Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, speaking to French publication La Parisien, has said that the company’s Surface tablet has seen “modest” sales so far, ascribing the sales to its limited availability.

Ballmer was quoted as saying “We’ve had a modest start because Surface is only available on our online retail sites and a few Microsoft stores in the United States.”

Microsoft later said that La Parisien missed the “true emphasis of Ballmer’s quote” in a summary of the full interview, according to Engadget, and issued the following statement.

When asked about Surface, Steve’s use of the term “modest” was in relation to the company’s approach in ramping up supply and distribution of Surface with Windows RT, which has only been available via our online store and certain Microsoft retail stores in the U.S. While our approach has been modest, Steve notes the reception to the device has been “fantastic” which is why he also stated that “soon, it will be available in more countries and in more stores.”

Ballmer also revealed that 4 million Windows 8 upgrades were sold over the first three days of the operating system’s availability.

Source: Reuters