Microsoft Surface shows signs of life..

Third time's the charm for Surface Pro

Back when Microsoft introduced its first Surface tablets, the company didn't really know how best to market the devices. That left consumers confused and largely interested, resulting in a stockpile of unsold inventory. Fast forward to today things are different. Microsoft is pitching the Surface Pro 3 as a tablet that can replace your laptop. It's a message that consumers are embracing, and as a result, Microsoft's Surface sales have doubled in the past year.

Microsoft reported Surface revenue of $908 million during its fiscal first quarter of 2015, compared to around $400 million in the same quarter a year ago. The Surface Pro 3 is a legitimate mobile device, and it comes without the confusion of comparing Windows RT to Windows 8/8.1.

Overall, Microsoft generated revenue of $23.20 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, along with operating income of $5.84 billion and diluted earnings per share of $0.54.

"We are innovating faster, engaging more deeply across the industry, and putting our customers at the center of everything we do, all of which positions Microsoft for future growth," said Satya Nadella, chief executive officer of Microsoft. "Our teams are delivering on our core focus of reinventing productivity and creating platforms that empower every individual and organization."

Looking ahead, Microsoft warned of several factors that could negatively affect revenue, including "intense competition" in each sector the company competes in, adverse results from legal disputes, cyber attacks, and the list goes on.