Estimates of Microsoft's Surface tablet with the Windows RT operating system has been provided, but not my Microsoft.
An IDC analyst stated 900,000 of the Windows RT tablets were shipped last quarter. Because of the numbers, Microsoft narrowly misses the top five device makers list.
Microsoft has remained quiet on specific sales numbers but IDC's Mobile Device Tracking Program Manager Ryan Reith issued a statement.
"There is no question that Microsoft is in this tablet race to compete for the long haul," said Reith. "However, devices based upon its new Windows 8 and Windows RT operating systems failed to gain much ground during their launch quarter, and reaction to the company's Surface with Windows RT tablet was muted at best."
The IDC estimates were gathered based on ongoing tracking of Asian component suppliers, according to IDC's Research Director for Tablets Tom Mainelli.
"Microsoft faces an uphill battle," said Mainelli, according to ComputerWorld. "They were damned if they did [their own tablet], damned if they didn't."
The Surface tablet with Windows RT launched in late October exclusively through the company's shopping sites but by December was seen in retailers such as Best Buy and Staples.
"There was a fair amount of confusion about what [Surface with Windows RT] is, and also a fair amount of interest in the [Surface with Windows 8 Pro] version," Mainelli said, alluding to that the upcoming Windows 8 Pro tablet halted people from buying the Windows RT version.
"In the long run, consumers may grow to believe that high-end computing tablets with desktop operating systems are worth a higher premium than other tablets, but until then [average selling prices] on Windows 8 and Windows RT devices need to come down to drive higher volumes," added Reith.
Related Articles:
For reviews on the Microsoft Surface with Windows RT, click here.
For the Microsoft Surface with Windows RT specs and definitions, click here.
For the Microsoft Surface with Windows RT tablet drop test, click here.
For rumors on three upcoming Surface tablets in 2013, click here.
For the iPad 4 vs. Microsoft Surface with Windows RT, click here.
For the iPad Mini vs. Microsoft Surface with Windows RT specs, click here.
For the comparison of the Microsoft Surface vs. Kindle Fire HD 8.9, click here.
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