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Surface 3 Stocks Dwindling As Microsoft Plans System's Demise (arstechnica.com)
An anonymous reader writes: Microsoft's Surface 3 may be coming to an end. Brad Sams at Thurrott.com reports that many versions of the Surface 3 are listed as being out of stock in Microsoft's online store, with no expected availability. He notes that the only version in stock online is the version with 2GB RAM/64GB storage/LTE. There's more availability in-store, but stock appears to be limited overall. What this generally means is that manufacturing is slowing down or going to stop entirely. In a statement, Microsoft said: "Since launching Surface 3 over a year ago, we have seen strong demand and satisfaction amongst our customers. Inventory is now limited and by the end of December 2016, we will no longer manufacture Surface 3 devices." It's possible a Surface 3 successor is right around the corner, although Ars Technica notes "there hasn't even been the merest hint of a rumor about such a device." The Surface 3 is being powered by a Cherry Trail Atom processor, which hasn't seen a major upgrade or replacement since they were released in the first quarter of 2015. "Without new processors, there's little reason to update the Surface 3 line," writes Ars. Microsoft could equip the Surface 3 successor with a Core M processor, but the implications of that decision would likely cause the device's price to shoot up or cause the device's quality to significantly decrease. Microsoft may simply abandon the segment entirely and focus strictly on the Surface Pro line.
Why did I put my entire 401k into Surface 3 Stocks?
more i want more
so. much. more.
i just love to jerk off to a picture of trump's smiling face. i'm not even gay! but he really does it for me. so hot!
death to them! Death to them now!
Without new processors, there's little reason to update the Surface 3 line
I guess whoever wrote this article didn't do very much research. Intel is expected to release Apollo Lake (Cherry Trail's successor) in the 2nd half of 2016.
" PRO 3 on Set"
Aren't I supposed to be able to scoop one of these up at bargain basement prices and install Linux now. That's how this is supposed to work. Someone inform Microsoft.
I tried to go cheap and get a Surface 3 a year ago when my latest Android tablet died. A tablet, a laptop. What's not to like? (Ok, it runs Windows...)
I'm sorry to say that the Surface 3 is my worst computer purchase ever. Despite multiple reinstalls, firmware and driver updates, the thing has constant issues. The wifi and video drivers are the primary culprits.
Do yourself a favor and don't buy one of these.
- Necron69
It seems like anything outside of their stranglehold through lock-in (Windows, Office) fails. Honestly, I don't mean this as a troll. But everything from Zune to the Windows phone to this tablet to Bing turns into a flop, or sensationally mediocre. With the possible exception of the Xbox but isn't that because they refuse to stop throwing money at it? (pleading ignorance on that one)
Putting Apple fanboism aside, how is it that Microsoft can fail so consistently with so many products yet Apple seems to fail with so few?
Then they have the hutzpah to pull the Windows 10 telemetry and forced upgrades stuff, both of which should have been handled with some simple, competent PR. Is it so fractured internally that no one person sees these problems as obvious and says "hey, wait a second, we need to think this through"?
And marketing/image...from sweaty Ballmer to the Linux flip-flop to angry cheerleaders ads to the Surface getting called an iPad on national tv, on and on...what are the odds of being a laughing stock consistently for so many years, yet no one takes control and puts a stop to it?
I don't get it, please enlighten.
by the Surface Pro 4. The non-Pros were primarily the ARM counterparts to the Pros. With 3 they ditched ARM. With the 4s, they dropped the non-Pro and added the Book as the high-end and dropped the Pro to be the low-end Surface. Why is anyone surprised that a manufacturer has stopped manufacturing an old product that has been replaced?
That's an interesting thing to think about. There is probably a lesson or two to be learned. I wonder if Apple is more prone to kill off projects BEFORE they launch publicly, if focus groups and such don't go well.
Google has another approach, somewhat. They throw stuff out there, often with the "Beta" marking in earlier years, then publicly acknowledge it didn't well, so they kill of the whole idea. Contrast with Microsoft's statement "Since launching Surface 3 over a year ago, we have seen strong demand and satisfaction amongst our customers". So strong that they're giving up on it. ;)
Three very successful companies, three different approaches (at least Microsoft used to be very successful).
Apple and Microsoft have different relationships with their customer base, of course. Apple has fostered "fans" similar to a sports team would, people who really want to like their products. Microsoft has a customer base who wants the product to work seamlessly with the rest of their Microsoft-based environment, and to say the products are good because that justifies the fact that they spent their company's money buying the Microsoft product.
Microsoft: The Little Company That Couldn't.
Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
Surface 3 Stocks Dwindling As Microsoft Plans System's Demise
Microsoft stock value dwindling as humanity plans Microsoft's demise.
Oh, if only it were so! I do so very much want to outlive Microsoft, just to be able to bask in the sunshine of such a glorious day!
and the hair! The delicately quaffed wave of golden sperm.
Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!