Microsoft Surface Japan: Microsoft Taking Surface Tablet to Japan

Microsoft Surface Japan: There have been several reports today that the Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Surface tablet may make its way to Japan in the near future. For a device that is struggling to gain traction in the United States, maybe this is exactly what it needs. Maybe a new market will help grow sales and bring renewed hope to the company.

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According to a report by the Nikkei and again by MarketWatch, the device could be made available to the Japanese public as early as March 2013.

The Surface tablet is currently for sale in roughly 20 countries, including the United States and China. While it has been available in the US since October, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is still looking to push it into new markets.

While this may sound like a good move for the Surface tablet, there is no guarantee of success. After all, there are many competitors in Japan including Sony Corp. and Fujitsu Ltd.

Here is more from MarketWatch:

“The tablet is expected to run on the Windows RT operating system, a cheaper version of Windows 8.

Overseas, a 32GB Surface RT tablet is priced at $499, compared with the $599 for a comparable iPad tablet from Apple Inc. In Japan, the 32GB model is expected to be priced at about 50,000 yen.

The display is 10.6 inches, slightly larger than that of the iPad. The Microsoft tablet includes a cover embedded with a keyboard, so it can be used like a notebook PC.”

With a lower price than the popular iPad from Apple, it will be interesting to see if Japanese consumers are attracted to the Surface tablet. One thing is for sure, it is not exactly the same. The Surface comes with a 1.6 inch screen, which is a bit larger than the iPad. Along with this, it has a keyboard cover that allows it to operate more like a laptop and less like a tablet.

What are your thoughts on Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) taking its Surface tablet to Japan? Do you think it will catch on quickly or fizzle out without much of a bang? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Check back here for more updates on Microsoft Surface Japan.

DISCLOSURE: I have no positions in any stock mentioned.

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