Windows 8 tablets

[Bryancd]

I think Joby is right, I get the impression this is more of a MacBook Air as opposed to an iPad. I think they recognize that the traditional lap top model needs to be a bit smaller, faster to provide the kind of experiences people use portable technology for, and cheaper.

[Jobydrone]

I think Joby is right

*faints*

;)

[Bryancd]

I think Joby is right

*faints*

;)

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes... ;)

[Dangelus]

I'm excited for it. Time will tell if they get this right. It is too early to judge how people are going to take this. We have no price points or detailed specs. The general public have no idea how Windows 8 is going to work yet.

The Windows store is still in beta and only has selected beta apps. When that launches will will have a much better idea of what to expect.

Personally, if I was in need of a good quality Windows ultra portable laptop then I'd consider getting a Surface Pro.

If I didn't have an iPad right now and they brought out the Surface RT at iPad price (don't forget this device is 32Gb so it most likely won't be priced at the entry level iPad price but the 32Gb iPad) and good quality Metro apps were available I'd go for it. The beauty of this thing is it can act like a tablet but unlike the iPad it's a full blown PC.

As I said, still no major specs except some speculation on processors and screen resolutions etc. no announcement has been made about connectivity yet, nobody knows if there will be cellular options etc.

For now I just want to know more. I'm excited for Microsoft right now. They have learnt (or stolen) some presentation and marketing ideas from Apple and good on them. It's no good for consumers in the long run for one company such as Apple to have dominance for too long. I want the likes of Apple, Microsoft and Google to be going head to head. :)

I was in the live chat last night for Entertainment 2.0 ( Windows Media Center and other Microsoft entertainment products podcast) and they had a great discussion on the possibilities here. Not all positive "fanboy" comments at all, a nice balanced discussion with all parties acknowledging that Microsoft has a lot to do.

[Bryancd]

I do find it funny that it wasn't too long ago people were deriding the MacAir and now I think it's clear the direction this market is going. Apple correctly identified the traditionla lap top model was going to become less important and the ultra portable market is the future.

[Rico]

Bryan, how do you match your above comments with the new MacBook Pro that just came out?  More power, more weight, higher res. screen, etc.  I have always said it's all about the right tool for the right job.  A tablet is fine for some things, an ultrabook is fine for a bit more, and a full blown laptop more, and a desktop even more.  Some people can get by with less computing power if all they do is hop on Facebook and play games, etc.  Anyway, I really don't see people all going to one device anytime soon.  In fact, I see people having even more devices in the future.  I mean how many folks now have a smart phone, a tablet or ultrabook, and a laptop and a desktop?  Many people.

[Bryancd]

Apple won't abandon the lap top business anytime soon. Yes, people, and more specifically enterprise and business use, still require a fully functional lap top. What I am suggesting, and I feel strongly that Microsoft's move here proves the point along with the MacBook Air, is that the ultra portable device market, PDA's, smart phones, ultra portable laptops, is a MASSIVE developing market that when it becomes more ubiquitous will eclipse the traditional full powered lap top/desk top market. It's inevitable based on the majority use case of people. Lap tops will become more marginalized simply through the power of sheer numbers. It makes sense as beyond business use, most people use technology for relatively light weight computing needs. The exception is gaming but that market is becoming very bifurcated between various devices and that trend will also continue.

[Rico]

Yep, I can see that.  The other big thing really driving all this is the actual hardware.  You can pack a LOT of power into smaller and smaller devices now vs. even just 5 years ago.  I mean quad core phones?!?!  It's crazy!

[Jobydrone]

Yep the key to the massive success that companies like Apple and Microsoft enjoy is targeting the average user.  Not the average podcaster, or the average gamer, but the majority of people who are mostly looking to spend $500 bucks or so on something to check their email, watch Netflix on, and surf their favorite websites.  I think this huge market, especially in this economy, will refuse to own a smartphone, tablet, laptop, and desktop that are all doing the same things for them.  To offer a tablet that is cheaper than your average new laptop computer, that has a keyboard, USB connector, and can run the programs they already use (Microsoft Office, Windows Media PLayer, etc.) could be a huge win for MSFT.

[Bryancd]

Yep the key to the massive success that companies like Apple and Microsoft enjoy is targeting the average user.  Not the average podcaster, or the average gamer, but the majority of people who are mostly looking to spend $500 bucks or so on something to check their email, watch Netflix on, and surf their favorite websites.  I think this huge market, especially in this economy, will refuse to own a smartphone, tablet, laptop, and desktop that are all doing the same things for them.  To offer a tablet that is cheaper than your average new laptop computer, that has a keyboard, USB connector, and can run the programs they already use (Microsoft Office, Windows Media PLayer, etc.) could be a huge win for MSFT.

It must be the Summer Solstice. Joby is brilliant today. Hold me...   :love

[Jobydrone]

Ha, you're going to give me a big head Bryan.  I think this is the opinion I've always held on the topic, though.

[Bryancd]

Ha, you're going to give me a big head Bryan.  I think this is the opinion I've always held on the topic, though.

Yes, I recall you and I were of the same mind in rgeards to these macro trends in personal computing. I do think you presented my contention very eloquently.

[Jobydrone]

Well you might be rubbing off on me a little, I'll admit.  Enough of the mutual admiration society...Clone Wars sucks!!!  Kidding, kidding.

[Bryancd]

Well you might be rubbing off on me a little, I'll admit.  Enough of the mutual admiration society...Clone Wars sucks!!!  Kidding, kidding.

Can't hear you, George Lucas is currently raping my childhood...

[turtlesrock]

some funny things: