The 1st day in Microsoft's 12 Days of Deals, resulted in long lines at physical Microsoft stores, an outage for the online site, and a $99 Dell Venue 8 Pro that sold out online in less than 2 minutes. And, if that were not enough, shortly after the Dell tablet was bumped up to $199 that sold out too in less than an hour. The Venue 8 Pro is back up to the regular $299 pricing and it's suggested that any new devices may not ship out until after Christmas. So, it sounds like Microsoft's first day was a success – for both Microsoft and Dell. And, more importantly, for a Windows device in a smaller form factor.
Microsoft's store web site caught a lot of flak during the mad rush to secure a $99 or $199 Dell device. A lot of hardcore techies were a bit disappointed that a tech company like Microsoft couldn't figure out how to keep the web site running during the consumer bombardment. Many joked that Microsoft must've employed the same failed company that architected the HealthCare.org web site fiasco for the Obama administration, but that probably many more were able to get Dell tablets than were able to sign-up for healthcare.
Once the tablet prices were reset, the site returned to normal operation.
On Tuesday, the 2nd day in the 12 Days of Deals, Microsoft will be offering the Garmin Forerunner 110 GPS Watch (normally $149) and a $25 Microsoft store gift card for $99. The same rules as the Dell tablet explosion apply. Sale starts at 10am, both online and at the physical Microsoft stores.
Though not as exciting as the Day 1 Dell Venue 8 Pro, the Garmin Forerunner 110 is still a great gadget to give for Christmas if you don't want to keep it for yourself. The GPS is an exercise companion that records distance, time and pace, and uploads your stats to the Garmin Connect web site. Throw in the $25 Microsoft store gift certificate and you'll secure two extra Christmas presents for family members or friends.
Read more about the Garmin Forerunner 110 here: Garmin Forerunner 110 GPS Watch
