• Pricing May Be Secret to Surface Tablet's Success

    by
    Michael Essany
    Published on 2012-06-20 03:42 AM
    37 Comments Comments


    On Tuesday, MMi's Phillip Swanson meticulously outlined the pros and cons of Microsoft's freshly unveiled Surface tablet, which by all accounts, heralds Microsoft’s entry into the tablet market - a move that has the potential "to be a legitimate challenger if for no other reason than Microsoft owns over 90% of the personal computing OS market share worldwide."

    But in addition to the positive attributes (and no shortage of borrowed ideas from Apple) that underscore the creation, look, and functionality of the Surface tablet, there may be one attribute above all others that will do the most to help Microsoft knock the iPad down a peg or two: the Surface tablet's price.

    As of this writing, Microsoft hasn't confirmed what the company's new tablet will cost. But the buzz inside the company suggests that the Surface may tread deep below the surface of where other competitive tablets dwell. In fact, the Surface tablet may not only be priced below the new iPad's introductory level, it could also be priced below the Amazon Kindle Fire, which presently retails for just $199.

    Microsoft's long anticipated foray into tablet territory was believed to have been the chief motivator for Apple to create a so-called iPad Mini, which some analysts believe could be announced this fall and similarly be priced at or below $199. If so, Microsoft will have a much harder time gaining traction against Apple in this arena.
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Pricing May Be Secret to Surface Tablet's Success started by Michael Essany View original post
    1. Categories:
    2. Apple,
    3. iPad
    Comments 37 Comments
    1. cpotoso's Avatar
      cpotoso - 2012-06-20, 04:46 AM
      The idea of the keyboard on the cover is excellent, and if it runs Office it has already a significant advantage over the ipad. I only wish the lighter and thinner model would also feature the wacom pen, as I find that drawing with ipad pens to be very bad.
    1. fbiryujin's Avatar
      fbiryujin - 2012-06-20, 05:07 AM
      There is no way that a tablet with an i5 processor and a full desktop OS will retail under $199. Less than the entry level iPad, maybe. Less than Kindle Fire, highly unlikely
    1. control635's Avatar
      control635 - 2012-06-20, 05:11 AM
      I really can't wait for this... the more I read the more psyched I get for it.
    1. Tario70's Avatar
      Tario70 - 2012-06-20, 05:23 AM
      Except that's not the version they're talking about. If it retails for $199, it will be the RT version that doesn't feature an i5. RT is am ARM processor. Big difference!
    1. terrorhead's Avatar
      terrorhead - 2012-06-20, 05:28 AM
      Soon Windows users can sync their viruses and take them on the go.
    1. teej1410's Avatar
      teej1410 - 2012-06-20, 05:43 AM
      This tablet looks cool but the OS UI look terrible.
    1. Cer0's Avatar
      Cer0 - 2012-06-20, 05:48 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by teej1410 View Post
      This tablet looks cool but the OS UI look terrible.
      I'm with you there. Looks awesome but not a fan of the UI for the OS.
    1. bluestrk's Avatar
      bluestrk - 2012-06-20, 06:06 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by terrorhead View Post
      Soon Windows users can sync their viruses and take them on the go.
      I love when people talk out their ***. MACs get viruses as well. Reason being till recent years MAC has been way below the radar of main stream users choice of computer. Kinda happens when M$ has 90% market share on OS, you become a target.
    1. Dark_Ninja's Avatar
      Dark_Ninja - 2012-06-20, 06:06 AM
      Why is everyone so persistent on bashing the tablets and windows about viruses? The funny thing on my sony vaio lap top that I have had for a couple years now has not had a single virus... And I don't run any type of virus scanner or anything like norton or mcaffee or anything. Because .. Ohhhh that's right I don't do things I shouldn't be doing. I browse the web constantly and download .. Many things not going into specifics but it's not the computer it's the user!!!
    1. Mrteacup's Avatar
      Mrteacup - 2012-06-20, 07:04 AM
      they have to price low atm. because most tablet users have probably settled for an iPad by now a $500 investment. the average person isn't willing to spend over 200-300 on a new tablet after buying an iPad. heck most wont even buy one because they already bot an iPad. It will take years for microsoft to make a better impression but this was a good release date considering apple just kicked out the iPad 1s from updates. So iPad one users will be looking for a new option and a microsoft tablet for much cheaper will do fine.

