Earlier this week Microsoft announced certain third party stores around the world would be selling the Microsoft Surface tablet before Christmas. We found out about a couple of US and Australian chain stores that would stock the Surface “as soon as mid-December” but we guessed that the UK would be included in the following catchall statement: “additional availability will be added in a number of countries in the coming months”. However portable computing website Pocket Lint has now received confirmation that John Lewis department stores will be selling the Microsoft Surface starting from today, Friday 14th December.
Two year guarantee at no extra cost
John Lewis informed Pocket Lint that “Always first with the latest technology, John Lewis is delighted to announce that it will be the first high street retailer in the UK to offer the Microsoft Surface from the 14 December 2012 and with a two-year guarantee included at no extra cost”. The company said that the Surface will be available online today and starting from Saturday you will be able to buy one in store. This weekend will be the first opportunity for many UK residents to see the Microsoft Surface in the flesh. John Lewis has a pretty good selection of computers and tablets on offer and it will be interesting to see how the Surface fares against the competition in close quarter combat!
The department store will, it seems, only be offering two Microsoft Surface packages. You will be able to choose from either the Microsoft Surface 32GB with Black Touch Keyboard at £479 or the Microsoft Surface 64GB with Black Touch Keyboard at £559, both with the aforementioned two-year guarantee. It’s a shame there isn’t more colourful variety, or a type-cover on offer, but it’s at least a start.
Windows 8 sales indications
John Lewis also mentioned, in its statement to Pocket Lint, that “Demand for Windows 8 computers has been phenomenal with touch screen models leading the way”. This, the online magazine feels, may be the reason Microsoft has chosen the department store as the first UK third party seller.
At the time of writing I can see the above two Microsoft Surface packages listed upon the John Lewis site, but both are flagged as “out of stock”. Whether it’s been available and sold out earlier this morning, or the stock will be activated later in the day I do not know.
