Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
MSNBC: 10 ways Windows 8 is better than iPad
- Thread starter Rogifan
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Hmm...if Kindle Fire was selling well why wouldn't Amazon want to release sales figures? Not doing so give the impression they have something to hide (e.g. bad sales figures).
I am actually looking forward to windows 8 on ARM. I am using the consumer preview and like it quite a bit. If the hardware manufacturers get it right (big IF), then I may have to invest in a device.
GL
GL
Yeah, personally, I feel Android is most at threat here. But I also feel it'll steal marketshare away from iOS also, just not as severely as Android.
Win8 seems to be a perfect balance of the fluidity and beauty of iOS, but with the customization and dynamic OS that Android offers. Could be a beautiful union.
Win8 seems to be a perfect balance of the fluidity and beauty of iOS, but with the customization and dynamic OS that Android offers. Could be a beautiful union.
Last edited:
While Android may have the most to lose I think Apple does in fact need to worry.
If, and that's a big IF, Windows 8 is embraced by the PC consumer and they sell 100 million copies in a few months, that could generate some serious interest in a Win8 tablet.
If Windows 8 becomes a game changer it can put the breaks on the run away train we know as Apple.
Apple used the iPhone then the iPad to generate more interest in Mac computers very successfully.
Microsoft can do the same thing but in reverse. It must be a huge success on the desktop and laptop. From there it can, I think, gain a lot of steam in the mobile market.
Apple cannot sleep on this and take it lightly. I believe they'll have to bring something very impressive to iPhone 6 and iPad 4 (whatever they call them) if Microsoft hits it out of the park with Win8. I think the next 18 to 24 months will be very interesting.
If, and that's a big IF, Windows 8 is embraced by the PC consumer and they sell 100 million copies in a few months, that could generate some serious interest in a Win8 tablet.
If Windows 8 becomes a game changer it can put the breaks on the run away train we know as Apple.
Apple used the iPhone then the iPad to generate more interest in Mac computers very successfully.
Microsoft can do the same thing but in reverse. It must be a huge success on the desktop and laptop. From there it can, I think, gain a lot of steam in the mobile market.
Apple cannot sleep on this and take it lightly. I believe they'll have to bring something very impressive to iPhone 6 and iPad 4 (whatever they call them) if Microsoft hits it out of the park with Win8. I think the next 18 to 24 months will be very interesting.
I definitely see where your going with your thought and it makes a lot of sense. I'll throw in a "IF" if I may....IF Microsoft bombs here
This could be the last chance any vendor to jump in the tablet market or else as someone said earlier this could be a train that will not be stopped.I mean there are already Microsoft apps heading to the ipad. Can't beat them join them like they say.
but from what has been shown.....Microsoft looks like they are ready for the challenge.
I agree with you.
I thought Josh's review is a little biased. Did Steve Balmer threaten to do a crazy dance with his tongue out for him unless he said Windows is more intuitive and four finger gestures are to difficult? I think Windows 8 is more of a problem for Android than Apple. As being thay are the "open systems". The only thing to note is windows likes BIG licensing fees and I think that is a problem with the competitive pricing in the tablet market today.
I like so far what I am seeing from Windows 8 and it does have some advantages over iOS. One being able to work just like a full computer in desktop mode with a mouse and full keybord (number pad). Granted this means nothing to some people but some want a device that can be there tablet and laptop.
But putting a full os in such a small device can lead to a bunch of problems such as drivers, heat, and software compatibility.
I think though if anyone can fight them Apple can. As they have OSX which is a lighter os than windows. Also Apple has full control over the hardware. Not to mention they are the market leader. Microsoft failed in its fight against Apple in music players, and phones. I look forward to seeing what Microsoft delivers as I never trust these short term reviews.
Microsoft does have some interesting smoking guns as they have relationships with console game companies from the Xbox 360 which they could use on there mobile devices. Sadly they never hot date other than checking on your avatar from your phone. They also have kinect tech. Lastly they have a huge demographic of middle age men followers like Paul Thurrott. That love any windows garbage and hate anything Apple.
Lets not forget Windows 8 has not shipped and iOS will have upgraded before Windows 8 ships. All in all the consumer will benefit from this tablet war and gives us better options.
Last edited:
Honestly I feel like Windows 8 tablets will become Apple's real competition in the tablet market. Android tablet makers still can't get that right. The only thing is that Windows 8 tablets will need some great hardware to compete with the build quality of the iPad (I'm hoping Nokia does something good here like they are with the Lumia phones).
