Microsoft's Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 2-in-1 are expected to see weaker-than-expected shipments in the fourth quarter because of Intel Skylake processor shortages and some orders have been postponed to the first quarter of 2016, according to sources from the upstream supply chain, who added that device manufacturer Pegatron Technology has also seen related yield rates improving and should benefit the two products' shipments.

However, Pegatron and Microsoft have both declined to comment on their orders.

The sources pointed out that the Surface Book's monthly shipments will have a chance to surpass 100,000 units and around 200,000 units for Surface 4 in the first quarter.

Compared to competitors, which are expected to dramatically reduce their orders for the first quarter of 2016 because of seasonal factors, Microsoft's orders for these high-end devices are expected to stay strong.

Commenting on its Surface products, Microsoft Taiwan pointed out that the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book are mainly targeting Apple's products as their major competitors and is hoping these machine to become a demonstration to its notebook brand partners. Since most of its partners' product prices are lower than the Surface 2-in-1s, the Surface products are mainly served as a complement to the brand vendors' products.

However, facing Microsoft's competition in the high-end market and the plan of charging a higher licensing fee for Windows 10 for high-end models, notebook brand vendors are expected to see their profits from the high-end market impacted.