Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Bests Apple Inc. (AAPL) Here, Hopes to Keep Momentum

It goes without saying that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), under the guidance of CEO Steve Ballmer, has had a rough go of it in both the smartphone and tablet markets. While the company has not been as successful as Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), thanks to the watchful eye of Tim Cook, as well as Jony Ive, you never know what the future holds.

In the United States, there is no denying the fact that Microsoft tablets are not sitting anywhere near the top of the market. The top spot belongs to Apple and its iPad lineup, and this has been the case for quite some time.

This doesn’t mean Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is taking a beating from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in every corner of the world.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Winning Here

According to a recent report by Digitimes, compiled by Miranda Chuang, Adam Hwang and Ocean Chen, Microsoft is outdoing Apple in the Japan tablet market.

The Surface RT was launched in the Japan market in February of this year, and within six weeks it had passed the iPad by.

This is a surprise, to a certain degree, being that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has had pretty good success in the country with its iPhone.

Taiwan Market Next?

Now, Microsoft is hoping for more of the same in the Taiwan market. The company launched the 10.6-inch Windows RT tablet Surface RT and 10.6-inch Windows 8 tablet Surface Pro in this market, hoping to grab onto additional market share in another country far from the United States.

Why so Late?

You may be wondering why Microsoft decided to wait so long to launch these two tablets in Taiwan. After all, these have been available in other parts of the world, including  Japan, since the beginning of the year.

Microsoft Taiwan general manager Davis Tsai noted that “the tablets were launched in later than other markets because of consideration for Microsoft’s Taiwan-based OEM partners.”

While this is good news for Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), one has to wonder if Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is losing any sleep. Let’s face it: Cupertino is not focusing much time on the Japan and Taiwan tablet markets.

Not sure of what the Microsoft tablets bring to the party? Lisa Gade of Mobile Tech Review takes a closer look in the following video.

Pay close attention to the specs of the RT as compared to the iPad. Do you see anything that may attract consumers in markets outside the United States?

Disclosure: none