14 DAY TRIAL // The Surface tablet/laptop has become the best-selling device in Microsoft’s portfolio, with the company’s Q2 FY2016 financial results showing that the lineup experienced an increase of 29 percent, partially thanks to the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book.
During the same quarter, Windows Phone device revenues dropped 49 percent as part of Microsoft’s new strategy for the mobile industry, which is living proof that the company’s long-term plan for the Surface proved to be more successful than for Lumia.
In a conference call with investors following the financial report, Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella has explained that the Surface tablet has become a successful product in both the consumer and the enterprise market. This was possible not only thanks to the powerful hardware that comes with the Surface tablet but also thanks to Windows 10, which greatly improves functionality in both desktop and tablet models.
“Surface is playing an increasing role for us in both consumer as well as in the enterprise market. And also we just, we created a new category of 2-in-1s where even our OEMs are finding success, which was one of our strategic objectives of doing the Surface,” Nadella explains.
Maximum productivity
The CEO then went on to explain that the device is just the right replacement for a typical laptop, offering what could be the best productivity features you can find right now on the market.
“And so overall, we do think that this tablet that can replace your laptop is ideally suited for productivity needs, which means it's great for your personal use as well as your use inside of the enterprise, and we continue to see good growth,” he said.
Certainly, Microsoft has made an excellent job of turning the Surface from a flop (as the Surface RT was often referred to in 2012 when it was launched) into one of the most successful products in its lineup. The Surface is now driving Microsoft’s hardware sales forward, and the company is really keen on improving the device with significant upgrades likely to come later this year.