Pre-orders for the Microsoft Surface tablet slated to ship on October 26 have sold out for U.S. customers.
Initial Microsoft Surface orders are also delayed for eager buyers in the UK. After pre-ordering the latest Windows tablet online, UK customers are receiving confirmation emails stating, "The release date for the preorder product has changed." Orders are scheduled to ship on November 2, according to an Engadget report.
Some disappointed customers lamented on Twitter about the delay.
Got an email from Microsoft. No Surface for me until Nov 2. How disappointing.— Michael Butler (@GunnerMichael) October 20, 2012
WTF, my Surface RT preorder release date changed to Nov 2. Gawd, Microsoft IS still a software (and NOT devices) company!— Jason Miller (@jason_miller) October 20, 2012
On the Microsoft Surface pre-order page, you'll be able to see the tablets' prices, specs and availability. The first shipments of the $499 32GB tablet sold out by the second day of pre-orders, and is now backordered for up to three weeks. The 32GB and 64GB Surface tablets with Black Touch Cover for $599 and $699, respectively, will ship within one to two weeks.
Microsoft Surface designers had one goal in mind: creating "something that doesn't exist today." Inside the slim and durable tablet's titanium and Vapor Magnesium (VaporMG) shell is 2GB of RAM, Bluetooth 4.0 capabilities, an accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, dual microphones, stereo speakers, USB 2.0 port and a micro SD slot. All models of the Surface are Wi-Fi only.
Microsoft placed an initial order of 3 million to 5 million units of the Surface in the fourth quarter, according to The Wall Street Journal. Along with Apple, Amazon and Google, Microsoft will be competing for strong end-of-year sales of tablet devices. Microsoft's large order matches that of Amazon's revamped Kindle Fire tablets and Google's Nexus 7 tablets.
The Surface, off to a great start, will be competing with Apple's iPad Mini, widely speculated to be revealed at the Cupertino-based company's invite-only event on October 23. The WSJ report also cites Apple having placed an order for 10 million iPad Mini tablets for the same quarter. The Surface will be available online and at more than 65 Microsoft stores and pop-up locations nationally, plus eight international locations.
Are you planning to buy a new tablet this year? Tell us in the comments which models you're thinking about purchasing.
Bonus: Key Microsoft Surface Tablet Details