Microsoft has been having somewhat of a difficult time convincing the masses to abandon Android and Apple for its Surface RT tablet which is being heavily marketed both on TV and online.
Gartner analyst Mikako Kitagawa says tablets have dramatically changed the device landscape for PCs by causing users to shift consumption to tablets rather than replacing older computers.
Sales of Microsoft's Windows 8 RT tablet may be less-than-stellar, but Redmond remains determined to promote its flagship tablet in mainstream retail stores.
The current console cycle may be coming to an end, but that hasn't stopped Crytek from squeezing every last drop of horsepower from the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.
Nintendo's Wii U console is currently flying off the shelves, but outspoken Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter doesn't believe the system is ultimately capable of competing against Sony's PS4 or Microsoft's Xbox 720.
Microsoft's Intel x86 Windows 8 Surface Pro tablet apparently boasts only half the battery life of the less expensive Surface RT which is powered by Nvidia's power-conscience (ARM) Tegra chip.
A strong competitive market - including surging Android tablet shipments and robust demand for Apple's iPad mini - has prompted analysts at IDC to revise their 2012 projection for the worldwide tablet market.
A joint effort by Microsoft and Intel to challenge Apple's wildly popular iPad in the highly lucrative tablet market seems to have gotten off to a very slow start.
Lackluster demand may have prompted Microsoft to significantly slash orders of its Surface RT tablet, but that hasn't stopped Redmond from planning additional mobile hardware.
Nintendo may have recently rolled out its next-gen Wii U console, but it will be a year until Microsoft launches its long-awaited Xbox 720 in time for 2013 holiday season.
Microsoft has confirmed pricing for its Intel x86-powered Surface tablet: $899 for the 64GB standalone iteration and $999 for the 128GB standalone version. Both will be available in January 2013.
