Microsoft’s Surface RT tablet proved to be a success in terms of hardware and design, but one major setback is its availability. As you know, Microsoft is only the sole seller of the tablet via its own retail stores, which is probably around 20 in the U.S. Detwiler Fenton, a Boston-based brokerage firm says that the lack of distribution is killing the product. “Mixed reviews and a [$499] starting price tag certainly don’t help, but lack of retail exposure at Best Buy and others is severely depressing sales,” the firm said.
But the situation could change soon, as we are hearing reports that Microsoft is expanding Surface to retailers this holiday season. Microsoft blogger Paul Thurrott claims that an unnamed Microsoft source told him that the company is planning to launch the initiative “within days.” It is still unclear where Surface will appear. Best Buy could be one of them, and Verizon too. Just last month, we wrote to you about a Verizon customer who happened to spot a demo of a Surface tablet in store. The manager reportedly said that Microsoft had been keeping it quiet and that they would be selling it soon.