Linked by Thom Holwerda on Tue 16th Oct 2012 12:14 UTC
After yesterday's TV advertisement, Microsoft finally unveiled the pricing for its Surface tablet - the ARM Windows RT version that is. The cheapest Surface - 32GB without touch cover - will set you back $499. They're aiming straight for iPad pricing here, ignoring the popular cheaper Android offerings. Update: only available in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and the United States. As usual.
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Member since:2007-08-22
If it's well integrated with Active Directory, Exchange, Office, etc, and I assume it is, it will sell very well in the enterprise market.
Not necessarily.
Many are already introducing iPad/iPhone support, which means they've already left the boat and iPads and iPhones are cheaper than these Microsoft Win8 devices - it's kind of sad when Apple can beat you on price.
Those that have not, won't like these price points since they'll be able to get a laptop for that price instead, one that is easier to manage and they already have a policy for.
So there is no real win situation here.
Member since:2006-07-16
Supporting iPad and Android requires third party tools and it a hassle for IT.
Support for Windows tablets is integrated in the operating system and Microsoft tools and services, which means less complexity and costs.
Microsoft is going to get a big chunk of the tablets market, at least in the enterprise space.
Member since:2009-06-18
Yeah, but for a tablet 98% of what people need is handled by ActiveSync (e-mail, calendar, and contacts), and IT's concerns are handled by enforcing security policies, remote wipe, etc. which the major devices all support.
Another 1% takes a VPN, which the iPad more often than not can handle.
There is only a small slice of people left that need more than that on a pure tablet.
When the x64 Win8 devices come out, it may be a different story. I expect there will be some interesting laptop/tablet convertible devices available that will appeal to business, where all the Active Directory aspects come into more focus. Lenovo has advertised one that I am sure will appeal to lots of business travelers.
Edited 2012-10-16 19:04 UTC
Member since:2012-06-22
No.
You could make Furby AD compatible but that doesn't mean enterprise will buy it.
Surface can't:
1. Run $internal_application
2. Run Windows applications.
3. Run $plug_in required for intranet or Citrix
99% of enterprise computers are on desks and don't need to go anywhere. Surface doesn't offer enough benefits over a laptop to make it worth purchasing.
Disclosure: I'm a .NET enterprise developer and I think Windows 8 is a POS.
Member since:2010-04-06
No it won't.
Enterprise needs absolute control of internal security and that means installing custom software that they likely developed. My company has even went as far as to forbid anyone from bringing in a tablet since they are security risks.
Not to mention the impossible task of even developing software on one of them.
Member since:2009-08-18
No it won't.
Enterprise needs absolute control of internal security and that means installing custom software that they likely developed. My company has even went as far as to forbid anyone from bringing in a tablet since they are security risks.
Enterprise needs absolute control of internal security and that means installing custom software that they likely developed. My company has even went as far as to forbid anyone from bringing in a tablet since they are security risks.
Win 8 tablets can use group policy.
Not to mention the impossible task of even developing software on one of them.
Well, POS (point of sale) system at the the local shop in spain begs to differ, fully touch screen running on what looks Windows NT 4.0 workstation. It could easily be a Metro App.
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Member since:
2006-07-16
If it's well integrated with Active Directory, Exchange, Office, etc, and I assume it is, it will sell very well in the enterprise market.