Windows 8, Surface Tablets to Lead Microsoft's Fight for Relevance in 2013

"Microsoft has a long history with OEMs, so some see the Surface as a betrayal," says Miller.

Kay agrees, stressing that the tarnished relationship between Microsoft and its hardware partners was apparent in the weeks following the Windows 8 launch.

"You could tell things were out of sorts when there was a lack of hardware in retail-- and no coordination among OEMs at Best Buy and the Microsoft Store," he says. "I think it's because Microsoft turned on partners without much warning."

The Surface does have appealing features such as an elegant hardware design and ClearType high-resolution display, a nifty keyboard/cover and the inclusion of Microsoft Office, but the Windows App Store remains low on quality apps compared to iOS and AndroidAndroid, and right now there is "poor ecosystem leadership at Microsoft," says Kay. Alles zu Android auf CIO.de

In Microsoft's defense, the Windows Store now has 20,000 apps, quadrupling its size since the Windows 8 launch in October. But availability of blockbuster apps is still hit-or-miss.