Microsoft's new Surface tablet had a "modest" start to sales because of limited availability, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer told French daily Le Parisien.
The world's largest software company put the Surface tablet centre stage at its Windows 8 launch event last month in its fightback against Apple and Google in the exploding mobile computing market.
"We've had a modest start because Surface is only available on our online retail sites and a few Microsoft stores in the United States," Ballmer was quoted as saying.
The new device, which runs a limited version of Windows and Office with a thin, click-on keyboard cover, is being positioned by Microsoft as the ideal combination of PC and tablet that is good for work as well as entertainment.
Ballmer also said 4 million upgrades to Windows 8 were sold in the three days following the system's launch.
The launch of Windows 8 has already raised the hackles of European Union regulators, who warned Microsoft not to repeat the mistake of denying consumers a choice of rival web browsers in its new operating system, in a dispute that has already cost the software giant more than $US1.3 billion in fines.
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