Microsoft Surface to go on sale through third party retailers

ASPIRING HARDWARE DESIGNER Microsoft has announced plans to start selling its Surface tablet through third party retailers in the US.

Microsoft said it plans to start offering the tablet through more outlets in the US, although it didn't specify where. However, both Staples and Best Buy have confirmed that they will soon start selling the Microsoft Surface RT from mid-December.

Steve Schueler, corporate VP of Microsoft Retail Sales said, "Our plan has been to expand the retail presence for Surface after the first of the year. Based on interest from retailers, we are giving them the option to carry Surface with Windows RT even earlier."

Microsoft has hinted that the Surface will soon be available through third party retailers in the UK too.

It said, "Surface will continue to be available for purchase at all Microsoft retail stores in the United States and Canada and online in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.

"Based on the success of the Microsoft holiday stores, the company will extend all of these locations into the new year."

"These stores will transition into either permanent brick-and-mortar retail outlets or specialty store locations."

Unfortunately, Microsoft has remained schtum on the volume of Surface tablet sales so far.

"The public reaction to Surface has been exciting to see. We've increased production and are expanding the ways in which customers can interact with, experience and purchase Surface," said Panos Panay, general manager for Microsoft Surface. µ