That new focus on Microsoft as a productivity company could spell the end for projects like Surface Mini, or even the larger ARM-based versions of Surface. Calculations by Computerworld suggest that Microsoft has lost $1.7 billion on Surface hardware, including the $900 million write-off for the Surface RT last year. That’s a huge loss for something Nadella describes as an effort to “stimulate more demand for the entire Windows ecosystem.” Microsoft has thrown similar amounts of cash at Xbox over the years, but the Xbox 360 sales have proven there’s demand for Microsoft’s games consoles.
—Tom Warren, The Verge
Microsoft has lost $1.7 billion on Surface hardware. Well done!
I’m trying to remember if Apple ever lost money on the iPad?
Oh that’s right, they never did.