Microsoft’s own manufacturer and partner expressed doubts over the success the Surface tablet is likely to enjoy.

Acer has turned its nose up at the possibility of Microsoft becoming a serious tablet rival to Apple, and has instead urged Microsoft to focus on delivering its new operating system.

Acer’s senior vice president and president for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Oliver Ahrens, said that Microsoft was trying to copy Apple’s strategy, and that it is unlikely to succeed.

“I don’t think it will be successful because you cannot be a hardware player with two products.”

He expressed concern over Microsoft losing focus on its core business: the Windows 8 operating system, if it tries to move into the same field as Apple. The lack of attention would result in an operating system of inferior quality.

Mr. Ahrens’ concern is justified since Windows 8 will feature in 4-5 Acer devices, including tablets and a high-definition slim-line “Ultrabook” notebook.

The surface was revealed to the public last week, and marks Microsoft’s first foray into the tablet market. The Surface tablet will be run on the Windows 8 operating system. The Pro version of the tablet will also be slightly thicker, offer a more robust battery, and boast better peripheral support (USB 3.0 versus 2.0, DisplayPort, and an SDXC expansion slot) and twice the storage capacity of the RT version.