Windows 8 Tablets: iPad killer? iPad Competitor? Windows Killer?
So, Windows 8 drops (as the kids say) on October 26, and with it will come a slew of new Windows 8 tablets and hybrids. Also launching with Windows 8 will be IE10 and XBox Music.
Included amongst the tablets will be Microsoft's own Surface - the RT versions immediately and x86 versions in a few months. The fact that the Surface tablets are currently back ordered probably indicates genuine excitement, though you don't know how many units were manufactured initially, nor whether initial excitement will translate into long term staying power.
Below are a couple of videos that tout themselves as comparing x86 Windows 8 tablets vs the iPad 2 and 3, respectively, but really just serve as nice walkthroughs of Windows 8 on tablets:
Windows 8 definitely looks to be a much richer experience on tablets that iPads running iOS, even if you set aside the x86 versions extended features (a tablet running Starcraft 2!). True multi-tasking, true productivity apps like Office 2013 (even for RT versions), by most accounts a much better browser. However iPads will definitely have a huge advantage in app availability.
Personally, I don't own a tablet, but had the benefit of being loaned an original iPad for a couple of weeks when they first came out. As I don't consume media on the go, I found no desire to purchase a tweener device that felt much more limited that my home pc and office pc that I shuttled back and forth between. I have no plans to get an RT tablet, nor upgrading my pc to Windows 8, but the x86 tablets have me really excited. If the hardware is good enough to give me a great tablet browsing experience, true productivity, and, e.g. the ability to run true Photoshop (I' still on CS3) with one of those Wacom pens, I'd be a happy camper.
I'll be waiting for a power house Intel based Win8 tablet and will then ditch my Win7 laptop. I'm very excited about being able to go from full tablet GUI to full desktop GUI on the same device.
I'm not too familiar with these yet, but am very excited. I have a Windows 7 tablet, and it is clunky at best. Godawful at worst.
I wanna see this thing running cad or photoshop.
As for it being an iPad killer, I say no way. But I don't like the iPad at all, so what do I know. For me personally, it competes with the macbook air.
the only thing holding me back from switching over completely and ditching the iPad will be the game selection. I just can't get by on a tablet without my tower defense library. but if the Windows app selection eventually gets good enough, then peace out, Apple store.
I will also likely wait for 2nd generation...I was an early iPad adopter and liked it until the 2nd gen came out and I realized that tablets should be able to open more than 3 websites without crashing from running out of memory. The Surface isn't going to be that underpowered, but I'll let someone else beta test it for me this time.
When I see Surface with a built in kickstand and a physical keyboard I wonder if Microsoft is missing the essence of a tablet - ie that it isn't something you sit a table with, it's something you sprawl on the couch with. It wouldn't be the first time MS was tone-deaf in a product segment.
I think they look great. I wish there was a lower priced entrant so that existing tablet owners could get in on the Windows RT side without doubling their investment essentially.
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I am interested for sure in one, but I am not sure if the RT version will fit my needs as a tool to tie into work in terms of easy RDP/RWW access. If it does, then I will likely pick one up once it is clear that developers have committed to the application base. If it doesn't then, my tablet needs are really filled by my Playbook since I only really watch video or occasionally music or podcast, so I won't be able to justify the extra investment.
Otherwise, I will likely need to do some serious consideration about purchasing the Pro version, which is just too expensive for me to really be excited about, unless I can somehow swing one through work...
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When I see Surface with a built in kickstand and a physical keyboard I wonder if Microsoft is missing the essence of a tablet - ie that it isn't something you sit a table with, it's something you sprawl on the couch with. It wouldn't be the first time MS was tone-deaf in a product segment.
Then again I may be full of ####e.
By all accounts the kickstand retracts completely, so is no hindrance to sprawling on the couch. It's simply an added feature for when you might want to use it hands free, which is a option many tablet cover makers build into covers for existing tablets. Isn't more options better if they don't detract from the primary usage?
Another interesting wrinkle that may address the app imbalance: it looks like any Windows 8 machines running on an AMD chip will be able to use all Android apps.
When I see Surface with a built in kickstand and a physical keyboard I wonder if Microsoft is missing the essence of a tablet - ie that it isn't something you sit a table with, it's something you sprawl on the couch with. It wouldn't be the first time MS was tone-deaf in a product segment.
Then again I may be full of ####e.
That is the best thing about this device.... You can sprawl on the couch and use it as a tablet.... But then say a important email comes in that you have to respond to with more that a simple answer. All you have to do is flip out the kickstand use the cover and type out that email. You don't have to go power up the laptop or go to the desktop.
When I see Surface with a built in kickstand and a physical keyboard I wonder if Microsoft is missing the essence of a tablet - ie that it isn't something you sit a table with, it's something you sprawl on the couch with. It wouldn't be the first time MS was tone-deaf in a product segment.
Then again I may be full of ####e.
Or they realize that if they want to aim at the 'business' market, they need to have a way for people to still be productive with their Office apps, and nobody can type on a tablet like they can on a keyboard.
The idea is great. I am very interested in seeing how this preforms as well.
I have been waiting, very patiently, for a good opportunity to buy a tablet that wasn't made by Apple... as an avid Windows supporter I might give this a go. Especially if they can integrate office so I can transfer stuff back and forth from tablet to desktop to laptop. It would be nice to work on the couch comfortably instead of having this hot laptop burning a hole through my lap.
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Does anyone know what led to the price hike on the Microsoft Surface?
I was initially told it would be $300 range. But now, $500 not including the keyboard cover?
Can't really say that's a price hike when the whole time it was speculation and wistful thinking. At $300 it made sense that Windows could capture not only the Windows 8 market but really take a step into the tablet market. Just never happened since Windows wants set their system /products as premium.
Windows 8 might not be an iPad killer, but it will dip into their marketshare. Several businesses that now allow ipads on their network will change that policy as the windows tablets will offer better network security and manageability.
Windows 8 might not be an iPad killer, but it will dip into their marketshare. Several businesses that now allow ipads on their network will change that policy as the windows tablets will offer better network security and manageability.
Windows 8 RT won't connect to a domain. It's just another tablet using WiFi, so there is no added manageability gained. I'm not sure where the added security would come from either.
If they would add domain authentication to RT, then things would be a different story. Personally, tho, I see this as more of a threat to Android-based tablets than iPads. They serve requisite purpose of not being made by Apple, while still providing most of the benefits you'd find within the Apple echosystem.
Windows 8 Tablets: iPad killer? iPad Competitor? Windows Killer?
