Word is that Microsoft is planning to announce its own tablet at an event planned for next Monday. While plenty of companies recently announced Windows 8 tablets at Computex, Microsoft apparently feels it needs its own tablet to compete effectively against Apple. As All Things D puts it:
Sources say that Microsoft concluded that it needs its own tablet, with the company designing both the hardware and software in an effort to better compete against Apple’s strengths. Microsoft’s tablets may include machines running ARM-based processors as well as models running on traditional PC processors, sources said.
So far, no company other than Apple has been able to really make it in the tablet market, and the latest projections show the iPad's market share growing to 62.5% next year, while all Android tablets combined will account for 36.5%. However, in what has to be an encouraging sign for Microsoft, pundits say Windows tablets won't take away market share from Apple or Android, but "will grow the overall tablet market."
That doesn't mean Microsoft-branded tablets will be big sellers. And the last time the company went head-to-head against Apple, with the Zune, it produced what many said was a superior product, but it still couldn't win over enough hearts and minds to compete effectively.
However, Microsoft is no stranger to the hardware game, and the Xbox 360 continues to dominate the gaming console market. Last month alone, Microsoft made $209 million selling Xbox hardware -- more than rivals Nintendo and Sony combined. If the company can build on the Xbox's success at courting developers and developing a loyal user base, it could just give Apple a run for its money.
What do you think?
allthingsd.com/20120614/microsoft-taking-direct-ai...
Discussion about
Would you buy a Microsoft tablet?
I don't know if I'd say I'd *never* buy a Microsoft tablet.. But I'm not really all that impressed with Windows 8 as a complete package thus far. ..So it would need to be good hardware with an improved software experience in order to make it compelling.
I think it's very possible, and from what I've tried with Windows 8 I'd get a MS branded tablet.
It depends what you need a tablet to do. I needed a desktop replacement. A mobile Sysadmin freedom device for when I'm oncall so I don't have to lug around a heavy dell laptop. I tried with the new ipad, and there were just too many problems. It's a toy, not a desktop replacement. I'm now happily using an asus transformer. It is a desktop replacement. I'd imagine the windows tablet would also be a desktop replacement. That's the feeling I got playing with windows 8 on an asus tablet. The ipad is fantastic for curing boredom, but a lot of people simply aren't being honest about its shortcomings.
I have no doubt that it will be a great product, like the Windows Phone 7(.5), but the problem will be selling them and getting attention. Would I buy one? Well for me it would be down to Android vs. Windows tablet. I would just have to see what people think of the Windows tablet software.
I will personally be looking into it. Right now, I'm looking out for the possibilty of a Nexus tablet before I buy anything. I know I don't like the iPad since I've had extensive use with it, but I'm not sure I want to jump into the Android tablets currently out.
WIndows 8 does look to be interesting though, and I might buy one once I'm content after using it [on a tablet not on desktop]
WIndows 8 does look to be interesting though, and I might buy one once I'm content after using it [on a tablet not on desktop]
Two main factors: 1st the software has to be great (I haven't use Windows 8) and 2nd hardware design it has to be really good and have a great built quality, if they make that a reality I think I'm willing to give them a chance.
If the tablet is ~$400, and it's light, and it runs Windows 8, and it has all the entertainment outlets integrated (keyword.. integrated), absolutely I'd buy one!
I find this interesting and most certainly an event to look out for. It would put enormous strain on Apple who are already losing ground in their smart phone offering. www.abhirdayaram.com/2012/06/09/apple-losing-samsu...
When I heard that Windows 8 was being redesigned for use on tablets, my heart sank a little. I have nothing against tablets, but I definitely prefer to use a computer (programs>apps). That being said, Metro looks pretty sweet, and if Microsoft is controlling the hardware as well, I am hopeful that they can come up with a device of the same caliber as the Xbox 360 and Zune HD. Both are exceedingly well designed and work great with their respective softwares. I'm interested to see what Microsoft can do in the tablet world.
If the ZuneHD is any indication of the kind of the device they may be making, yes. It was (is) a fantastic product. Sadly, there are a lot of horror stories from Microsoft devices as well. A lot of people are going to be closely examining the reviews before considering it.
No, due to their lack of features outside the norm build. Of course they could prove me wrong with this hardware.
