Bill Gates: Android and iOS tab users will eventually switch to Windows

[spinedoc77]

Tablets have no real extra functionality over laptops, they're just more convenient and fun for content consumption and they do that well. But everything a tablet can do can be done better on a proper laptop and like I said, if a user doesn't want just content consumption, but also professional computing features, they're better off with a laptop.



Which is different from Windows 8 tablets how?

I'm going to assume you are being sarcastic, lol. For the obvious impaired though obviously they have better battery life, are thinner, weigh less, etc., the atom powered ones are at the very least exactly on par with the new ipads.

As for a tablet not having any "real" functionality over laptops that's nuts. Any type of artwork or graphical work benefits immensely, in fact a laptop is much much less than functional in this aspect. Taking notes is another example, One Note on a windows tablet is a dream come true. Healthcare applications, doing rounds and making patient notes while being mobile, yeah try and lug that laptop cart around a hospital wing. Marking up x-rays and MRI's on a tablet, especially in front of a patient or other doctor. I can come up with a TON more increased functionality, as I'm sure other users can chime in.

The ONLY functionality I can think of with a laptop is if you have a larger one with a full sized keyboard, and in some cases with heavy text input I could see a user choosing a laptop over a tablet, although tablets such as the surface pro and simply purchasing a bluetooth keyboard neatly solve even this problem. That's the only example I can think of that can be "done better on a proper laptop", and even that's quite arguable.

Still I always get confused why some argue against windows tablets, but love their ipads. Today's windows tablets have the same thinness, weight, battery life, etc of today's ipads, that's why I have a hard time understanding that.

 

[0dev]

I'm going to assume you are being sarcastic, lol. For the obvious impaired though obviously they have better battery life, are thinner, weigh less, etc., the atom powered ones are at the very least exactly on par with the new ipads.

They still have a poor battery life and terrible UI though.

As for a tablet not having any "real" functionality over laptops that's nuts. Any type of artwork or graphical work benefits immensely, in fact a laptop is much much less than functional in this aspect.

Do Windows RT tablets even have the ability to run full Photoshop? If not I'm gonna have to disagree with you there.

Taking notes is another example, One Note on a windows tablet is a dream come true.

You think a tablet is better for taking notes than a laptop? What? I assume you're being sarcastic there.

Healthcare applications, doing rounds and making patient notes while being mobile, yeah try and lug that laptop cart around a hospital wing.

Could just as easily be done on a smartphone but yes, in that tiny little niche, tablets are probably better than laptops.

The ONLY functionality I can think of with a laptop is if you have a larger one with a full sized keyboard, and in some cases with heavy text input I could see a user choosing a laptop over a tablet, although tablets such as the surface pro and simply purchasing a bluetooth keyboard neatly solve even this problem. That's the only example I can think of that can be "done better on a proper laptop", and even that's quite arguable.

If you want to run full desktop apps and do a lot of typing, a laptop is better. Power users who want more computing functionality would undoubtedly prefer a full desktop OS with full desktop apps. Windows RT could have fit that need on a tablet if Microsoft hadn't crippled it. Yet another stupid decision from them.

Still I always get confused why some argue against windows tablets, but love their ipads. Today's windows tablets have the same thinness, weight, battery life, etc of today's ipads, that's why I have a hard time understanding that.

Windows RT should never have been made, it's a pointless OS as it stands right now. If Microsoft wanted to make the OS mimic Windows 8 they should have let it run full Windows apps (especially something as basic as proper desktop Office, come on Microsoft, that's one of your biggest cash cows!) but since it doesn't it's an utterly worthless OS.

iPads and Android tablets are miles ahead of current Windows RT tablets. And let's not forget that the Microsoft Surface also costs a lot more than its competitors despite offering reduced functionality.

 

[spinedoc77]

They still have a poor battery life and terrible UI though.

Battery life is as good or better than the ipad on the atom powered units, so that's false. The UI being terrible is arguable, I find the ipads UI fairly terrible, but that's of course user opinion, I far prefer Windows on my tablet.

Do Windows RT tablets even have the ability to run full Photoshop? If not I'm gonna have to disagree with you there.

Windows RT is an abomination that was born dead. My windows tablet on the other hand quite nicely runs Photoshop. I wouldn't personally include Windows RT in any conversation I had and the sooner it dies the better. There are lots of reviews out there showing photoshop on a windows tablet.

You think a tablet is better for taking notes than a laptop? What? I assume you're being sarcastic there.

In certain situations a huge YES. You can take hand written notes, which are extremely useful in lecture type situations, or situations where you don't have access to a desk or a lap, etc etc. Although if you do need a good keyboard once again that is an easy option so it's a moot point for typing on a laptop, we need to get by that point because it isn't a good one, it's a much better point if you wanted to compare a laptop to an ipad.

