Connect with us

Editorials

Surface2 and Surface Pro 2: Can Anyone Find Them For Sale?

Published

on

There’s something wrong with Surface, Microsoft’s line of high-end and mid-range 2-in-1s. After announcing updated versions of the tablets to great fanfare last September, the company has returned to keeping quiet about any future plans.

To be fair, that’s the company’s standard operation procedure on hardware. Launch it, ship frequent software updates and firmware fixes, all the while preparing for the next hardware revision. That process I know; that process I understand.

What’s going on with the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 these days doesn’t fit into that recognizable process.

The Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2

The Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2

Since their arrival in October, the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 haven’t just been hard to find; they’ve been perpetually sold out. Even now, a few months after launch, we’re still waiting for Surface stock to stabilize so that users who want the devices can pick one up.

Heading to Microsoft’s own retail store’s website yields little in the way of results. Now, every version of the Surface Pro 2 except for the model the ships with 512GB of storage and 8GB of RAM is sold out and has been off and on for days. Trying to find the device at Best Buy yields similar results, though at least the retailer has more units as the price increases. Even finding the Surface 2, one of the few remaining tablets to running the Windows RT operating system that doesn’t allow users to install desktop applications, is a challenge.

Read: Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 5 Things Buyers Need to Know

This phenomenon is also affecting the Surface’s already fragile ecosystem of accessories and add-ons. Last fall Microsoft announced a new slate of accessories that it promised would make the Surface, Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 a better option for consumers. Of the Type Cover 2, Touch Cover 2, Dock, Car Charger, Power Cover and Wireless Cover attachment only the first three have actually made it to store shelves. Those three are all suffering shortages online and in store, along with the tablets they’re meant to accessorize.

Look, I’m not here declaring that the Surface line is sold out and therefore the iPad finally has the competitor it needs. It’s entirely possible that the $2 billion write-off Microsoft took on the first generation of Surface tablets scared the company into producing too few units of the current Surface models.

What am I’m saying is that this is not exactly a great look for Microsoft. Sure, delaying accessories and not being able to meet demand gets a product a certain amount of respect during the holiday season.

Unfortunately for Microsoft, the holiday season is now over and potential Surface buyers are coming into stores and going online only to be disappointed. Sure, the first time happens they might brush it off. Then, I suspect they’ll think to themselves what the rest of us are already wondering:  “What is going on with Surface?”

9 Comments

9 Comments

  1. FredH

    01/17/2014 at 9:04 pm

    Microsoft online store now has them in stock. Surface 2 32/64 and surface pro 64 gb. The 128 was present earlier on but not now.

  2. Mk

    01/17/2014 at 9:08 pm

    I spent 2 weeks searching for one but finally they are available once again on Microsoft store. They have to step up there game I almost went to an iPad air.

  3. Yee Mei

    01/17/2014 at 10:00 pm

    Why do you bother writing this trivia?
    It’s just pointless

    • hmmm

      01/18/2014 at 4:47 pm

      You are right there…
      Travis is I swear a immature noob.(sorry)

      thousands of products are back ordered every day –
      Apple Android and others all have this problem initially…

      Nobody really knows how well a product will sell in 99% of cases so a slightly conservative
      approach is wise.

      • Travis Pope

        01/22/2014 at 12:47 pm

        The problem here is that these things launched months ago. I’m not saying its selling well. I’m asking what exactly is going on.

        • Jake

          01/25/2014 at 11:28 am

          I appreciate this article man, it’s totally in line with what’s been running through my mind. I just wish we had some answers. I’m beginning to feel like I’m on a wild goose hunt here haha. Been waiting for the 256gb model since Christmas. Also with the recent silent upgrade of the processor, I’m afraid to buy it anywhere but the Microsoft store in fear that I’ll get the earlier model… Can anyone else relate? Is there anyway to make sure you’re getting the latest one?

  4. Matthew browne

    01/18/2014 at 10:46 am

    I’ve been asking myself that very question …I’ve been looking for the surface 2 64 gb will check the website to make sure it’s in stock..

  5. Diana Galloway

    01/20/2014 at 10:17 am

    So frustrating. I want one. I called Microsoft store to find out when they would be available. The response was I had to drive 30 minutes to the store to find out any information. Not very good customer service if you ask me.
    . .

  6. wearing 2 hoodies

    12/19/2016 at 6:12 pm

    I blog quite often and I genuinely thank you for your
    information. The article has truly peaked my interest.
    I will take a note of your website and keep checking
    for new details about once per week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.