Microsoft announced its earnings today and for the first times since going on-sale, the Surface line of devices is officially a billion dollar channel for the company. Microsoft classifies its billion dollar organizations by a business channel that generate one billion dollars or more per quarter.

With the Surface Pro 3 selling well, a new team device being announced called the Surface Hub and Broadwell now rolling out, the future is looking bright for the brand.

It goes without saying that the Surface team has had their missteps as well, with a $900 million write-down and Windows RT being all but officially dead for large devices like the Surface 2, the path to success has been bumpy. But, with a billion dollar quarter now under their belt, they clearly have the correct strategy in place.

The Pro 3 had a couple of sales going on to during the last quarter, thanks to Black Friday, and with the holiday season being strong across the board for most companies, it looks like the Pro 3 benefited from this momentum.

Windows 10 will also be coming out later this year which has many features that play to the Surface Pro 3's capabilities like Continuum. Seeing how the device has sold well with Windows 8, it would not be unexpected to forecast stronger sales once Windows 10 arrives.