Microsoft's Surface Outselling the iPad? Microsoft's Surface is showing signs of surpassing Apple's iPad. In October, the Surface created more revenue than the iPad among a particular group of buyers.

As per a report released earlier this month by 1010data, U.S. buyers shopping online spent more money on Surfaces than on iPads.

1010data didn't include U.S. shoppers buying in-store. The Surface can be purchased from a wide variety of retailers, including Microsoft's own stores, but Apple has a larger retail presence. At the same time, the comparison is basically unfair to some extent. In October, Microsoft released two new Surfaces - the Surface Book and the Surface Pro 4.

The Surface Book with its detachable screen can function as a tablet, and 1010data mentioned it as part of the reason why Microsoft's Surface revenue flanked out Apple's iPad. But the Surface Book is much more of a laptop than it is a tablet. A prospective buyer considering the Surface Book will likely see it as more of an option to Apple's MacBook Pro.

Actually, Microsoft makes that comparison itself. Even the more tablet-like Surface Pro 4, isn't truly comparable to the iPad. In its marketing and its events, Microsoft often associates the Surface Pro line to Apple's MacBook Air.

According to 1010data, over the last 12 months, the average iPad sold for $392 in comparison to the average Surface, which retailed for $844. So, even generating more revenue, Microsoft sold fewer Surfaces to online shoppers.

Still, it's a noteworthy achievement for Microsoft's hardware business. As per 1010data, October was the first month in 2015 when U.S. online shoppers spend more on Surfaces than iPads.

In January, both Apple and Microsoft will submit earnings reports that include the month of October. That should provide a better assessment of the two businesses.