The metro UI is the only other one I've used that can hold it's own against iOS in terms of fluidity and functionality. I love the iPad and all, but I went from an iPhone 3GS to a HTC Radar and I'm really liking Windows Phone. I would consider picking up a Win8 tablet later down the road.
I used boot camp to install the Windows 8 consumer preview on my MBP and I'm really happy with how well it works for a public beta. I really think Microsoft is finally getting their act together with their computer OS, Xbox UI (can I say OS for Xbox?), phone OS, and tablet OS. It feels like it's shaping up nicely to take on Apple later this year. But a lot can happen in the course of a year. Who knows what Apple, Google, or Microsoft will do before this fall. We'll just have to wait to find out.
The metro UI is the only other one I've used that can hold it's own against iOS in terms of fluidity and functionality. I love the iPad and all, but I went from an iPhone 3GS to a HTC Radar and I'm really liking Windows Phone. I would consider picking up a Win8 tablet later down the road.
I used boot camp to install the Windows 8 consumer preview on my MBP and I'm really happy with how well it works for a public beta. I really think Microsoft is finally getting their act together with their computer OS, Xbox UI (can I say OS for Xbox?), phone OS, and tablet OS. It feels like it's shaping up nicely to take on Apple later this year. But a lot can happen in the course of a year. Who knows what Apple, Google, or Microsoft will do before this fall. We'll just have to wait to find out.
Actually hope Windows 8 gives more competition to the market.. the problem with Microsoft is:
a) they are late to the tablet game like they were with the Zune despite having some serious advantages over Apple (Zunes larger screen, better sound quality, better navigation, more modern looking interface, etc.) being late cost them.
b) They can't seem to get developers for their new platforms this was a big problem with the Zune HD despite having superior hardware at the time.
Only way they are going to be able to compete with the iPad this late in the game is to get some developers on board is by enticing developers in someway to get a decent selection of software up by the time it officially launches. They don't get a decent developer program going it is going to be doomed from the start.
Even if they get a way to get the current PC software to work on Windows 8 Tablet its going to be rough since the PC software is designed for mouse and keyboard in mind.
Windows 8 isn't even out yet so the idea of the comparison to iOS this early in the game is kind of silly.
----------
Its getting software developers to develop for Windows 8 that is going to be the biggest hurdle. I mean Android and iOS already have a pretty good foundation of programs, Microsoft is going to have to entice these developers to develop for yet another platform.
Problem with Android is there is such fragmentation with 15 bazillion different versions then its further complicated by a real lack of software compatibility with tablets. Most Android apps are actually optimized for phones rather than tablets. I've noticed on my Xoom that some software just simply won't run correctly or its just the mobile phone version blimped up to fit the screen rather than upgrades making it compatible with a 10.1" screen.
Bottom-line, I'd love for there to be more competition in the market of tablets because it makes companies bring their A-game and compete rather than stagnate the products. The iPod line is a great example of what happens when there is no real competition in that segment, they get little to no updates.
a) they are late to the tablet game like they were with the Zune despite having some serious advantages over Apple (Zunes larger screen, better sound quality, better navigation, more modern looking interface, etc.) being late cost them.
b) They can't seem to get developers for their new platforms this was a big problem with the Zune HD despite having superior hardware at the time.
Only way they are going to be able to compete with the iPad this late in the game is to get some developers on board is by enticing developers in someway to get a decent selection of software up by the time it officially launches. They don't get a decent developer program going it is going to be doomed from the start.
Even if they get a way to get the current PC software to work on Windows 8 Tablet its going to be rough since the PC software is designed for mouse and keyboard in mind.
Windows 8 isn't even out yet so the idea of the comparison to iOS this early in the game is kind of silly.
----------
Its getting software developers to develop for Windows 8 that is going to be the biggest hurdle. I mean Android and iOS already have a pretty good foundation of programs, Microsoft is going to have to entice these developers to develop for yet another platform.
Problem with Android is there is such fragmentation with 15 bazillion different versions then its further complicated by a real lack of software compatibility with tablets. Most Android apps are actually optimized for phones rather than tablets. I've noticed on my Xoom that some software just simply won't run correctly or its just the mobile phone version blimped up to fit the screen rather than upgrades making it compatible with a 10.1" screen.
Bottom-line, I'd love for there to be more competition in the market of tablets because it makes companies bring their A-game and compete rather than stagnate the products. The iPod line is a great example of what happens when there is no real competition in that segment, they get little to no updates.
