Microsoft's (MSFT 0.69%) first foray into the tablet market appears to be off to a good start, as the first batch of $499 Surface tablets seems to have already sold out. The Microsoft website was offering three different models of the tablet -- priced at $499, $599, and $699 -- for delivery by Oct 26. Now, only the two higher-priced models are available for delivery on that date, indicating that the $499 device has been sold out. The most affordable device is still available for order shipment "within three weeks."
Microsoft rival Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) continues to heat up the competition in the tablet market, and is widely expected to showcase its brand-new iPad Mini on Oct. 23.
The Surface is available in 32GB and 64GB models, and first went on sale at noon on Tuesday. The company said on Tuesday that the product would only be initially released in a "special limited quantity."