Questions surrounding the success or failure of Microsoft’s (MSFT) debut tablet lineup continue to swirl, but the company has made it very clear at this point that it has no plans to release any numbers. Microsoft executives have repeatedly avoided sharing any hard data surrounding the Surface tablet’s performance, and no indication was given on the company’s recent earnings call despite recurring rumors that the first Surface slate flopped. Now, MIT’s Technology Review blog interviewed CEO Steve Ballmer and still couldn’t manage to get anything out of the outspoken executive with regard to Surface sales.
“I’m super-glad we did Surface. I think it is important—and not just for Microsoft but for the entire Windows ecosystem—to see integrated hardware and software,” Ballmer said when asked if he is pleased with the Surface’s sales performance.
While Ballmer refused to share any numbers, he did at least suggest that Microsoft doesn’t have any delusions that the Surface will become a top-selling PC. “Surface is a real business. In an environment in which there’s 350 million PCs sold, I don’t think Surface is going to dominate volume, but it’s a real business,” he said.
BGR recently reviewed the Microsoft Surface Pro and while we saw pricing as a potential barrier once again, we did note that those who opt to purchase the new tablet PC would not be disappointed.
