Microsoft’s Surface RT was a tablet that could act as a full PC with an optional keyboard and trackpad skin. The idea was to give people the option to use their tablets as laptops, without having to buy a separate computer.
Apple has released a series of smaller updates to the iPad, while Microsoft has released a series of Surface-like devices. Since then, new Surface computers have been added to the family.
These efforts led to growth. In Microsoft’s most recent fiscal year, the Surface generated $6.7 billion of the company’s total revenue of $198 billion. That’s more than the combined earnings of more than 100 companies in the S&P 500 index.
In fiscal 2022, Surface sales were up its 3%, but it lagged behind other PC efforts. Apple’s nearly $38 billion Mac business grew about 8% over the same period.
Surface computers are not as popular as other computers. Technology industry researcher Gartner estimates that they never captured more than 2.1% of the PC shipment market. Lenovo has a 25% market share, HP 19% and Dell 18%. ..
