The Surface is off to a "modest" start, according to Microsoft. Looks like all those adverts don't signal the death of the iPad just yet.
Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer admitted that the Surface is off to a relatively slow start to French newspaper Le Parisien. Although he doesn't quote numbers, it seems those pesky clicky adverts coming at you from everywhere you bloomin' look haven't translated into boffo business for the Windows 8 tablet.
Ballmer is known to be cautious about sales, admitting last year that Windows Phone was "very small". But he did reveal this week that Microsoft has sold 4 million upgrades to Windows 8 in the first three days since the new software went on sale last month.
Still, considering that upgrading only costs £25 and there are upwards of 1.25 billion Windows users in the world, that doesn't sound like very many to me. Anyway, if you do want to get in on the Windows 8 action, here's our guide to upgrading to Windows 8 from Windows 7.
No other tablet has yet managed to crack the magic marketing formula of the iPad, but Apple's tablet is under fire from both directions: the full-size, Office-packing Surface, and the super-cheap Google Nexus 7.
By virtue of being a superb slate and costing tuppence ha'penny the Google Nexus 7 has sold more than 3 million -- but Apple shifted the same number of new iPad with retina display and iPad mini tablets on their first weekend on sale. Admittedly, they are slightly different propositions, but it does show that for the average person, 'tablet' means 'iPad' and vice versa. Which is a shame, because both the Nexus and Surface have a lot to offer -- and for me, the new-look Windows live tile interface makes iOS look dated.
Have you bought -- or tried and decided against -- a Surface? Do the Nexus and the Surface have what it takes to topple the iPad, or does Apple have the tablet market sewn up? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 20
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anonymous 12 November, 2012 12:18
I'm coming from an unbiased point of view, I don't own any! So please hear me out. I have friends who own all and they're all great. But theirs something Apple has that they don't, overall experience, now my android friend wouldn't budge to admit that but the iOS as a whole has more quality as of now. Yes it may look dated(to me on the iPad it does) but that's it's look. If you want weather or updates you submerge yourself not an app. Now the market share has been gaining on the iPad, but not because of a certain competitor, but because, we'll, everyone's making a tablet.. And all those tablets do add up.! I'm thinking if getting an iPad mini, yes everyone claims its over priced, but think about it, it's not Apples fault other companies decide to sell their products at a loss... Plus, I love apps, and lots of them... Thank you fr reading
anonymous 12 November, 2012 12:21
*******CORRECTION******
anonymous
I'm coming from an unbiased point of view, I don't own any! So please hear me out. I have friends who own all and they're all great. But theirs something Apple has that they don't, overall experience, now my android friend wouldn't budge to admit that but the iOS as a whole has more quality as of now. Yes it may look dated(to me on the iPad it doesn't) but that's it's look. If you want weather or updates you submerge yourself into an app. Now the market share has been gaining on the iPad, but not because of a certain competitor, but because, we'll, everyone's making a tablet.. And all those tablets do add up.! I'm thinking if getting an iPad mini, yes everyone claims its over priced, but think about it, it's not Apples fault other companies decide to sell their products at a loss... Plus, I love apps, and lots of them... Thank you fr reading
Jamie Beardface Weston 12 November, 2012 12:34
Might only be 4 million devices updated but thats still best parts of £100 million in the kitty, decent business that
damien2501 12 November, 2012 13:06
I like windows 8 tablets but I can't see them succeeding unfortunately. People perceive them as either corporate or a bit sad. Android is cool and ios is slick
anonymous 12 November, 2012 13:16
Apple did not decide to sell their product at a loss, but they did decide to sell their product at a 30%-40% markup. Maybe if their pricing was less aggressive, they would get less flack, but I guess the number one rule of sales when it comes to premium priducts is 'Charge what you can get away with'
Kevin Partner 12 November, 2012 13:24
The Nexus and Kindle Fire series aren't intended, in my view, primarily to steal the iPad audience, they're creating a new market for the majority of the buying public for whom £400 is too much to spend on a device that will be used, in the main, for sofa surfing and keeping the kids entertained. I have both an iPad and a Nexus7, the former essentially belongs to my 6 year old whereas the latter is my constant companion both for work and play. And I love the idea that even Apple fans are acknowledging the datedness of the iOS look (whilst claiming it doesn't matter). Personally, I love my weather widget.
