Microsoft CEO: 'We Built More Devices Than We Could Sell' - MacRumors
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
166 months ago
Steve Ballmer needs to just step down.
Score: 47 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
166 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
166 months ago
So basically, Microsoft is saying they built more than one Surface?
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johncarync Avatar
166 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
166 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
166 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

macOS 27 on MacBook Pro

macOS 27 Will Mark the End of an Era

Saturday April 18, 2026 6:45 am PDT by
During its Platforms State of the Union segment at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that macOS 26 Tahoe is the final major macOS version for Intel-based Macs. The upcoming macOS 27 release will be compatible with Apple silicon Macs only, meaning that you will need a Mac with an M-series chip or a MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip in order to install the software update. macOS 27 should be available...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple Says CarPlay Ultra is Coming to These Vehicle Brands

Saturday April 18, 2026 5:59 am PDT by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly a year later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. CarPlay Ultra...
Tim Cook Rainbow

Apple CEO Tim Cook Stepping Down, John Ternus Taking Over

Monday April 20, 2026 1:33 pm PDT by
Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple's chief executive officer, and hardware engineering chief John Ternus is set to take over, Apple announced today. Cook will continue on as Apple CEO through the summer, with Ternus set to join Apple's Board of Directors and take over as CEO on September 1, 2026. Cook is going to transition to executive chairman, and he will "assist with certain...