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Microsoft's Surface Hub Is a 'Hit', Demand Outstrips Supply (petri.com)

Posted by msmash on from the point-of-view dept.

Microsoft said on Thursday that it has sold over 500 units of the Surface Hubs, a number that apparently "exceeded" the company's initial forecasts. In a statement to Microsoft-centric blog Petri, the company said: "Demand for Surface Hubs is very strong and exceeded initial forecasts. To date, we've shipped to over 500 customers worldwide and that number continues to grow. We are ramping up production to meet this strong demand via our partner reseller channel as soon as possible. Customers are encouraged to speak with their sales representative if interested in ordering Surface Hubs." For a refresh, the Surface Hub is a giant all-in-one Windows 10 computer which retails at a starting price point of $8,999 for the 55-inch model, and goes all the way up to $21,999 for the 84-inch model.

3 of 67 comments (clear)

  1. First make 10, then write story about demand. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting

    Come to find out everybody really wants all of this great US government spyware in their homes.

    Damn.

  2. 500 UNITS or 500 CUSTOMERS? by mmell · · Score: 4, Interesting
    In this day and age, there could be a huge difference. For example, if one of those customers were a large employer purchasing machines for offices in a geographic region, one customer could well acquaint to several dozen units.

    Of course, five hundred of either is hardly enough business volume to justify being unable to fulfill demand. The thing isn't exactly new and cutting-edge technology (unless they've found a way to make the microphones work correctly, or to clean up remote audio, or even to correct for the fact that most of humanity are not cinematographers and have no idea how to compose or light a scene for video transmission).

    Teleconferencing looks great on television - but there's a reason it hasn't already caught on like wildfire. Hint: it's because on television there is at least one director and/or one cinematographer to make it look right. In reality, most people can't even frame a snapshot correctly.

  3. Limited demand by Trachman · · Score: 1, Interesting

    They might have sold 50,000 units. It does not matter much.

    The truth is that while there is a niche for product, the fact is that people will not be able to work on one screen for a long time. What this product is really a digital whiteboard (to produce corporate cave paintings) and high quality video teleconference device. That is about it.

    If they think there will be other uses, then they need to get this: they might have resolved tons of technical challenges, kudos for that, but human psychology is far far more complicated. Unlike kids playing in a sandbox, people cannot work in a close contact with each other for a long time.

    And for a whiteboard and videoconferencing device this thing is way too pricey.

    Kudos MS for trying something that Apple decided not to.