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Ballmer: Microsoft-Powered Tablets Are 'Job One Urgency'

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If I was to get that tablet thing, I would install Linux or Android on it. Something that will run smoothy on a low-end excuse for a tablet like the WinTabLet.
 
darwen said:
Yay for competition! Without this closed iOS system, they might make something pretty cool. I hope they don't come out with something to cool though. I have grown attached to my iPad and I'd hate to give it up for something better :)
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Yeah I doubt that. But if that did happen you might have to go here :eek:
 
Geez I almost feel sorry for Balmer, he can't seem to get anything right.

What exactly is going to make these any better than all the other failed windows tablets like the current Archos 9?

Windows has improperly scaled interfaces in thousands of applications that can't be undone. A sea of tiny buttons too small for comfortable finger use.
For Example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBtEhQqS1dw

This a TM2 more powerful than any pure tablets and having a full 12" screen(video intended to show how great Win7 touch is :rolleyes: ).
Yet look at about 1 mine when he brings up word. Look at all the tiny interface buttons that are already too small on a 12" tablet.
Beyond that just look how unresponsive this is on more powerful hardware than any pure windows tablet will ship with.

Windows Desktop OS also requires x86 relatively power hungry hardware for such a small device. Most will end up having short battery life, sluggish performance and more heat production.

Windows is a heavy weight answer to a lightweight question. Successful tablets will likely be running ARM architecture capable Operating Systems(iOS, Android, WebOS, and maybe even WinPHone7).
 
darkplanets said:
Here's what I find amusing.

1) Its going to run Win 7. Sounds good, right? Wrong. Win7 has zero touch features, nor is it designed for touch (well, there is the touch-desktop, but I digress). Basically, Win 7 wasn't designed FOR touch, its going to be an afterthought. I imagine the start menu and the tool-bars to be real nightmares to navigate, especially for people with bigger fingers.

2) Did I mention it's going to run Win7? The minimum system requirements for Win7 is a 1 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, 16GB of HD space, and a DX9 graphics card. That's the minimum too, which means its going to run incredibly slow. Or, they'll opt for the second option, which is an entirely gimped Win7, thus not really being Win7 at all, even though theyll market it as such.
Click to expand...

This is why Apple called it iPhone OS from the beginning (now iOS).
Even though it is OSX, by creating a new reference point,
Apple prevents comparisons to OSX features the hardware won't shine with.

Instead we focus on the device and the coordination between
hardware and software and judge it on its merits.

On the other hand we have Microsoft.

It's getting embarrassing. It's not like they don't have strengths, Win 7 is actually good, and along with Excel 2010, Project 2010, the power pivot platform..they are delivering a lot of well executed software.

But a tablet...designed by hardware partners, running a crippled pretender of Windows7...they just aren't the company to pull this off. I wish they would stick to software.

It's the Kin all over again.
 
I liked that booklet idea alot, I hope they keep working at that rather than trying to copy the ipad.

Apple makes great products we get it, that doesn't mean they have made the only possible great product. Instead of copying the ipad lets see some originality, it might be awesome.
 
btbeme said:
I'm sure Apple saw the concept at CES and then crapped out the iPad overnight, scrapping their previous design that resembles a lunchbox with an LCD screen attached.
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I doubt that HP went into Apple's HQ and got their eyes on the iPad's design before the iPad was announced, and crapped out their HP Slate.:rolleyes: I doubt Apple saw HP's Slate, and I doubt that HP saw Apple's iPad. Its a coincidence that they look so similar.

btbeme, I was refering to this.
It seems like I've seen something like that before...

ah...there it is..
Click to expand...

His post made it sound like HP copied Apple's design when thats BS. They didn't copy each other.
 
If Microsoft wants a good product, they need to drop their own software and partner up with Google. I am more than sure Google would help Microsoft design and market a tablet computer.

Microsoft could be the next HTC.
 
ouimetnick said:
I doubt that HP went into Apple's HQ and got their eyes on the iPad's design before the iPad was announced, and crapped out their HP Slate.:rolleyes: I doubt Apple saw HP's Slate, and I doubt that HP saw Apple's iPad. Its a coincidence that they look so similar.

btbeme, I was refering to this.

