Microsoft CEO: 'We Built More Devices Than We Could Sell' - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Microsoft CEO: 'We Built More Devices Than We Could Sell'

by

During an internal town hall event earlier this week, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and COO Kevin Turner spoke to employees about the recent $900 million writedown the company took for the Surface RT, reports The Verge.

"We built a few more devices than we could sell," said Ballmer, in reference to slow Surface RT sales. Ballmer also went on to say that the company isn’t happy with its Windows sales, either. "We're not selling as many Windows devices as we want to."

surfacert
Microsoft has been heavily marketing the Surface RT as an iPad competitor in a series of negative advertisements that highlight the Surface RT’s multitasking capabilities, its accessories, and its low price.

Earlier this month, Microsoft was forced to drop the price of its Surface RT tablets by $150, making the base price for the 32 GB tablet just $349, or $449 with a Touch Cover included. Despite the slow sales of the Surface RT, Microsoft is pushing ahead with plans for a second generation tablet.

Top Rated Comments

MetalRCG Avatar
167 months ago
Steve Ballmer needs to just step down.
Score: 47 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
167 months ago
"We thank everyone for their patience, we're making iPads as fast as we can." - Steve Jobs
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
167 months ago
So basically, Microsoft is saying they built more than one Surface?
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johncarync Avatar
167 months ago
Step down? No...stay on.

I think the best thing for Apple (and Google) is if Ballmer stays as CEO of Microsoft.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ValSalva Avatar
167 months ago
"We built a few more devices than we could sell," said Ballmer

At least he has a good grasp on the situation :D
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
167 months ago
People can see thru the negative advertisement and can see what iOS devices can do better than Androids. Stop all this BS advertisement and spend your resources in making a better product!!

Surface doesn't run Android.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Event Logo

Apple Just Released a New Accessory

Monday May 4, 2026 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today released a new Pride Edition Sport Loop for the Apple Watch. The band features a rainbow design with 11 colors of woven nylon yarns. The new Pride Edition Sport Loop is available to order now on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes, and it will be available at Apple Store locations starting later this week. In the U.S., the band costs $49. There...
iOS 26

Apple Says iOS 26.5 Adds Three New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday May 5, 2026 7:36 am PDT by
iOS 26.5 includes three new features for iPhones, according to Apple's release notes for the update, which is expected to be released next week. As discovered during beta testing, iOS 26.5 enables end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging between iOS and Android devices. Apple says this security upgrade is limited to supported carriers around the world and will continue to roll out....
Instagram Feature 2

PSA: Instagram Encrypted Messaging Ends on Friday, May 8

Tuesday May 5, 2026 8:24 am PDT by
Instagram will remove end-to-end encryption for direct messages between users from May 8, 2026. When the date comes around, Meta will potentially be able to see the contents of all messages between users on the social media platform. Encrypting messages has been an optional feature in Instagram since 2023, but in March of this year the social media platform quietly updated a help page to say ...
Related Apple News: Iphone | Ipad | Iphone | Technology | Sport