Love the idea of a Windows 8 based tablet (a dumb down metro style would suite me; long as I have moving aviation maps!). iPad has good aviation features now-a-days though, so it'd take what the iPad lacks while still having great battery life to sway me
Love the idea of a Windows 8 based tablet (a dumb down metro style would suite me; long as I have moving aviation maps!). iPad has good aviation features now-a-days though, so it'd take what the iPad lacks while still having great battery life to sway me
Considering you don't need an app store with Microsoft because Best Buy would be your app store, and any other walk-in retailer, not to mention the largest supply of the highest quality software in the world, and that desktop business runs on Microsoft, plus having actually played with a windows 8 tablet, absolutely. Counting Microsoft out at this point would show a serious lack of knowledge, and an obvious tunnel vision in regards to the future of tablet computing.
True. Anything that can run the full version of Windows has enormous potential. That's one reason I've gone through quite a few "traditional" tablets over the years. As useful as slimmed down tablet apps are, there are times when you really do need full-scale desktop versions, and that hasn't really been an option on Android and iOS.
It depends on how good Microsoft's Tablet is. If it has a reasonable amount of memory and reasonable amount of hard drive space (whether it's a regular hard drive or SSD) I would be willing to give it a go.
Most stuff I do recently doesn't need a 'monster machine', even the games I have been playing.
Most stuff I do recently doesn't need a 'monster machine', even the games I have been playing.
I would buy one. I own an ipad and I don't really use it other than browsing web sites (i have actually given it to my 2 year old son who uses it much more than i did to watch cartoons) so if it's a tablet that I could actually do something on or use in conjunction with my xbox then i'm all over it. Using "myXbox" on the ipad made me realize metro is better as a interface on a tablet than what apple has cooked up.
As cool as it sounds, I think I'd rather have an Intel-based Windows 8 tablet rather than an ARM-based Windows RT tablet, simply for the flexibility. I'm looking for something to fill the space an Ultrabook would fill, not necessarily a traditional tablet.
To be fair, I've never really been interested in the iPad or any of the Android tablets. I want more power and flexibility, not an overgrown phone. This will be great for those who are looking for a more traditional tablet, though.
To be fair, I've never really been interested in the iPad or any of the Android tablets. I want more power and flexibility, not an overgrown phone. This will be great for those who are looking for a more traditional tablet, though.
Ive purchased several Microsoft products. I'm currently using a Microsoft Habu gaming mouse for Battlefield 3 and its superb, better than any other mouse I have had. Because its so good I would only buy a Microsoft gaming mouse again. I also have an Xbox 360 and have also owned a Playstation 3. And apart from the bluray player on the Playstation my opinion is the Xbox is better in all other ways. Particularly the quality of build.
Gaz
www.http://howtofindfreequalitysoftware.blogspot.co.uk/
Gaz
www.http://howtofindfreequalitysoftware.blogspot.co.uk/
I think the thing with Microsoft is when they get something right, they REALLY get it right. And when they are determined to get something right they eventually will. Windows kinda sucked until XP when it was "ok", and then was what I'd called "great" at Windows7. 6 months now with not a single issue. So with tablets, it's a matter of figuring out if they really get it right, and if not, if they are determined to get it right.
Not if it ends up being an Xbox extension device like the latest rumours. A whopping 288MB on ram, yet the base station or "stationary computing device" seems quite capable.
mobilesyrup.com/2012/06/18/rumours-of-a-7-inch-xbo...
mobilesyrup.com/2012/06/18/rumours-of-a-7-inch-xbo...
Microsoft will announce a tablet. Exactly this tabet: www.domadis.com/2012/06/16/microsoft-hara-un-gran-...
It would have to be significantly cheaper than a comparable ipad and I don't see that happening if the licensing rumors are true. A 7" has to be about the same price as a Kindle or it will go nowhere. Hopefully they learned something from HP's bungled tablet.
Without the enterprise this will be a niche product. I think the ipad has too big a lead there, it's hard to believe that I'm saying that...
I would like one out of professional curiosity, but I only spent $349 on an ipad and $139 on my fire, so it would need to be somewhere around that price to get me to jump.
Without the enterprise this will be a niche product. I think the ipad has too big a lead there, it's hard to believe that I'm saying that...
I would like one out of professional curiosity, but I only spent $349 on an ipad and $139 on my fire, so it would need to be somewhere around that price to get me to jump.
Ahahhahhahhahahahhahahhhaha... NO. Android... YES. Apple... Would rather use a plank of wood with a stylus made from a stick.
follow this discussion
share:
Products mentioned
28 users following this discussion, including:
This discussion has been viewed 6910 times.
Last activity .