Microsoft estimated lost $1.7 Billion on Microsoft Surface Tablets

[froggyboy604]

I hope Microsoft is committed to its Surface products for the long haul, because it appears to have a lot of ground to make up — not just in market share and sales, but in profit. Based on Microsoft’s financial filings, Computerworld’s Greg Keizer estimates Microsoft has lost $1.7 billion on Surface so far.

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The estimated $1.7 billion lost on MS Surface tablets proves there is not room left for new tablets like the Surface. 

Most buyers who want a nicer tablet will buy the Apple iPad, and buyers who want to buy a cheaper tablet will buy a Google Android tablet which can be bought for $60-99 and up. 

I bet most of the other Windows 8 tablets made by other companies are not doing very well because of their high price, and small library of touchscreen apps compared to iOS and Android which has many more Apps than Windows 8. Many people also prefer tablets with a familiar user interface which are easy to use  and look the same like their iPhone, or Google Android Smartphone's operating system. 

 

[Demon_Skeith]

maybe they didn't advertise it right?

 

[Lleyn]

Nah, the tablet market is just saturated. People that don't want to take risks will go for expensive tablets like the iPad or the Galaxy Tab. Those that know cheaper tablets can perform nearly as well as the expensive ones will go for cheaper ones (maybe not the $60-$99 but the $75-$125 ones like the Zenithink that also come with a HDMI output).

 

[IntoxNitram]

Bit of a shame really. There are a lot of critics of Windows 8 from people that do not like change. I have a Windows 8 laptop and love it. I can see how it would work fantastically on both tablet and mobile too. The next phone I get will be running Windows 8 and I would get a Windows tablet too if I found the need for one. It is a shame the change puts people off as I think Microsoft have a lot more stable OS than Android. 

 

[froggyboy604]

Nah, the tablet market is just saturated. People that don't want to take risks will go for expensive tablets like the iPad or the Galaxy Tab. Those that know cheaper tablets can perform nearly as well as the expensive ones will go for cheaper ones (maybe not the $60-$99 but the $75-$125 ones like the Zenithink that also come with a HDMI output).

I agree the tablet market is very saturated, and people buy what is familiar to them like iPad or Galaxy Tabs. People who look for value priced tablets may go on eBay, and find dual-core tablets selling for as cheap as $99 or less which can run most Apps, and games in the Google Play Apps store.

I read on blogs that local brands are selling the most devices in some local markets like how China's Xiaomi is the top smartphone seller in China, and India's Micromax sells the most smartphones in India.  Both Xiaomi and Micromax also make tablets, so they are probably selling a lot of tablets as well like smartphones to locals. Local brands are also cheaper while offering the same or better performance compared to American, Japanese, and South Korean electronics brands.

Plus, people may more likely buy from local brands which a friend, or relative works for since friends and relatives may help promote their employer's tablets and smartphones to people they know because they are loyal to the company, or believe in the good value of the products they help build at an electronics factory.