Peter Hudson 12 November, 2012 14:14
Really Damien? Android is seen as Cool? Really?
damien2501 12 November, 2012 14:27
Yeah Peter Hudson. Android is like the anti Apple look at me I don't wanna have any security or rules
anonymous 12 November, 2012 15:17
Microsoft's first Surface is a big miss for me, and judging by sales a big miss for most other people. It was crippled from the very beginning by not being able to run window programs. In essence that makes it a direct competitor to the iPad, but unable to fill any void in the iPad. I have Windows 8 on the desktop and generally like it, but its metro programs are a joke when compared to window programs and/or their iOS counterparts. Without high quality Apps the system is useless. Couple that with the false advertisement of 32 gigs when only 16 gigs are available and you have another failing...it appears overpriced when compared to an iPad. Another factor is the delayed introduction of the model that WILL run Windows legacy programs. That is the only model I am interested in and will likely buy if the Atom processor they put in it has enough power to run legacy programs smoothly, has ample battery life, enough memory and isn't over priced.
anonymous 12 November, 2012 17:58
I simply can not believe damien2501 thinks android is cool! Damien are you ok?
damien2501 12 November, 2012 18:55
I think people perceive android as cool
anonymous 12 November, 2012 21:42
The big push with the Microsoft Surface seems to be its keyboard. So, basically, it's a touchscreen laptop with almost no apps. Add to that Microsoft's "neato" ad campaign that looks like it comes out of the 1970s and it's no wonder Microsoft misses yet again in its attempt at the consumer market. (Remember those Sienfeld ads and that Kin ad campaign?) Microsoft is reduced to playing catch-up, but they're too far behind.
anonymous 12 November, 2012 21:48
The question isn't, "does the Nexus have what it takes to topple iPad?" -- the question is "does the Nexus, and hundreds of other Android tablets, have what it takes to topple the iPad?" The answer is "yes," and the proof of that is that iPad is barely clinging on to 50% of the tablet market share. Android tablets will overwhelm the iPad, in the same way that Android phones overwhelmed the iPhone. It's inevitable. (Worldwide smartphone market, Android 75%, iOS 15%.)
Meleagru 13 November, 2012 07:00
I don't know why anyone would call windows 8 an upgrade. At best it's a face change. And not something people really asked for. Inertia is finally running out for old Microsoft.
anonymous 13 November, 2012 08:15
@Meleagru its an upgrade because:
A) it has over 800 improvments over windows 7
B) Its about 300 times safer the windows 7
C) its a hell of a lot faster then windows 7
anonymous 13 November, 2012 10:10
Android is cool, I agree. I need functionality, not rounded corners. Is it not as slick as iOS? I never noticed that, I use an HTC Desire S (not a high end android device) and an iPad 2 on daily basis.
The iPad would be probably faster if I swipe screens over and over like crazy, but honestly I have better thing to do ;)
anonymous 13 November, 2012 13:36
Reason sales are low is because its overpriced, very very stupid pricing it against the i-pad, should have cost £ 250.00 with the lid and no more.
anonymous 13 November, 2012 16:45
I think that people need to stop pretending that CNET is a website for tech people. A quick look at any comments page shows that it clearly is not. It's just a place for folk to moan about Android and Windows (usually by saying fashionable things that aren't actually true) and get reactions from people who then whine about Apple.
One thing I like about CNET UK is that you can post comments and interact, but, honestly, they'd may as well shut down the comments sections
anonymous 16 November, 2012 15:20
I upgrade my MSI laptop i7, 8 gig ram, SSD drive, has crashed 9 times. One upgrade and two fresh installs later going back to Windows 7. Not going to buy another machine just for windows 8.
mike01hu 19 November, 2012 19:22
I need to run legacy software, so the LT version does not fit the bill but I love the touch interface, having had a HP touch pad for a few years. Pen enabled apps are a must and this is born out by the Galaxy Note 10.1 that I also own, a real iPad beater. Apple? . . . good eating and better crushed and fermented!