Microsoft denies rumor that it’s killing off Surface tablets

There are times when Digitimes offers up interesting and accurate information, particularly when it comes to supply chain news. There are other times, however, when it seems as though its writers have spent all week taking part in a $300,000 crack party. That said, between reporting that Apple plans to merge iOS and OS X earlier this week and reporting that Microsoft plans to kill its Surface line of tablets, Digitimes this week has reached a level of insanity that could only be matched by Gene Munster on a bad acid trip.

Microsoft officials seldom deny pubicly rumors about product futures, even when they are from some sites with less-than-stellar Microsoft-prediction track records. But on October 9, Microsoft execs broke that rule (at least indirectly) and posted on the Microsoft Surface blog that “Businesses can buy with confidence. We are here to stay.” Digitimes published a report on October 9 claiming Microsoft is planning to exit the Surface business, citing unnamed supply-chain sources. In spite of CEO Satya Nadella’s recent characterization of Surface (and hardware in general) as supporting rather than “core” Microsoft businesses, Microsoft isn’t dumping the Intel-based Surface line, officials said.