Microsoft Surface Hub delayed until April due to 'manufacturing issues'

More time to save up for the £16,269 84-inch model

The Microsoft Surface Hub, the giant 84-inch touchscreen that Microsoft showcased when it launched Windows 10 last year, has been delayed for a second time. The tablet is now not scheduled to arrive until April.

So says a report at Computing's sister publication CRN, which quotes a Microsoft representative and sources in the reseller industry that the Surface Hub won't be available for at least another two months, despite the company's promise of a January 2016 shipping date.

Much like the setback from September to January, the delay is thought to be down to "manufacturing issues".

Microsoft's Windows and Surface lead Ryan Asdourian told CRN: "I think with any product, one of the things that's super important to us is quality. We are making sure a product like this releases with the highest level of quality when it ends up in customers' hands."

Microsoft confirmed the delay in a statement, but said that, while it's missed the January target, the Surface Hub will still arrive with customers "early" this year.

"We are still on track to ship the first Surface Hub devices to customers early this year," a Microsoft spokesperson said. "We are excited about the impact this new category of device will have on transforming how people collaborate at work."

Microsoft didn't name a date, but Will Hegan, EMEA sales director at AVI-SPL, told CRN that he expects the Surface Hub to start shipping in April and then to have full stock allocated in June.

"The reality is in the UK we probably won't see stock until April, but by June they should be up to the full run rate where they can fulfil any orders," he said.

Hegan added that, despite the delays, the Surface Hub has seen a fair amount of interest among potential buyers, and that he has already taken "a lot" of pre-orders in the UK.

Microsoft's Surface Hub is available in 55-inch and 84-inch models, priced at a modest £5,709 and £16,269 respectively.