Bill Gates: iPad Users 'Frustrated,' Need Microsoft Surface

Only the Surface can provide a keyboard, apparently.

The Microsoft Surface had a bit of a slow start over the past year, but Bill Gates still thinks the hybrid tablet offers some advantages over its main competition. Speaking to CNBC on Monday, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates stated iPad users are upset by a lack of physical keyboard and the unavailability of the Office productivity suite .

"With Windows 8, Microsoft is trying to gain market share in what has been dominated by the iPad-type device. But a lot those users are frustrated," said Gates. "They can't type. They can't create documents. They don't have Microsoft Office there."

As you might have guessed, Gates is referring to the Surface and Surface Pro. Admittedly, there's a lot to be gained from the addition of a physical keyboard, when compared with the sometimes aggravating inaccuracy of Apple's virtual offering in iOS. But at the same time, there's a wide assortment of third-party peripherals on the market, and apps like Google Docs are growing in popularity with tablet users.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with promoting your own company's products. And according to a report from research firm IDC, the Surface could use the boost. Microsoft's device only moved 900,000 units in the last quarter, compared to 19.5 million iPads.