Microsoft’s attempts to convince you that your next computing machine shouldn’t be an iPad or a MacBook Air, or any other tablet or laptop for that matter, apparently aren’t working in the company’s favor, a new report from Digitimes says. The publication says it learned from sources familiar with the upstream supply chain that the Windows maker is already considering discontinuing its Surface tablet line, as Surface Pro 3 demand isn’t as hot as expected.
FROM EARLIER: The Surface Pro 3 is about to go global
Sources said that the Surface Pro 3 faces increased competition from large-size smartphones, and that sales might not surpass one million units for Microsoft’s latest tablet model. Furthermore, the company is “not very aggressive” about next-gem Surface development, and is “likely to terminate” the product line.
Older reports have suggested that the second-generation Surface models have been selling well, even though Microsoft has never mentioned any sales numbers for its Surface business. Digitimes says that first- and second-generation Surface tablets have generated losses amounting to $1.7 billion, according to estimates.
On the other hand, Digitimes has not always been accurate in reports based on what it has learned from sources familiar with supply chains, so the publication may be wrong about the future of Microsoft’s tablet business.
