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How will Apple counter Windows 8 tablets?
- Thread starter Piggie
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I have no idea on Pricing, however I suspect there will be Windows 8 tablets at many price points depending on the build quality, connectivity, screen size and power.
It is a good point. Why buy a windows laptop if you have have a Windows 8, Metro interface tablet, that, by docking to an optional keyboard becomes a full spec Windows laptop? You have both items in one.
This goes back to my earlier point about Apple doing this.
Why not combine an iPad and a Macbook Air into a similar device, so, if you want you can have your iPad, and with the optional dock, you have your full OSX computer for business.
This still seems a logical conclusion for many people. Why have two devices?
You're assuming two things we can't know - the price range of Windows 8 tablets, AND that the experience on those tablets will nullify the current advantage Apple iPad users enjoy.
Evidence of this assertion?
Myself, I don't see Windows 8 tablets being that cheap, at least not to begin with, until they become more a commodity product like laptops are today.
I'd imagine iPad pricing for the typical lower end, and going more towards decent upper end laptop pricing at the high end.
Remember we are looking at Intel i5 CPU's in the more powerful models, right thru to Tega3 based models also.
There is no logical reason why you could not end up with Alienware Gaming Tablets eventually. If there is a small market for such a device, some firms may offer them for the small number who want that option.
One things for sure, it's going to be interesting seeing the vast range that's bound to arrive.
Perhaps the Windows tablet and dock, may one day replace the Windows laptop all together. Who know?
i think windows tablets will take several years to really take off. Apple are likely to constantly be ahead of the game, at least for the foreseeable future.
+1.
Apple is on revision #3 of their tablet and Microsoft is only NOW getting into this market. Anyone who imagines this to be round two of the old Mac vs Windows war from the 80s and 90s is fooling themselves.
Android and Apple are fighting for #1. Everyone else is fighting for table scraps.
Yes, and Sony's Playstation was untouchable as the de facto games console everyone knew about, wanted and bought.
And then along came Microsoft
Don't dismiss the company with all the software creators behind it.
Yes, and Sony's Playstation was untouchable as the de facto games console everyone knew about, wanted and bought.
And then along came Microsoft
Don't dismiss the company with all the software creators behind it.
The problem is that Microsoft does not appear to be following the Xbox approach to the tablet market.
Instead of controlling the whole system, there will be myriad OEMs offering different versions of Windows 8, with different hardware specs.
The mere diversity of Windows 8 systems will be its greatest challenge.
Yes, and Sony's Playstation was untouchable as the de facto games console everyone knew about, wanted and bought.
And then along came Microsoft
Don't dismiss the company with all the software creators behind it.
the first xbox was very unpopular, the 360 succeeded because it managed to sneak in before the ps3, and has been consistently cheaper than the ps3 while doing the same things. I can't imagine this the case with tablets, where the iPad is in a league ahead and has an interface everybody is familiar with. Llike i said, its going to be years before windows tablets become popular like the iPad
This is not Microsoft first tablet ever, they started with Windows XP Tablet Edition even if it wasn't very successful, i used a compaq one, that all it was missing was a glass screen that goes edge to edge over the display to look exactly like an ipad, all versions of windows since have had a tablet edition of some sort afaik.
This is the first Windows truly designed around a touch interface though.
This wouldn't be round two because that started with android with the phones, and round three with the android tablets, and now with the MS tablets.
Yes, and Sony's Playstation was untouchable as the de facto games console everyone knew about, wanted and bought.
And then along came Microsoft
Don't dismiss the company with all the software creators behind it.
I'm not. Which is why I'm not dismissing Apple and Google.
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Well, the difference is that this time it gives Microsoft a chance to have a successful tablet and OS, which would be a first for them.
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The 360 doesn't do EVERYTHING the PS3 does. You still can't play a Blu-ray movie on it!!!
I wouldn't say the original XBOX was very unpopular, in fact it had quite the following. It's problem was two fold. First MS did not own the hardware and had to pay royalties to Nvidia. The other problem they had was they launched last right after the Nintendo GameCube.
Sony and the PlayStation 2 were the clear and established front runner. MS pulled the plug on the original XBOX to leapfrog Sony and they now OWNED the hardware which they previously did not.
The original XBOX sold quite well and launched XBOX Live. It did a lot of things right. I think MS has a good opportunity with Windows 8 on Tablets but they really need to drive home a vision of what they want the end game to be.
One plus I see and mentioned it before is intergrating Windows 8 with XBOX Live, Windows Phone and the rumored Music Service that will replace Zune Pass.
Sony and the PlayStation 2 were the clear and established front runner. MS pulled the plug on the original XBOX to leapfrog Sony and they now OWNED the hardware which they previously did not.
The original XBOX sold quite well and launched XBOX Live. It did a lot of things right. I think MS has a good opportunity with Windows 8 on Tablets but they really need to drive home a vision of what they want the end game to be.
One plus I see and mentioned it before is intergrating Windows 8 with XBOX Live, Windows Phone and the rumored Music Service that will replace Zune Pass.
