Ballmer admits Microsoft built too many Surface RTs - reports

Microsoft boss reportedly admits in internal meeting that Windows 8 device sales have been disappointing

Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer is reported to have admitted that the software giant bit off more than it could chew with its Surface RT tablets.

According to The Verge, in an internal Microsoft meeting chief operating officer Kevin Turner and Ballmer addressed slow Surface RT sales, with the latter conceding Microsoft "built a few more devices than [it] could sell".

Microsoft announced it was slashing the price of its consumer-focused RT tablet by 30 per cent globally earlier this month – a move that left a $900m hole in its balance sheet. At its recent Worldwide Partner Conference, the RT tablets and the business-focused Pro device were sold at heavily discounted prices to attendees, with around 16,000 having been shipped in just four days.

Ballmer is also reported to be disappointed with wider Windows 8 device sales, and in the same meeting allegedly said: "We're not selling as many Windows devices as we want to," referring to phones, tablets and PCs combined.

US news site Neowin was also tipped off about the meeting, and claimed Microsoft said it was set to invest heavily in professional services in the coming fiscal quarter.

When contacted by CRN, Microsoft said: "We can confirm there was an internal meeting that occurs every quarter, but we have nothing further to share."