His post made it sound like HP copied Apple's design when thats BS. They didn't copy each other.
Click to expand...

HP found an early iPad prototype in a bar.
 
ouimetnick said:
I doubt that HP went into Apple's HQ and got their eyes on the iPad's design before the iPad was announced, and crapped out their HP Slate.:rolleyes: I doubt Apple saw HP's Slate, and I doubt that HP saw Apple's iPad. Its a coincidence that they look so similar.
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Sigh... Guess I'll have to explain in simple terms...

It isn't about an idea. It is about execution.

I have great ideas about flying cars, personal jet backpacks, and a cure for the common cold. Can I get a little credit here please?
 
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darkplanets said:
Here's what I find amusing.

1) Its going to run Win 7. Sounds good, right? Wrong. Win7 has zero touch features, nor is it designed for touch (well, there is the touch-desktop, but I digress). Basically, Win 7 wasn't designed FOR touch, its going to be an afterthought. I imagine the start menu and the tool-bars to be real nightmares to navigate, especially for people with bigger fingers.

2) Did I mention it's going to run Win7? The minimum system requirements for Win7 is a 1 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, 16GB of HD space, and a DX9 graphics card. That's the minimum too, which means its going to run incredibly slow. Or, they'll opt for the second option, which is an entirely gimped Win7, thus not really being Win7 at all, even though theyll market it as such.

3) Intel Atom processor. Lol. While at a higher clockspeed, the cost is pretty hefty and the battery life is nill. Because this is microsoft, I imagine theyll try some publicity stunt and use pineview (Q3 2010), which is 1.5 GHz, 200 Mhz GPU, and .8-1.175 V w/ 8.5 W TDP. It's also dual core. Any of the silverthornes could also work; 1.6GHz-2.133GHz, around .75-1.1V, and 2.4W TDP, single core, no GPU. Given the fact that the Z540 cost $160, I'd expect a ~$100-120 price point, assuming they got the manufacturing technique down.

ARM is clearly better in this case, and Microsoft is a fool to consider otherwise.
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Holy crap I know of no other operating system that resorce hungry. Makes you wonder how Windows 1.0 fit on a floppy and room to spare.
 
btbeme said:
Sigh... Guess I'll have to explain in simple terms...

It isn't about an idea. It is about execution.

I have great ideas about flying cars, personal jet backpacks, and a cure for the common cold. Can I get a little credit here please?
Click to expand...

I'm sure other have had ideas about flying cars, and Jet backpacks like Jimmy Neutron.:p

Well I'm sure other people (humans, not cartoons) have had similar ideas as you. Why can't they get credit?

My post above is just another way of saying, "Your post doesn't make sense to me".
 
btbeme said:
Sigh... Guess I'll have to explain in simple terms...

It isn't about an idea. It is about execution.

I have great ideas about flying cars, personal jet backpacks, and a cure for the common cold. Can I get a little credit here please?
Click to expand...

Flying cars, not that hard. Not that practical.

Personal jet backpacks. The design is easy. The hard part is fueling them. It takes quite a bit of energy. If you carry enough fuel for a long flight, it weighs too much and won't get off the ground.

Cure for the common cold, I have three cures myself. The problem is they at best are as bad as the cold. At worst, they will kill you.
 
ouimetnick said:
I'm sure other have had ideas about flying cars, and Jet backpacks like Jimmy Neutron.:p

Well I'm sure other people (humans, not cartoons) have had similar ideas as you. Why can't they get credit?
Click to expand...

Simple. Because I presented my ideas at CES in January before anyone else did.
 
Hopefully they and the hardware manufacturers will bear in mind what they learned from the Courier. The form factor was downright interesting and, oddly enough, I really liked the UI. I've not had much good to say about any MS OS since NT4, but I would have loved to have tried out a real Courier.

But of course, that concept really captured the imagination. We'll have none of that.

On an unrelated note, I can't wait to ask people with Win tablets how many svchost processes are currently running or how they're enjoying McAfee.
 
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