With the Microsoft Surface RT out on the market for over a month now, one can only wonder how many Surface’s were sold. Reports for Q4 range from under 500,000 to over 1 million. These numbers are minuscule compared to the iPad (1 million in the first 28 days) and still tiny compared to the Nexus 7 (around 1 million sold per month), but keep in mind that this a new ecosystem with a limited retail presence.

Right now, you can only find the Microsoft Surface RT online or at a Microsoft Retail store. Keep in mind, there are only 32 Microsoft Stores worldwide.

According to Windows IT Pro, Microsoft is bringing the Surface tablet to many more retail stores in America and across the globe very soon. Originally Microsoft had planned to up its retail presence sometime in early 2013, but now reports are coming in suggesting that they want to speed this up and expand to non-Microsoft retail environments in just a matter of days or a week at most. The idea here is that they will be able to get in on the last minute holiday shopping that takes place in early and mid-December.

With the addition of major retailers to the Surface distribution system, sales have the potential to increase. Furthermore, it would allow for prospective buyers to go and test the Surface before they shell out $500+. Personally, given that the iPad shares the same price tag, being able to try it out at Apple stores is a big advantage over the Surface tablet.

Do you think the Microsoft Surface Tablet lives up to its $500 price tag? Will or have you purchased a Surface Tablet? Let us know in the comments below.

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Naturally, Tim Cook got on the line with his legal counsel as soon as the Microsoft Surface was announced and the promo video was played.

Yes, the video below is outwardly mocking Apple’s approach to the competition, but it’s worth a good laugh. We know that Apple has developed a habit of suing everyone over just about everything, so it would not at all be surprising if the legal team in Cupertino found more than a few “patent infringements” with Microsoft’s new tablet device.

“A square device on a pedestal? Oh my God! We patented that, like, 20 years ago.” And yes, they invented magnets and kickstands too.

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How much will it cost?
Microsoft said that the ARM-based Surface will be competitive with other ARM-based tablets, whereas the Intel-based version will be competitive with Ultrabooks. They weren’t any more specific than that, but I’d guess that the ARM-based one would start in the $499 range and the Intel version would start at $899 or $999.

When will it launch?
The assumption is that Surface will launch alongside Windows 8 later this year, but again, there was no firm commitment on a timeline.

Is there 3G/4G wireless data?
While it’s quite possible that the Surface could be a WiFi-only affair, it’s probably more likely that some sort of 3G/4G connectivity will be on board.

What about the other specs?
We’re told about the storage capacities and that there will be an ARM and an Intel version, but what about the more specific specs? Which processor exactly? How much RAM? What is the battery life? Microsoft refused to comment.

What is that connector on the side?
You may have spotted a MagSafe-like connector on the side of the Surface, but Microsoft didn’t really say what it was for. Is this to charge the tablet or is there something more there? Perhaps it’s also used for transferring data to and from your computer?

Is the keyboard case included?
There are two versions of that keyboard case too. There’s the Touch Cover and then there’s the clicky-clacky Type Cover. Just like how they didn’t talk specifics for price, they didn’t say anything about the keyboards either. My guess is that they are both optional accessories, just like the Smart Cover for the iPad, and they’ll likely retail in the $99 range.

How does that keyboard even work?
It looks like it attaches magnetically, like the iPad Smart Cover, but how does it interface with the tablet? I think I saw a dock connector of some kind, so is the magnet just meant to help line it up more easily? I hope the keyboard doesn’t require its own power source.

What are your thoughts on these questions? And what other questions would you like to see answered by Microsoft?

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