UPDATE: Since this story was published, Microsoft has revealed UK pricing for its ARM-based Surface tablets, with prices starting from £399.
Microsoft expects to sell somewhere between 3 to 5 million Surface tablets during the device's first quarter on sale, with mass production currently underway.
That's according to the Wall Street Journal, which claims sources 'familiar with the situation' have gained access to the American giant's initial orders with its Asian suppliers.
If the figures are accurate, it suggests Microsoft is especially bullish about Surface's chances at retail.
Running with the big boys
To put the order in some context, Google projected 2012 sales for its Nexus 7 tablet to hit 3 million, with the tablet already the best selling Android slate on the market in the UK having gone on sale in July.
The Wall Street Journal's sources also claim that Apple has put in an order for the production of 10 million iPads Minis for Q4. The paper states production has already begun, lending further weight to rumours to Apple will launch a small-form iPad this month.
As for Surface, TechCrunch claims US prices for the ARM-based Windows RT range have been accidentally been published by Microsoft, with the 32GB unit devoid of a touch cover coming in at $499.
In comparison, the lowest-spec new iPad is also priced at $499, though it sports half the memory at 16GB.
The touch cover equipped 32GB Surface will retail for $599, with the top-end 62GB SKU coming in at $699. UK and European prices are yet to be revealed.
[source: Wall Street Journal]
Top Stories
News
11 hours, 49 minutes ago
PocketGamer.biz Podcast Week in Views E10 - Brawl Stars smashes 2023 revenue, Square Enix’s extraordinary losses, and Haaland signs for Clash of Clans
News
May 3rd, 2024
Week in Views - Apple back themselves bigstyle, Clash bags Haaland and dreams come true at King
News
May 3rd, 2024
Week in Views - Apple back themselves bigstyle, Clash bags Haaland and dreams come true at King
News
May 3rd, 2024
Mobile Movers: All the latest appointments and job moves from around the industry
Events
LA Games Conference 2024 | North America | May 6th |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 7th |
Valencia Indie Summit 2024 | Europe | May 16th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
WN Conference Istanbul 2024 | Jun 11th | |
DevGAMM Vilnius 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |
Develop: Brighton 2024 | Europe | Jul 9th |