Yesterday, Microsoft finally launched its one of the most awaited products—Windows 8. The new sleek device is expected to compete with existing Apple’s iPad and Google’s Nexus 7 Tablet. Undoubtedly, Microsoft has endeavored to reinvent the OS, but the question is here: Will the company’s endeavor work? The company rolled out new desktops, notebooks and Tablets with its hardware partners including Acer, Dell, Asus and Toshiba.
On quarterly earnings conference call, Apple’s CEO—Tim Cook—said, “ I haven’t personally played with the Surface yet, but what we’re reading about it is that it’s a fairly compromised, confusing product. “I suppose you could design a car that flies and floats, but I don’t think it would do all of those things very well.”
It’s quite clear that Apple’s CEO does not believe that Microsoft could compete with Apple’s iPad. As traditional computers’ market share is continuously waning, it’s tough for PC manufacturers to maintain consistent revenue stream. This time, Microsoft has tried to reinvent the Windows PC in new format. Of course, Surface Tablet for Windows 8 Pro is really new class of device—integrated PC and Tablets experiences on single platform. But now, Microsoft has greatest challenge to educate users that how Windows 8 powered devices are different from other existing devices in the market.
Microsoft introduced Windows 7 three-year ago and now, it released Windows 8 version—however, the company had to pay for Windows Vista which is considered as its one of the flop products.
Windows 8 Is A Confusing Product:
Users still don’t know where to go; they are confused with Windows 8. They don’t know what is new in Windows 8 and which types of applications will run on the OS ? Negligible presence of developers in Microsoft’s yesterday’s event is also depicting something else whether they will embrace the new OS or not. Consumers are reluctant to spend money on unnecessary technology especially when they are stuck with tight economy.
Undoubtedly, Microsoft has attempted to do very tough job to integrate two platforms–Tablet and desktop. And this is the main reason why most of average customers are waiting to see how the device really works.
It should be noted that ‘Windows 8 Pro’ and ‘Windows 8 Enterprise’ will run on traditional PCs, laptops and Microsoft’s new Tablets, but Windows RT that will be available only with pre-installed on Surface tablet. However, the company has not yet announced that how many apps are available for its Windows 8, platform. It’s pretty known that there are about 275,000 apps available for iPads.
Business Professionals Are Reluctant To Be Early Adopter:
We have already mentioned that businesses are not expected to be early adopter of the OS. More than 90% of business professionals (having Tablets) own iPad and it’s really very hard for Microsoft to change their perceptions. Investors are also uncertain about the Windows 8 prospects and that’s why Microsoft’s stock share value fluctuates between $20 and $30. Today, Microsoft’s stock value per share is just $27.88, while Apple and Google have $609.54 and $677.76respectively.
See the specification of Microsoft’s Surface Tablets:
The new Microsoft’s Tablet features 10.6 inch screen display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels—lower than Apple’s new iPad. The Surface Tablet has NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor with 2 GB RAM and it’s clear that Surface RT Tablet is available in two variants– 2 GB and 64 GB–and Surface Pro Tablet will also have two variants–32 GB and 64 GB.
Would You spend $500 For Surface RT Tablet Which Can’t Run Windows Applications ?
Users will have to pay $499 for 32 GB Surface RT Tablet and $699 for 64 GB version of the Tablet. Apparently, the prices of devices are higher than most of other existing high-end Tablets. It should clearly be understood that Surface RT Tablet will not support applications that run on Windows traditional PC. Would you spend $500 on an ARM-based Windows Tablet which can’t run Windows applications ?