My question is how many computers does the average person need? How many are they wiling to shell out major money to buy (especially when they are out-of-date within months, if that long)? Does the average person actually CARE about new tech when they struggle to even keep up with years-old advances, or can't afford even the basics?
Nowadays, there are not only desktop PC/Macs, laptops of both persuasions, Android and iPhone smartphones (among others), iPads & tablets... all doing overlapping tech chores with varying capabilities and limitations.
My guess it's becoming an "either/or" situation ... buy a tablet and ditch the aging PC/Mac, OR buy a laptop. Period. IMO, for the average person, buying a new desktop computer is history except for those who need it professionally.
I have a feeling the computer/smartphone industry is rapidly approaching market glut, where the winners are - at present - the communication companies that provide wifi access, either via cell towers, cable, or satellite. When the day comes we can buy wifi access independent of any of these, things will change dramatically.
Nowadays, there are not only desktop PC/Macs, laptops of both persuasions, Android and iPhone smartphones (among others), iPads & tablets... all doing overlapping tech chores with varying capabilities and limitations.
My guess it's becoming an "either/or" situation ... buy a tablet and ditch the aging PC/Mac, OR buy a laptop. Period. IMO, for the average person, buying a new desktop computer is history except for those who need it professionally.
I have a feeling the computer/smartphone industry is rapidly approaching market glut, where the winners are - at present - the communication companies that provide wifi access, either via cell towers, cable, or satellite. When the day comes we can buy wifi access independent of any of these, things will change dramatically.
There's always a catch somewhere. If they are able to create a tablet/laptop bybrid and market it for cheaper, there will likely be some drawback or limitation that isn't readily apparent. On one hand, the manufacturers could be willing to settle for lower margins, or cut costs by using cheaper materials.
It could also be something as basic as battery life, or weight and thickness (anyone remember the asus slider?). Heck, for all we know, the product may not be that durable, what with all the folding going about.
Still, I feel a more apt comparison might be ipad + bluetooth keyboard vs laptablet. A basic 16gb ipad + zaggfolio or logitech keyboard case or origami workstation = $600, still cheaper than a laptablet. Else, with the equivalent of 2 PC, I can do more stuff. I have twice the battery life, and in a pinch, my ipad can even double as a 2nd display with the correct apps.
You can get an iPad and an MBA for $1500.
The idea that a 'basic Windows convertible tablet' is somehow comparable to even an iPad and a basic windows laptop is dumb.
It totally is. Are you crazy?
bill gates, visonary
Bill Gates has been a figure of fun for years because of his commitment to clunky win tablets, but his vision may be coming to fruition with the release of windows8 and new intel hardware that can run x86 software with reduced power consumption. Windows 8 tablets may gain momentum with designers and students as they will combine true x86 software, wacom pen digitizing, and a real file system. So win slates could very quickly compete as content creation devices. The ipad would still retain its consumer appeal, and subsuent revisions to hardware and ios may make it a more competitive content creator. Could interesting if win partners can bring some winning hardware to the party--samsug slate 7 is good omen.
Bill Gates has been a figure of fun for years because of his commitment to clunky win tablets, but his vision may be coming to fruition with the release of windows8 and new intel hardware that can run x86 software with reduced power consumption. Windows 8 tablets may gain momentum with designers and students as they will combine true x86 software, wacom pen digitizing, and a real file system. So win slates could very quickly compete as content creation devices. The ipad would still retain its consumer appeal, and subsuent revisions to hardware and ios may make it a more competitive content creator. Could interesting if win partners can bring some winning hardware to the party--samsug slate 7 is good omen.
The real question is what do you do with a tablet? That's the same question that people who don't own an ipad has. What do I do with a tablet? I think what will happen is Microsoft trying to merge their laptops with a tablet.
I don't think it will work, at least not to the level of an iPad. It would be nice to have an all-in-one but if you look at history, this has never succeeded. Certain things are created to service a purpose.
If you look at the iPad, it is what it is - a luxury device complementing a laptop/desktop. If you try to make an iPad a laptop, you will not be happy. There's currently a huge compromise in power/performance battery consumption, weight, heat, and screen resolution. I don't think Microsoft has a clue to the needs of the many.
History has it Microsoft is just all about trying to follow what's hot. They never invented anything on their own. Look at MSN, MSN Search, MSN Live, Bing, ...every product this have is nearly a copy of someone else. They had the money at the time to squash out competition and monopolize their presence in the PC world. People are cheapskates. They love cheap everything. They refuse to pay for anything aesthetically pleasing because that would mean $$$. So every junk manufacturer comes out with PC junk and we have what we have now, a pile of PC crap. Microsoft is ubiquitous because of pirating. It's definitely not the retail price of their OS software.
Go to asia, look at the 99.9% of the population there including retail businesses. No one buys official license software. There are over 4 billions chinese/asian people. 99% of them don't pay for software. They would bootleg hardware like they do software if they could. It's all because it's just cheap PC junk.
BAck to the topic of Windows 8 tablets. Sure they are trying so hard to get into this new market that Apple is successful in. Unless you can magically replace your laptop with this windows 8 tablet, i don't see the point at all. It's just another iPad'esque copy but of course, it looks like crap and I don't see how it is intuitive with all the stupid cluttered tile BS.
