Microsoft sales figures for surface are awful.

[Gary]

According to the report, Microsoft's total Surface revenue for all of fiscal 2013 amounted to just $853m. That's nearly $50m less than the $900m charge Redmond took when it discounted its remaining Surface RT inventory by $150 per box.

And that's not all. That $900m writedown was related to Surface RT only, but the $853m revenue figure includes sales of Surface RT and Surface Pro combined.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/07/30/microsoft_surface_sales_disaster/

[Simon]

Oh dear... 

[Steve]

They were rather late arriving at the party, with the iPad and Android platforms well established, not that it makes me feel sorry for them though.

[nowster]

Microsoft "jumped the shark" several years ago, I'm afraid.

[Technical Ben]

A friend almost got one for the fact it has office, so he could use it for "work". I've no idea how good using the touch screen is for work. But if it does become obsolete, it would be expensive to repair, and almost impossible to get software for (apps? What apps?).

No doubt it's a nice little tab, but a netbook/android pad would be cheaper, and less risky a buy. Though I'd not put him off getting one for home use, as it should sit there looking nice and playing video/surfing the net as long as they need.

[pctech]

We have an RT and Pro in the office.

I was quite interested in the Pro as I've been looking for years for a lightweight laptop but they are somewhat heavier than they appear and the one we have is equipped with a 1.7 Ghz Core i5 which is capable but wouldn't worry my desktop.

I did notice though they become quite warm and as there's no active cooling I do wonder how long it will be till we see the equivalent of the Red Ring of Death.

[Gary]

We have an RT and Pro in the office.

I was quite interested in the Pro as I've been looking for years for a lightweight laptop but they are somewhat heavier than they appear and the one we have is equipped with a 1.7 Ghz Core i5 which is capable but wouldn't worry my desktop.

I did notice though they become quite warm and as there's no active cooling I do wonder how long it will be till we see the equivalent of the Red Ring of Death.

Soon you will be able to pave your garden with them the way the price keeps falling. 

[Steve]

I wonder will they run an Android version?

[Glenn]

You most likely can, it runs on an iPhone apparently http://www.techsmasher.com/how-to-install-android-on-iphone/

[zappaDPJ]

I was talking to the owner of a local specialist PC sales & repair shop about Surface and Windows 8 yesterday. I was quite surprised to hear him say that Microsoft are pushing ahead with the next generation of the tablet. Apparently they think its saviour will be the launch of the Outlook app?

What didn't surprise me so much was to hear the ratio of Windows 7/8 sales in his shop is 5-6/1 in favour of Windows 7 which he reckons is common within specialist shops. In fact he said it's a major factor in increased sales of new PCs from his outlet at a time when PC sales are in rapid decline. There's obviously a lot of people out there who prefer Windows 7 and I must admit, I'm one of them.

[Glenn]

I use 8 at work but 7 or 8 at home.

[zappaDPJ]

I recently used Windows 8 for a few days on someone else's PC and I have to admit it drove me nuts. To be fair it was someone else's PC and they had it set up as they wanted it which may well have be the cause of much of my frustration but to have the PC continually dropping out of the desktop into Windows 8 tiled start screen almost made me scream!

[pctech]

I hate supporting it, thankfully MS has left most of the exe file names alone so for example I can guide someone to the Control Panel by saying 'Press Windows and R and then type Control and click OK'

[Glenn]

Just press Win + X and select it or move the mouse into the bottom left corner and right click.

[pctech]

Yes sorry just gave that as an example.

I really don't know why MS couldn't give the customer the choice.