Is Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Trying to Blow This?

Thursday’s article discussed Samsung‘s goal of doubling tablet sales in 2013; it’s now targeting as many as 40 million units this year in an effort to oust Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and its iPad from the top of the global tablet heap. Samsung’s objectives reinforce what we already know: Tablet makers have a lot at stake, and they’re getting aggressive. Apple sold nearly 23 million iPads in calendar Q4 alone, and Samsung has made it clear it intends on overtaking Apple in what is becoming an exploding market.

Like Microsoft, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) isn’t forthcoming with its tablet sales information. What we do know is that Google’s Nexus tablet partner, Asus, jumped to fourth in global tablet sales in calendar Q4. You can bet Google and its CEO, Larry Page, aren’t comfortable in fourth, and intend to rival Apple and Samsung in the years to come.

As for Microsoft, CEO Steve Ballmer, Panay, and the rest of the Surface Pro team can’t get off the starting line. Catching the tablet leaders was always going to be a challenge for Microsoft; a late start, and butting heads with the likes of Samsung, Apple, and Google left Microsoft behind the eight ball before it even began. Now, when Microsoft needs its tablet rollout to go as smoothly as possible in an effort to make a dent, its once again dropping the ball.

The article Is Microsoft Trying to Blow This? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Tim Brugger.

Fool contributor Tim Brugger has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Apple and Google. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple, Google, and Microsoft.

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