Microsoft’s (MSFT) Surface tablet continues to ruffle feathers ahead of its imminent launch next week. According to a report on Friday from Digitimes, Microsoft’s partners feel their software supplier “will no longer be concerned about its downstream partners’ thoughts or complaints” following the launch of the Redmond, Washington-based company’s debut tablet. Instead Microsoft is focused on establishing its own hardware business and breaking into the tablet market that has eluded it thus far.
Digitimes’ unnamed sources seem most concerned about pricing, and they feel the Surface RT tablet’s $499 starting price squeezes other vendors that will soon launch full Windows 8 devices at higher prices. The Surface tablet launches at midnight on October 26th, and preorders of the base model — which was available in limited quantities — sold out less than 24 hours after pre-sales were made available.
