Digitimes (so consider the source) reports that the mass production of Microsoft's new Surface tablet is not without its problems. The casing of the device, made of a magnesium-aluminium alloy in a newly developed process, is apparently harder to produce than anticipated. The 'yields', or percentage of products without errors and compliant to the specifications, is still too low to meet Microsoft's demands. The software manufacturer intends produce at least 5 million of the Surface tablets this year, although it remains to be seen whether this target will be met.
Sources claim that Microsoft has inquired with several manufacturers that have the resources to produce this chassis, but none could guarantee they would meet the required production numbers. An alternative aluminium casing would make the Surface tablets heavier, something Microsoft naturally doesn't want. For now all we can do is hope that Microsoft will find a solution soon to produce its aluminium-magnesium casings with the new 'VaporMg' technology.
Microsoft Surface tablet with flexible keyboard and VaporMag casing