Could just as easily be done on a smartphone but yes, in that tiny little niche, tablets are probably better than laptops.



If you want to run full desktop apps and do a lot of typing, a laptop is better. Power users who want more computing functionality would undoubtedly prefer a full desktop OS with full desktop apps. Windows RT could have fit that need on a tablet if Microsoft hadn't crippled it. Yet another stupid decision from them.

Why is a laptop better? You can use a keyboard and mouse on a tablet. Desktop is a different story and I'm not even introducing that debate here. I can run full desktop apps on my tablet though if I needed that in a pinch. If I want to do a lot of typing I can bring along a keyboard. That's been your only point about a laptop, the keyboard.

Windows RT should never have been made, it's a pointless OS as it stands right now. If Microsoft wanted to make the OS mimic Windows 8 they should have let it run full Windows apps (especially something as basic as proper desktop Office, come on Microsoft, that's one of your biggest cash cows!) but since it doesn't it's an utterly worthless OS.

100% fully agree with you!!!

iPads and Android tablets are miles ahead of current Windows RT tablets. And let's not forget that the Microsoft Surface also costs a lot more than its competitors despite offering reduced functionality.

Agree with you on RT, also agree with you on MS surface, I'm not a big fan personally. But when you get to the atom powered windows tablets the tables get turned and IMO they are MILES ahead of android and iOS. Once again that's for MY needs and uses.

 

[Renzatic]

They still have a poor battery life and terrible UI though.

Atom processor equipped tablets can run Win8 about 8-9 hours on a charge. It's not up to the usual 10-12 you get out of tablets, but it's within spitting distance, and it's only gonna improve over the next couple of years.

Though I do agree about the UI. MS still has tons of work that needs to be done before anyone can consider Windows touch friendly.

 

[sentinelsx]

There's been a lot of stones thrown, so let's see if we can take the stones back and get some real facts in the air:

Walk around any professional or industrial climate with thousands of workstations. Tell me what operating system is on those workstations and then sit there and tell me he's wrong.

The money in any technology industry isn't in consumers but in large scale business and industry use. A new school decides to open a lab inside a newly built library, they're going to need potentially thousands of workstations. Student accessed, facility, staff workstations and machines for an IT department. What do they use? Windows.

Point out Apple OSX Server and show me how effective it is. Or Google Android server. Show me, physically, how an iPad will be a useful device in those circumstances.

The future of tablet use is in a lot more dynamic uses for a tablet. You think Google Drive is a sufficient replacement for Excel? The hard drive cable in my MacBook fried and I had to survive on Numbers and Google Drive for a few days (iOS and Google Docs from a computer I had an extra of that didn't have Office) and I almost died. Trying to do linear regression or standard deviations or XY scatter plots with those applications was a headache. It took hours.

Trying to type a lab report on Google Drive? It's useful for collaboration but when you get to formatting and columns, you'd better copy that text over to Word 2010 or 2011 or your paper is going to look like crap.

Professional and industrial use is going to change the demand in tablets. People are going to need more functions to use a tablet for work and that influence is going to carry over to the mainstream market.

Eventually, people are going to want windowed multi-tasking on a tablet, a full on Office experience with formulas, plotting, XY scattering and copy/paste capabilities. People are going to want a single file system that's accessible by multiple applications. Android is closer to that, WAY closer to that than iOS but the problem with Android is fragmented third party support. Applications just aren't as good on Android as they are on iOS. And iOS is too 'dumb' of a tablet OS.

I love my iPad but it feels like a child's toy compared to Android tablets. Compared to Windows? It's like an 8" iPod Touch. And people don't want an 8-10" MP3 player with Candy Crush on it. At least, not in the future they won't. In 2014-2015, when people pay $500 for a tablet, if they get an oversized iPod Touch they're going to be very disappointed. Especially when you have a 10" tablet from Microsoft that has full Microsoft Office, the ability to code Java/Python, edit photos with Photoshop.

Just because numbers cannot do that today doesn't mean it won't do it tomorrow. I would rather have mobile apps get strong and become desktop equivalents then having to be forced to lug with me a bulky, noisy, and hot laptop. I don't want that. Not one bit.

 

[spinedoc77]

Atom processor equipped tablets can run Win8 about 8-9 hours on a charge. It's not up to the usual 10-12 you get out of tablets, but it's within spitting distance, and it's only gonna improve over the next couple of years.

Though I do agree about the UI. MS still has tons of work that needs to be done before anyone can consider Windows touch friendly.