      the disadvantage for microsoft is that they have to get users that have already purchased a tablet. So the best thing to do is to get users that haven't purchased or want a new tablet from the iPad 1/2. And a cheaper price appeals a lot more to them because most who haven't purchased don't want to spend that much money.
    1. iDeadman's Avatar
      iDeadman - 2012-06-20, 09:31 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by terrorhead View Post
      Soon Windows users can sync their viruses and take them on the go.
      Zing!
    1. subywrex's Avatar
      subywrex - 2012-06-20, 09:32 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by Dark_Ninja View Post
      Why is everyone so persistent on bashing the tablets and windows about viruses? The funny thing on my sony vaio lap top that I have had for a couple years now has not had a single virus... And I don't run any type of virus scanner or anything like norton or mcaffee or anything. Because .. Ohhhh that's right I don't do things I shouldn't be doing. I browse the web constantly and download .. Many things not going into specifics but it's not the computer it's the user!!!
      in all fairness how do you know if you don't run anti virus? browsing the web alone, opening an email alone, can give you a virus. Yes OSX are not virus proof because ultimately you still have root access.. But in order to even give the option to install to your root you have to put in your password (not just click an "ok" button). Most of OSX run in a sandbox, leaving root access out of the picture.

      I mean there is no point of denying virus's on a PC it happens very often.
    1. Eonhpi's Avatar
      Eonhpi - 2012-06-20, 10:37 AM
      Mac an PCs get virus it's just matter on how tech Stavy the user is ..I have never had a virus on my pc and I had it for 3 years!!
    1. krayzeeman's Avatar
      krayzeeman - 2012-06-20, 11:50 AM
      Maybe if the thing is not locked down we can install Max OS X (hackintosh) on it, and get the best of both worlds...

      If it's locked down we just have to wait for a jailbreak, but most of us are used to this

      I guess there will be people that want to run other OS's on the device like linux, so this does not seem really unlikely to happen...
    1. klouud's Avatar
      klouud - 2012-06-20, 12:04 PM
      OMG this is great! The only problem is that this little baby runs Windows... take that away and you have yourself a real winner. And by all that I meant... sarcasm, sarcasm, sarcasm... blah blah blah... sarcasm.
    1. anekin007's Avatar
      anekin007 - 2012-06-20, 12:16 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by subywrex View Post
      in all fairness how do you know if you don't run anti virus? browsing the web alone, opening an email alone, can give you a virus. Yes OSX are not virus proof because ultimately you still have root access.. But in order to even give the option to install to your root you have to put in your password (not just click an "ok" button). Most of OSX run in a sandbox, leaving root access out of the picture.

      I mean there is no point of denying virus's on a PC it happens very often.
      Only idiots who click on links from junk mail from random people they don't know get virus or spyware. Web browsing gets viruses? If you stay clear from porn sites or illegal software sites you should be clear. The Internet is safer than you think. It's the user that makes the errors. One of my laptops ran without a antivirus for years and I never caught a single thing.
    1. chillyiomi's Avatar
      chillyiomi - 2012-06-20, 01:23 PM
      Originally Posted by terrorhead
      Soon Windows users can sync their viruses and take them on the go.
      Seriously, it's people like you that make me think most MAC users are ignorant hipsters. -_-

      This tablet looks very nice, if Microsoft does this correctly the ipad could have another serious competitor. I think it would be nice to run Ubuntu on that tablet.
    1. Eddy91's Avatar
      Eddy91 - 2012-06-20, 02:07 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by chillyiomi View Post
      Seriously, it's people like you that make me think most MAC users are ignorant hipsters. -_-

      This tablet looks very nice, if Microsoft does this correctly the ipad could have another serious competitor. I think it would be nice to run Ubuntu on that tablet.
      They are, thinking they are all web, graphic, software devs, when really they have a £1000 facebook machine. Bellends
    1. bigboyz's Avatar
      bigboyz - 2012-06-20, 03:37 PM
      They let the cat out of the bag. Now all of their competition(Apple included) can start thinking of even better ideas for their iPad. Very foolish move but expected is suppose. I could care less about native this and that as there is "an app for that" hahahaha! Time will tell in the meantime let the games begin!
    1. terrorhead's Avatar
      terrorhead - 2012-06-20, 03:45 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by bluestrk View Post
      I love when people talk out their ***. MACs get viruses as well. Reason being till recent years MAC has been way below the radar of main stream users choice of computer. Kinda happens when M$ has 90% market share on OS, you become a target.
      Yep I'm talking out of my ***. And your right Macs do get viruses. I've had my mac for 6 years still no viruses. And M$ can keep their 90% market share along with the 90% virus attacks.

      Seriously, it's people like you that make me think most MAC users are ignorant hipsters. -_-
      Yep I'm also an ignorant hipster you got me pegged. I know your next guess is a construction worker so good for you. Sorry for liking a computer that just works. And I didn't mean to hurt anyones feelings.
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