Fewer than 1 million Surface RTs will have sold in Q4

Analysts have predicted Microsoft will total fewer than 1 million Surface RT sales by the end of the fourth quarter – the debut quarter for the device.

While critical opinion may remain divided on the Surface RT, both in the KYM office and in reviews across the web, the low sales figures speak louder.

Previous reports indicate that a lack of units shifted prompted Microsoft to cut orders from suppliers by half and bring the Windows 8-powered Surface Pro release forward.

Analysts from US broker Detwiler Fenton have revealed predictions that Microsoft will sell around 500,000 to 600,000 Surface RTs for 2012’s Q4, miles short of the company’s predicted 1-2 million – although it’s worth pointing out Microsoft didn’t specify a timeframe for that estimate.

Key factors, according to the analyst reports, include poor distribution, mixed reviews and a retail price that’s a bit too steep, allegedly.

The distribution seems to be a particular stumbling block, with the Surface RT not appearing on the shelves of big-name retailers.

This must have been a deliberate decision by Microsoft,  with the company primarily selling the hybrid slate through its own webstore - probably to appease partner OEMs - but clearly it was not the best move.

However, this is just one firm's viewpoint. On the flip side, analysts from IHS iSuppli revealed predictions that the Surface RT could sell as many as 1.3 million units during the quarter.