Some atom tablets do better than this. I've seen rundown tests of the Vivotab smart for example over 10+ hours. This is with what is basically an old netbook CPU shoehorned to be dual core, this year Intel had a fire lit under them and the battery life we will see later this year and next year will be pretty insane, coupled with much more CPU power and desktop graphics capability.


I've never ever had an issue with running out of juice on my thinkpad tablet 2, and I use it a ton during the day. It's really surreal to me that I'm actually able to use windows for 10 hours without ever having to plug in. I've seen reviews of the TPT2 lasting almost 12 hours (http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/tablets/381466/lenovo-thinkpad-tablet-2/2).

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...having to be forced to lug with me a bulky, noisy, and hot laptop. I don't want that. Not one bit.

Wait, isn't that the entire point of a windows tablet?

 

[Michael Goff]

Some atom tablets do better than this. I've seen rundown tests of the Vivotab smart for example over 10+ hours. This is with what is basically an old netbook CPU shoehorned to be dual core, this year Intel had a fire lit under them and the battery life we will see later this year and next year will be pretty insane, coupled with much more CPU power and desktop graphics capability.


I've never ever had an issue with running out of juice on my thinkpad tablet 2, and I use it a ton during the day. It's really surreal to me that I'm actually able to use windows for 10 hours without ever having to plug in. I've seen reviews of the TPT2 lasting almost 12 hours (http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/tablets/381466/lenovo-thinkpad-tablet-2/2).

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Wait, isn't that the entire point of a windows tablet?

I have to agree, Silvermont will be awesome for the atom-tablets. With any luck, it'll finally give the atom the graphics punch it's needed sorely.

 

[0dev]

I had an Atom netbook running Windows before that had horrid battery life. If these tablets are improved that's awesome.

I disagree handwriting on a touchscreen is a good way to take notes, but then that's me personally. I far prefer keyboards. I get on fine with touchscreen keyboards usually, especially if I can swipe, but when I'm taking notes in lectures and especially if I'm writing full essays, I far prefer the ability to touch type and you just cannot do that on any touchscreen keyboard no matter how good it is. Plus typing on a proper physical keyboard is always going to be more accurate and, for me at least, usually a lot faster too if it's a full sized one on a laptop. So for me a laptop will trump a tablet every time for note taking. Plus a laptop makes it far easier to quickly check the internet discreetly

I also hold to the opinion that carrying around a separate keyboard and mouse for a tablet would just be annoying and I'd far rather carry around a laptop.

However, this thread has actually got me interested in Windows tablets now though... if they make a cheap one akin to the Nexus 7 running full Windows (none of that RT BS) maybe I'll take a look. Having a full desktop OS on a tablet but also having a tablet friendly UI is very appealing to me. But considering I could easily install full Ubuntu on my Nexus 7 if I wanted it'd have to be a pretty good tablet.

 

[Night Spring]

Plus a laptop makes it far easier to quickly check the internet discreetly

Not sure why a laptop would be more discreet than a tablet. Unless you mean that on a laptop, it would be easier to switch quickly between the web browser and the main thing you are supposed to be doing?

I also hold to the opinion that carrying around a separate keyboard and mouse for a tablet would just be annoying and I'd far rather carry around a laptop.

I do agree that carrying a separate keyboard for a tablet is a drag -- I started out by using an Apple Bluetooth keyboard with my iPad, but it didn't take long before the keyboard started being left at home. However, what I end up doing when I need my laptop is I end up carrying both my MacBook Air *and* my iPad. Sure, I *could* read my ebooks and Instapaper articles on my Air, but it's just so much more comfortable reading them on my iPad. A quick search for nearby restaurants to pick a place for dinner, some casual games to while the time away on the bus... all much easier to flip out my iPad than to drag out my Air.

Now, Windows 8 tablets like the Surface are supposed to bridge the gap between my iPad and the Air how? Well, those Win8 tablets that are just as light as the iPad presumably have about 9-10 inch screens, correct? So when you hook up the keyboard, you end up with a tiny laptop -- I'd rather use my 13 inch Air. On the other hand, Win8 devices that make a decent laptop, those with screens at least 11 inches and above, are heavier than the iPad, thus making a lousy tablet, am I right?

I do believe that laptops and tablets will eventually converge -- technology will eventually get to the point where we can have light-weight, 12-13 inch tablets that will be great laptops too. But right now, I prefer carrying around both my iPad and Air, even if a single Win8 device might be lighter than the two combined. Because with the iPad and the Air, I have a great laptop and a great tablet. With Win8, I get either a good tablet and a mediocre laptop, or vice versa.

