Microsoft chose not to inform its PC partners about its plans to launch a first party Windows 8 tablet.

That's the take from Reuters which reports the first Acer and Asus saw of its Surface device was at Microsoft's press conference on Monday.

An Acer executive told the news agency, "No senior executives heard about the news last week. We're quite surprised."

In previous years, Microsoft has worked closely with its hardware partners ahead of the release of its major products.

This time, however, the company decided not to broadcast its intention to enter the hardware market as a direct competitor to its partners.

Surface slight

One source told Reuters that there was a "sense of betrayal" in the industry.

Another explained, "This has always been a point of contention between OEMs and Microsoft – Microsoft getting into the hardware space."

Meanwhile, an anonymous executive at a Chinese handset maker said, "It'll be a good strategy for Microsoft to focus on software development and leave its partners to make the hardware."

It would seem Microsoft's Surface strategy has risked its relationships with hardware partners, but by setting the quality bar high with the flagship Windows 8 tablet, PocketGamer.biz's Keith Andrew argues that other OEMs will be forced to follow suit.

And that can only be good news for the Windows 8 platform in the long run.

[source: Reuters]