Linked by Thom Holwerda on Tue 14th Aug 2012 15:36 UTC
Windows "According to an inside source, a session was held at Microsoft's recent TechReady15 conference in which all the launch details were laid out. If things go according to the plan detailed then, the Surface for Windows RT tablet will be launching October 26th - no surprise there - at a compelling price of $199." My wallet just squealed in pure bliss.
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Intel should feel threatened
by shotsman on Wed 15th Aug 2012 03:42 UTC
shotsman
Member since:
2005-07-22

If this is the true price (+ local taxes etc) then it seems to me blindingly obvious that MS wants to retire windows on a PC with an X86 chip unless it is running Windows Server.

This may not happen for a couple of years but to me, their aim is pretty obvious. Price this so low that no one else can make any money. This will drive the competion out of businesss. People will choose a Surface device over a normal PC because of the cost. They are not only after the PC biz but the whole Android and Apple infrastructure.
This might seem a bit far fetched but I firmly believe that MS wants to put all their competitors out of business. This is a high rish gambit and may fail. If it does then MS will have to break itself up to survive.

The next few years will be rather interesting.

Edited 2012-08-15 03:42 UTC

Reply Score: 2

ze_jerkface Member since:
2012-06-22

Intel may be the best way out of this mess.

x86 tablets means will put an end to Sinofsky's wet dream of selling Windows without Win32.

People want Windows with the applications and not an overly animated ad screen instead of the start menu.

If Intel can keep cutting the fabs it won't be long until ARM advantages are offset by Win32/.NET compatibility. x86 tablets don't have to beat ARM on battery life, they just need to be thin and get around 8 hours.

Reply Parent Score: 1

zima Member since:
2005-07-06

If Intel can keep cutting the fabs it won't be long until ARM advantages are offset

We've been hearing this for several years now, how it's just around the corner...
Meanwhile, ARM goes forward too, you know.

And MS tried with ~desktop apps on tablets, people don't like that approach. Pretty much making ARM the entrenched one.

Reply Parent Score: 2