 

[0dev]

Not sure why a laptop would be more discreet than a tablet. Unless you mean that on a laptop, it would be easier to switch quickly between the web browser and the main thing you are supposed to be doing?

Yeah it's quicker to switch windows, with a tablet it takes longer and looks a bit more obvious. It was just a joke really.

I do agree that carrying a separate keyboard for a tablet is a drag -- I started out by using an Apple Bluetooth keyboard with my iPad, but it didn't take long before the keyboard started being left at home. However, what I end up doing when I need my laptop is I end up carrying both my MacBook Air *and* my iPad. Sure, I *could* read my ebooks and Instapaper articles on my Air, but it's just so much more comfortable reading them on my iPad. A quick search for nearby restaurants to pick a place for dinner, some casual games to while the time away on the bus... all much easier to flip out my iPad than to drag out my Air.

Now, Windows 8 tablets like the Surface are supposed to bridge the gap between my iPad and the Air how? Well, those Win8 tablets that are just as light as the iPad presumably have about 9-10 inch screens, correct? So when you hook up the keyboard, you end up with a tiny laptop -- I'd rather use my 13 inch Air. On the other hand, Win8 devices that make a decent laptop, those with screens at least 11 inches and above, are heavier than the iPad, thus making a lousy tablet, am I right?

I do believe that laptops and tablets will eventually converge -- technology will eventually get to the point where we can have light-weight, 12-13 inch tablets that will be great laptops too. But right now, I prefer carrying around both my iPad and Air, even if a single Win8 device might be lighter than the two combined. Because with the iPad and the Air, I have a great laptop and a great tablet. With Win8, I get either a good tablet and a mediocre laptop, or vice versa.

I just keep my Nexus 7 in my pocket and carry around a laptop. Makes my life much easier to have a small tablet.

 

[Night Spring]

I just keep my Nexus 7 in my pocket and carry around a laptop. Makes my life much easier to have a small tablet.

That's true -- I currently have an iPad mini as my "out of home" tablet, and the lighter weight makes it a lot easier to carry, especially when I'm also carrying mt laptop. However, I find the mini just a tad uncomfortable to use in terms of all the touch targets being smaller. It takes a lot more concentration to hit the right target, and I find myself missing a lot more often than on the full sized iPad. Probably not an issue for most able-bodied people, but I do have some mobility issues. So I'm really hoping that the iPad 5 will be significantly lighter, as rumored. A full size iPad with the weight of the current mini will really be ideal -- I know it won't happen with the iPad 5, but maybe 6 or 7?

 

[spinedoc77]

I just keep my Nexus 7 in my pocket and carry around a laptop. Makes my life much easier to have a small tablet.

This isn't a bad option at all. That's why I can't wait until the rumored 7" surface Pro gets released. Although currently I only carry one device, my windows tablet.

 

[sentinelsx]

Some atom tablets do better than this. I've seen rundown tests of the Vivotab smart for example over 10+ hours. This is with what is basically an old netbook CPU shoehorned to be dual core, this year Intel had a fire lit under them and the battery life we will see later this year and next year will be pretty insane, coupled with much more CPU power and desktop graphics capability.


I've never ever had an issue with running out of juice on my thinkpad tablet 2, and I use it a ton during the day. It's really surreal to me that I'm actually able to use windows for 10 hours without ever having to plug in. I've seen reviews of the TPT2 lasting almost 12 hours (http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/tablets/381466/lenovo-thinkpad-tablet-2/2).

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Wait, isn't that the entire point of a windows tablet?

Yeah I was replying to the guy who said laptops are going to be the goto mobile device instead of tablets.

Its 2013 and I still have to lug that pos?

 

[APlotdevice]

I disagree handwriting on a touchscreen is a good way to take notes, but then that's me personally. I far prefer keyboards. I get on fine with touchscreen keyboards usually, especially if I can swipe, but when I'm taking notes in lectures and especially if I'm writing full essays, I far prefer the ability to touch type and you just cannot do that on any touchscreen keyboard no matter how good it is. Plus typing on a proper physical keyboard is always going to be more accurate and, for me at least, usually a lot faster too if it's a full sized one on a laptop. So for me a laptop will trump a tablet every time for note taking. Plus a laptop makes it far easier to quickly check the internet discreetly

Not all note taking is the same. Depending on the course/field, one may need to jot down a lot of diagrams or other illustrations that cannot be simply typed out.

I also hold to the opinion that carrying around a separate keyboard and mouse for a tablet would just be annoying and I'd far rather carry around a laptop.

There are many tablets out there with hard shelled keyboard/trackpad combinations that latch onto the bottom and let you fold the whole thing up just like a conventional laptop. The difference being that it only has to be there when you need it.