I can clearly tell you Android tablets running ICS are better laid out than this metro crap. There will be many who will claim victory but those are the same people that bought the RIM playbook, the same ones who buy lenovo laptops (which are the ugliest and crappiest laptops on the planet). I don't care for any windows products either so this tablet will not interest me at all. All i want to do is sit back in my chaise lounger and hold my ipad and enjoy the retina graphics.
I have my mbp for everything else. I am so integrated into the apple ecosystem now (sans my cellphone which is a samsung), I am nearly complete. Just ask yourself the real question: what can this windows 8 tablet do that your laptop can't do better? What can it do that an ipad can't do? 1366x768 resolution is 2008 technology. There's nothing amazing about this lenovo windows 8 tablet.
I don't think it will work, at least not to the level of an iPad. It would be nice to have an all-in-one but if you look at history, this has never succeeded. Certain things are created to service a purpose.
If you look at the iPad, it is what it is - a luxury device complementing a laptop/desktop. If you try to make an iPad a laptop, you will not be happy. There's currently a huge compromise in power/performance battery consumption, weight, heat, and screen resolution. I don't think Microsoft has a clue to the needs of the many.
History has it Microsoft is just all about trying to follow what's hot. They never invented anything on their own. Look at MSN, MSN Search, MSN Live, Bing, ...every product this have is nearly a copy of someone else. They had the money at the time to squash out competition and monopolize their presence in the PC world. People are cheapskates. They love cheap everything. They refuse to pay for anything aesthetically pleasing because that would mean $$$. So every junk manufacturer comes out with PC junk and we have what we have now, a pile of PC crap. Microsoft is ubiquitous because of pirating. It's definitely not the retail price of their OS software.
Go to asia, look at the 99.9% of the population there including retail businesses. No one buys official license software. There are over 4 billions chinese/asian people. 99% of them don't pay for software. They would bootleg hardware like they do software if they could. It's all because it's just cheap PC junk.
BAck to the topic of Windows 8 tablets. Sure they are trying so hard to get into this new market that Apple is successful in. Unless you can magically replace your laptop with this windows 8 tablet, i don't see the point at all. It's just another iPad'esque copy but of course, it looks like crap and I don't see how it is intuitive with all the stupid cluttered tile BS.
I can clearly tell you Android tablets running ICS are better laid out than this metro crap. There will be many who will claim victory but those are the same people that bought the RIM playbook, the same ones who buy lenovo laptops (which are the ugliest and crappiest laptops on the planet). I don't care for any windows products either so this tablet will not interest me at all. All i want to do is sit back in my chaise lounger and hold my ipad and enjoy the retina graphics.
I have my mbp for everything else. I am so integrated into the apple ecosystem now (sans my cellphone which is a samsung), I am nearly complete. Just ask yourself the real question: what can this windows 8 tablet do that your laptop can't do better? What can it do that an ipad can't do? 1366x768 resolution is 2008 technology. There's nothing amazing about this lenovo windows 8 tablet.
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The most interesting part of the win 8 pre release has been the general acceptance of metro by the tech press--it is an awkward cluttered interface, avantageous to users deeply concerned with current time and weather. Its not unthinkable window 8 apps are just a way to amortize ms's imvestment in bing--as many of the preview release ms apps are just repackaging of bing functionality. And am I the only one who hates full screen applications?
I personally think that win8 is dog poo. I saw some youtube comments stating that they had to google HOW TO SHUT DOWN THEIR COMPUTER because of metro poo.if only MS made it EASIER to access the shut down button, (or you can just simply press the power button like on OSX) things would have been better. The average non tech savvy user will NEVER like this new POS.
Obviously an unbiased source of factual information right here. You can always tell how intelligent and informed someone is about the inner workings of the technological world when they shout copy copy copy copy copy at anything besides Apple.
Keep on keepin on, dude guy.
But seriously? Metro cluttered? I have to disagree considerably. Well designed Metro apps sport some of the cleanest, most attractive, and easy to navigate UIs of any interface out there. Controversy and contention on the desktop aside, I think it's one of the best new things to come out of MS in a good long while.
Hell, the new Start menu is probably one of the worst examples of it, simply because of the bad choice of colors they've decided to use. But is cluttered? No. It flows well, guides the eye, yet presents tons of information at a single glance. It's "elegant simplicity" quote-unquote is something I'd expect to come out of Apple moreso than MS.
Just look at how much people like Track 8 on the iPad. It's a straight up rip of Metro right down to the Segoe font, and it's considered one of the best media player apps out for it.
http://asia.cnet.com/meet-the-asus-taichi-photos-62216089.htm
On a somewhat unrelated note, Asus recently announced their new taichi tablet/laptop hybrid, which contains 2 opposing screens!
I have to hand it to them. I don't really think much of their products, but they sure are innovative in that area.
On a somewhat unrelated note, Asus recently announced their new taichi tablet/laptop hybrid, which contains 2 opposing screens!
I have to hand it to them. I don't really think much of their products, but they sure are innovative in that area.
I'm sorry to hear that you felt ipad1, ipad2 and all mac books are a fail due to their screen resolution