14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft’s own Surface tablets have always been considered to be rather disappointing, not only in terms of the experience you get when using them but also as far as sales are concerned, but it might seem like things are changing these days for the Redmond-based tech giant.
A new report published by research firm Canalys reveals that Microsoft shipped no less than 2 million Surface tablets in the fourth quarter of 2014, which is pretty much Redmond’s very own personal record since October 2012, when it launched the first Surface model.
It’s also worth mentioning that these figures also include the old Surface RT and the Surface 2, two versions that are no longer in production, as Microsoft focuses all its development work on the Surface Pro 3 launched in May 2014.
Canalys claims that Microsoft’s very own Surface tablets represented more than a third of all Windows tablet shipments in the fourth quarter, explaining that the Surface Pro 3 really sold like hot cakes during this period.
Selling three times better than the Surface Pro 2
Microsoft hasn’t provided any details on Surface sales, but a company spokesperson has told Forbes that the Surface Pro 3 is selling three times better than the Surface Pro 2, which is indeed a confirmation of how fast the new model is actually gaining ground.
The Surface Pro 3 is Microsoft’s most advanced tablet to date and comes in three different versions, depending on the CPU you choose. For instance, the entry-level version is powered by an Intel i3 processor, while the top-of-the-range model has an Intel i7 unit and 8 GB of RAM.
Additionally, storage options go up to 512 GB for the top version, while pricing reaches $1,900 (€1,500) for the very same configuration.
Windows 8.1 Pro is available on absolutely all versions, and all will be upgradeable to Windows 10 when it comes out later this year.