Good for MS, now i can't wait to see how well the next xbox does when it comes out. I don't think Windows 8 tablets will flop or the Surface i think they will be successful in the fact that mainstream people will buy them while "techy" people (less than 1% of consumers) will complain and bitch about anything MS comes out with. Probably the same people who praise Android and Apple.

I support MS more than i would support Apple (never) or Android ( one or two purchases)

And to think, it will look like when iPad Mini comes out next week, and the same when the Wii U comes out. I wonder how people have so much money to buy things like this!

Yeah but you still wouldn't make highly unrealistic predictions, such as claiming that windows tablets will easily outsell the iPad after just one year on the market or saying that "MS will own everything in just a few years".

What if the pre-order shipment was really supply constrained to artificially create the perception that this device is hot? What if it was only 20,000 units released worldwide? Would anyone still be impressed?

Like someone above said, these lines of people concentrated to one midnight event have happened in the past for devices we know have struggled, such as the Vita or Nokia's Lumia phones.

I really don't see the Windows RT based tablets doing much in the future for Microsoft. Once consumers realise they're simply running gimped versions of Windows 8 (and with a lot less apps then Android/iOS) they'll just go for a proper Windows 8 tablet/laptop device, an iPad or a cheaper Android tablet.

I do see businesses buying into the concept (of full x86 Windows 8 tablet/laptops), especially for business users that do a lot of travelling and need an easy to use but capable portable device. The problem for Windows 8 though is that the touch interface and the traditional interface are kept fairly separate. For instance, why doesn't the browser retain the session when you switch between interfaces?

Anyway, I don't see Microsoft making any major inroads in the current tablet market, Apple and Google seem to have tied it up between them. However, the current tablet market isn't really catering to business users and I think this is where Microsoft will make significant gains. It's an untapped market segment.

Really?

Windows 8 is pretty good value. On the high end by the time you get an iPad with 64GB of space and 4G support you can pretty much get a significantly higher performance Pro tablet with way better specs and storage. On the low end of the scale you can get something which runs a lot better than Android.

In the mid range the Surface offers a pretty decent value compared to the iPad. The device itself definitely has some strong pros such as the built in kickstand and touch cover even if the device itself doesn't match the specs of the iPad it is reasonably close enough.

The only problem really is the low end as there really isn't a 'great' competent tablet in the market to compete with the 7" Androids and 7.9" iPad mini.

Overall I suspect that Windows RT is more of a problem for Android market share than Apples given that it is a more competent alternative.

But without being horrible your predictions arent grounded in reason. 

Why?

Microsoft have never made an attempt in te tablet market where your figures come from. They actually mean nothing concerning what is about to play out.

This is the first time Microsoft has made Windows into a full fledged Tablet OS. And the first time Microsfot have made there own hardware where there flagship OS is pushed.

On top of that Surface RT was sold out before it went on sale.

Vita wasnt sold out before it launched.