Surface Pro 128GB Tablet Sold Out: Microsoft, Best Buy, Staples?
Microsoft’s new Surface Pro tablet (128GB edition) running Windows 8 Pro apparently is sold out at Microsoft Store, Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) and Staples (NASDAQ: SPLS) online stores. The anecdotal reports come from Paul Thurrott’s Windows SuperSite. Today is the first day Surface Pro has been available for purchase at retail locations. So what’s the upshot for channel partners? Here’s a four-point reality check from The VAR Guy.
Thurrott’s blog noted:
“The Surface Pro 128 GB is now listed as “out of stock” at the Microsoft Store and Staples. At the time of this writing,Best Buy reports having them for sale, but readers who attempted this purchase tell me this isn’t the case.”
Good news for Microsoft. But The VAR Guy’s four key questions:
1. What Were Inventories? Of course it’s impressive that the high-end Surface Pro tablet has sold out. But how many devices did the retailers actually have on hand? Did Microsoft limit retailer inventories? Before the blogosphere pursues conspiracy theories it sounds like Microsoft does have a first-day hit on its hands. Anecdotal reports suggest consumers have lined up to buy Surface.
2. Is This Sustainable? Strong first-day sales is great news for Surface Pro and Microsoft. But the software giant has to avoid Hollywood Syndrome: You know the scenario… A heavily hyped movie opens big during its first weekend, only to see ticket sales plummet in the days and weeks ahead. The VAR Guy doesn’t know if Surface Pro will maintain long-term momentum. Best guess: This tablet will definitely give Apple iPad a run for its money.
3. Will Partners Cash In? Sure, retailers are happy. But channel partners — VARs and IT services providers — have been left out of the Surface Pro and RT party so far. Which channel partners will profit first? The likely answer involves:
- MSPs that offer mobile device management (MDM) for BYOD devices, because consumers will soon be carrying Surface Pros into work.
- VARs that specialize in vertical markets. As consumer sales continues, it’s a safe bet businesses will begin testing Surface Pro for health care, financial services, insurance and other types of mobile touch applications.
4. Has Microsoft Ultimately Proved Surface Critics Wrong? Surface Pro received mixed reviews, with most critics expressing concerns about pricing (too high), battery life (too short) and storage (too limited by all of Microsoft’s preinstalls). But let’s go back to another Hollywood example: We’ve all seen critics give a movie mixed to poor reviews, only to see the movie become a blockbuster or cult classic.
At least for today Microsoft is definitely proving its critics wrong.