<p>Microsoft Surface Pro: Is It Right For You?(click image for larger view and for slideshow) Microsoft announced Thursday that its third-quarter profits were up 19% relative to the same period last year. The uptick beat analyst expectations and was propelled not only by lower-than-anticipated expenses but also strong server and Office sales. At face value, the numbers seem like a solid rebuttal from Microsoft to its critics; the company, already burdened with Windows 8's cool reception, has been a media punching bag over the last few weeks, with blows ranging from the PC's continued decline to Goldman Sachs downgrading Microsoft's stock.</p><p>The earnings report shows that Microsoft is a strong and diverse company, but it doesn't fully silence doubts. Windows 8 and the scope of Microsoft's influence are two of the open questions. What does Redmond's financial health mean for the future of personal computing?More Software InsightsWebcasts More &gt;&gt;White Papers More &gt;&gt;Reports More &gt;&gt;</p><p>As a whole, Microsoft's Windows division rose 23% to $5.7 billion, slightly below analyst projections. Given how much criticism Windows 8 has absorbed, that might seem like a vindicating number. This isn't the case.</p><p>Microsoft predictably declined to break down Windows revenue. It didn't explore how Windows 7 sold relative to Windows 8, for example. Surface sales were likewise unaddressed. Even so, there are many reasons to doubt that Windows 8 has performed well.</p><p><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/software/windows8/microsoft-office-server-sales-fuel-stron/240153251">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.mspmentor.net/2013/04/18/microsoft-office-365-1-billion-reasons-you-cant-ignore-it/">Microsoft Office 365: $ 1 Billion Reasons You Can&#039;t Ignore It</a> (MSPmentor (blog))</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-finally-reveals-how-well-its-google-apps-killer-cloud-is-doing-2013-4">Microsoft Finally Reveals How Well Its Google Apps-Killer Cloud Is Doing</a> (Business Insider)</p><p><a href="http://talkincloud.com/saas-software-service/microsoft-office-365-cloud-now-1-billion-business">Microsoft: Office 365 Cloud Now $ 1 Billion Business</a> (Talkin' Cloud)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dHqbmrH3pndIYsMn674GIteFF74NM&ned=us">398 additional articles.</a></p>