Mid 2013? Last I read it was late 2012 but I'm not totally on top of Windows 8 news. Mid 2013 is suicide. iPad 4 will be out by then.
That MSNBC.com would publish this and risk a reputation of Microsoft bias is all the more reason to believe them!
Either (1)they are partly owned and operated by Microsoft, or (2)they sincerely believe Windows 8 will turn Apple's iPad into a blubbering manatee.
Either (1)they are partly owned and operated by Microsoft, or (2)they sincerely believe Windows 8 will turn Apple's iPad into a blubbering manatee.
It is a joint MS and NBC venture so yeah Microsoft has some influence on the site. Even then its absolutely silly to compare the two right now.
18 months is far too long. MS has hinted at a release later this year, likely around October/Nov.
The problem with the Android tablets are that they are priced too high, in order to be competitive with Apple the price needs to be lowered. They aren't Apple so they shouldn't expect to sell at the same price point as Apple has them at, Apple has a reputation of being more of a premium company vs other companies so people are more willing to spend that kind of cash on Apple products but not others.
I literally laughed when Samsung and Motorola came out with their answer to the iPad with the same friggin pricing.
They are starting to come down in price so perhaps this will make them a better competitor.
That video has the Samsung with Intel i5 which is much thicker than the iPad and has FANs in it. That's a review of the consumer preview of the full Windows 8, not the metro only ARM version that will compete with the iPad. It will be early 2014 when that thing will be as thin as an iPad 2.
I installed the Windows 8 Consumer Preview on my PC tonight and let's just say I'm happily typing this comment back in Windows 7. Now, I honestly only gave Windows 8 about an hour of testing, but in that hour I think I decided that it's kind of a nightmare.
I tried to figure things out on my own and not go to Google every time I couldn't find something. I approached it as if I were, say, my parents getting a new PC. There are several very simple things that took me a really long time to figure out how to do, such as simply closing a program, finding the control panel, launching a song from my own library (without just going to the file and double clicking it), and the ever important shutting down/restarting the computer. I finally figured these things out, and it's just too many clicks and too many weird things you have to do to accomplish what you're trying to accomplish.
I can see having ONLY the Metro UI on a tablet. I can see having ONLY the desktop component of it on a PC (it's basically just Windows 7 with no Start menu). But what I don't see the need for is forcing me to use Metro UI over the top of the traditional layout. Microsoft keeps telling everyone you can switch back to the traditional desktop layout if you want to, but since the Metro UI seems to pretty much be the replacement for the Start menu, you HAVE to use the Metro UI. What you end up doing is a lot of flipping back and forth with the Windows key. Prime evidence that this OS was designed much more for tablets than computers, or at least computers that don't have a touch screen.
I guess MS is trying to do what Apple is doing--making the PC more of an appliance, getting rid of all the techie stuff and just making a nice smooth UI with more of the common end user in mind. But I think what they've done is put out a shizophrenic product, and I don't think IT people or end users are going to be thrilled about it. I know it got a million downloads in one day or whatever, but I for one am not happy with it.
I tried to figure things out on my own and not go to Google every time I couldn't find something. I approached it as if I were, say, my parents getting a new PC. There are several very simple things that took me a really long time to figure out how to do, such as simply closing a program, finding the control panel, launching a song from my own library (without just going to the file and double clicking it), and the ever important shutting down/restarting the computer. I finally figured these things out, and it's just too many clicks and too many weird things you have to do to accomplish what you're trying to accomplish.
I can see having ONLY the Metro UI on a tablet. I can see having ONLY the desktop component of it on a PC (it's basically just Windows 7 with no Start menu). But what I don't see the need for is forcing me to use Metro UI over the top of the traditional layout. Microsoft keeps telling everyone you can switch back to the traditional desktop layout if you want to, but since the Metro UI seems to pretty much be the replacement for the Start menu, you HAVE to use the Metro UI. What you end up doing is a lot of flipping back and forth with the Windows key. Prime evidence that this OS was designed much more for tablets than computers, or at least computers that don't have a touch screen.
I guess MS is trying to do what Apple is doing--making the PC more of an appliance, getting rid of all the techie stuff and just making a nice smooth UI with more of the common end user in mind. But I think what they've done is put out a shizophrenic product, and I don't think IT people or end users are going to be thrilled about it. I know it got a million downloads in one day or whatever, but I for one am not happy with it.