells out’ instantly, but customers aren’t buying it
- Other
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Microsoft's 128GB Surface Pro tablet sells out in the US
Of course, it's unclear how many Surface Pro tablets Microsoft actually managed to shift over the weekend, so this doesn't mean that its Windows 8 tablet is outselling the iPad or Kindle Fire.
- The Inquirer
- Microsoft's 128GB Surface Pro tablet sells out in the US
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