So recently we've seen the remarkable stories on surface, and how well its doing. This quarter, its sales soared again thanks to strong sales from the Surface Pro 3. We've also seen the new Surface 3, which starts at 500$ (I'd go for the 600 version though, since it has double the ram and storage) and it runs full Windows. Its gotten rave reviews, and I think it'll only add the the success Microsoft is having with tablets.

With phones, well not so much. Sales have continued to climb, but marketshare is stagnating. Plus Microsoft could lose billions thanks to a writeoff of the nokia division; if it does happen (and signs are pointing to in, and in that case it'd be Steve Ballmer's fault). And another with its phone division is that there aren't many OEM's making windows phones (one from HTC, two from Acer, and one from samsung; the rest are Nokia Lumia phones). With its tablets, they have HP, Lenovo, Asus, Acer, Samsung, and many more. Its grabbing chuncks of marketshare from Andriod and iOS, and it expected to reach double digitals in the near future (like we're talking in a year or two at most, and considering how late it was to the party, this is actually pretty good).

Anyway I think we should wait for windows 10 before we rush to judgement over windows phone's death, but I wouldn't be placing bets. Anyway make sure to voice your opinions below, and there will be a poll as well.

"sales soared again" and "strong sales" are really vague. How about you show us the numbers, and how they compare to sales of iPads and Android tablets?

You can't compare the two, since the Surface Pro 3 is much more expensive. Anyway sales where 713 million dollars, up 44% YOY. 

If we can't compare the two then what "tablet war" are they fighting? Who are they competing against?

I knew right away when I read the title who the poster was lol. Look I am not really Anti-MS or anything but it is a FACT that their tablet division is just another one of their divisions that leeches off the success of an already established market.

Hell if you want a good windows tablet there a cheaper, more powerful, and more attractive Windows Tablets from dozens of other vendors.

I have read this article yesterday http://www.theverge.com/2015/4/27/8503353/microsoft-nokia-acquisition-troubles that says that MS is losing money on phones, and that Nokia was Ballmer's pet despite Nadella and others opposing it.

I think that in order to succeed in either field they need to seriously beef up their app store. I cannot comment on their home turf, but in EU apps are so few and far between, it really does not pay off to have a Windows device. I had a really nice Lumia 2-3 years ago, but it had no essential apps like banking, parking, sports, betting etc. and still doesn't in most cases. And those that were there were generally more expensive than Apple/Android, or even paid for when their iOS/Android counterparts were free.

But your only comparing one brand. I don't actually know other OEM sales, but total windows tablet sales are 7% market share and expected to climb to over 10% by the end of 2016. Granted I admit nowhere near as big as Android and iOS, but both are starting to lose marketshare, and Microsoft is getting more competitive.

Bill gates himself opposed it. Anyway I really don't know what they're going to do about the app situation. Windows Phone owners are going to have to pray the "universal apps" thing works, otherwise the platform is doomed.

What's the difference between Surface and a touchscreen ultrabook? Not much really. In many ways a windows tablet is an extension of the laptop market. All the people I know with windows tablets essentially use them as laptops. So when you look at windows tablets this way it makes sense that windows should do well with tablets.

With phones it's differen. Phone is not an extension of a market that MS already dominates. Hence outside of supplying business, which doesn't care so much about apps, windows phone will struggle.

Well I could also disagree. The surface pro 3 could be an agreement point, but we have to look at the new surface 3. Its priced like a tablet (starting at 500$) and yes it is more powerful then most tablets but its similarly spec'd. Now yes it runs full windows, but I think it really works. Anyway it varies from person to person.