Intel Windows 8 tabs to start at 600 USD?

[Bateluer]

http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/16/intel-windows-8-tablet-pricing/

The site indicates that neither Intel nor Microsoft are willing to cut their prices to help manufacturers, the former providing the Clover Trail hardware and the latter the Windows 8 software, which could see these machines starting at $599 and going way up from there.

Oy, this is a total fail IMO. At a minimum, they need to have price parity with the entry level iPad. That 500 dollar price is the baseline for a 'standard' tablet.

Course, this is for Intel, x86 based tablets. Not certain if ARM based Windows 8 devices will price themselves out of the market yet.

 

[YoungGun21]

I think these are designed to be a little more useful than the iPad.

 

[theeedude]

Bad move. People aren't going to pay more than iPad, not with Android tablets at $300

 

[swanysto]

I would pay $600 if it is capable or running the programs I need it to.

 

[Mopetar]

The price will really be set based on how full-featured these tablets turn out to be. If it's just Metro, it's probably not worth much more than an iPad or Android tablet, but if it can also provide a full Windows experience, it has a lot of additional value. If I could get a keyboard dock for a Windows 8 tablet (similar to the ASUS Transformer) and a full desktop Windows mode if I wanted it, I could see a Windows 8 tablet being worth $600.

 

[gevorg]

I wanted to get a W8 tablet but its not worth if it costs even higher than iPad. I would expect it to be cheaper since its a brand new platform unlike iPad which has been around for more than 2 years. Its too early for W8 to command a high price. The x86 support is great, but there are very little x86 apps that are tablet friendly.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Clover Field = Same ole crappy Atom "SoCs" we know and "love."

Basically you can have a tablet similar to this today, but you have to provide the Windows 8 later:

http://www.buy.com/pr/product.aspx?sku=220397038&sellerid=34865150

Until Intel starts to make Medfield tablets, x86 as a whole is uninteresting in the form-factor. Until MS works out a way to merge the world of touch and mouse (in an Apple-ish seamless way and not the "pick the 64 bit version if you need it" disaster that MS usually brings out) then Windows is uninteresting in the form factor.

 

[Bateluer]

The price will really be set based on how full-featured these tablets turn out to be. If it's just Metro, it's probably not worth much more than an iPad or Android tablet, but if it can also provide a full Windows experience, it has a lot of additional value. If I could get a keyboard dock for a Windows 8 tablet (similar to the ASUS Transformer) and a full desktop Windows mode if I wanted it, I could see a Windows 8 tablet being worth $600.

Why buy a 600 dollar W8 tablet and a 150 dollar keyboard dock to run x86 programs, when you can spend less money and get a full featured and more powerful laptop?

 

[Zaap]

I hate how the iPad has dumbed down the tablet concept so much that even tech-oriented people that should know better now think a tablet PC is akin to an iPad. If Apple actually had a similar product, it'd be running OSX Lion and full desktop apps, not iOS.

$600 is a bargain if these tablets have full on tablet PC stats.

For an actual REAL comparison: the Asus Eee slate is $1,000+ and worth every penny since it's a REAL computer, not a toy. I haven't seen Asus complain that the Eee Slate isn't making money at that price point. If they can make a Win 8 tablet at the $600 range, it'll be a steal. Expecting a lower price is just a fantasy unless these are just toys running some horrible Metro-only 'tablet OS' which would be a giant FAIL right off the bat.

 

[Dominato3r]

The difference being I actually feel like using a Windows 8 tablet. I would be willing to buy for a $600 Windows Tablet.

 

[poofyhairguy]

For an actual REAL comparison: the Asus Eee slate is $1,000+ and worth every penny since it's a REAL computer, not a toy.

I would argue a Windows tablet is more a toy than an iPad.

With a Windows tablet in order to get the full functionality out of it (aka actually USE most x86 apps) you need to hook up a keyboard and mouse. Once you have done that it is basically a laptop that you overpaid for to get touch ability for no good reason.

The iPad and its entire ecosystem is designed to be used with just the touchscreen. You can do a lot more productive things with just the iPad's touch screen than any Windows tablet's touch screen.

Hence why tens of millions of iPads have been sold, while MS couldn't get anyone to bite on tablets years ago.

 

[swanysto]

If you put a keyboard on a tablet, doesn't that basically make it a netbook?

 

[Strk]

I hate how the iPad has dumbed down the tablet concept so much that even tech-oriented people that should know better now think a tablet PC is akin to an iPad. If Apple actually had a similar product, it'd be running OSX Lion and full desktop apps, not iOS.

$600 is a bargain if these tablets have full on tablet PC stats.

For an actual REAL comparison: the Asus Eee slate is $1,000+ and worth every penny since it's a REAL computer, not a toy. I haven't seen Asus complain that the Eee Slate isn't making money at that price point. If they can make a Win 8 tablet at the $600 range, it'll be a steal. Expecting a lower price is just a fantasy unless these are just toys running some horrible Metro-only 'tablet OS' which would be a giant FAIL right off the bat.

I think the problem is whether or not the technology will really be there. With this push for tablets, people want them thinner and lighter. The current slates aren't exactly either of those things. Maybe that's MS's goal with Win 8. I mean, they could just stick WP7 on a tablet and call it a day. Let's face it, all an ipad is is a jumbo itouch.

 

[ITHURTSWHENIP]

Microsoft is bound for failure with this strategy. The reason people love the Ipad is because it has great batterylife, its simple to use and supersmooth thanx to the dumbed down OS. Majority of people who buy these tablets just want to browse the web and go on youtube, not make powerpoint presentations.

Why would an X86 tablet running Intel Atom be any better than the current netbooks running Windows 7 and Atom? Because it has a touch interface now?

 

[BladeVenom]

So they are going to be offering a $600 netbook without a keyboard?

 

[Zaap]

I would argue a Windows tablet is more a toy than an iPad.

With a Windows tablet in order to get the full functionality out of it (aka actually USE most x86 apps) you need to hook up a keyboard and mouse. Once you have done that it is basically a laptop that you overpaid for to get touch ability for no good reason.

The Eee Slate for example, has a pen and wacom digitizer that's pressure sensitive. That means it does the one thing no blown up iPod or phone can do: I can get real work done with it in applications like Photoshop, Flash, Toon Boom Animate 2, Lightroom, etc.

It has an i5 processor and plenty of RAM -not some toy CPU and a weak amount of mobile RAM- which means it can handle high-res, REAL content for REAL work. Using iToy versions that are pale imitations of the real thing is for playing around, not actually work that pays bills.

I love the iPad for what it is, but it is NOT in league with a full blown tablet PC, not by a long shot.

And the fact that one can also hook up a real keyboard and mouse, USB perifs, full-function networking, printing, file system, etc. with a Tablet PC is not a weakness, they are just more plusses. The entry fee just isn't going to be sub $600 unless the Win 8 devices are trying to make yet another blown up iPod/phone. If they go that route, then these will die, because the Tablet PC market isn't the same as the mobile market.

The iPad and its entire ecosystem is designed to be used with just the touchscreen. You can do a lot more productive things with just the iPad's touch screen than any Windows tablet's touch screen.

I don't care about touch-screens, nor does anyone else who uses a tablet PC for actual billable work. Once more, the fact that people compare a TabletPC to an iPod's touch screen means that people aren't getting this is a whole different animal. If there's no pen input and wacom digitizer, then the Win8 Tablets FAIL. That's all there is to it. Touchscreens are great in the ecosystem you describe, but they are not the equal of a pen/wacom setup which allows for a level of control over things like drawing, painting, photo editing/retouching, handwriting, etc. that no iPad comes close to. Trying to use an iPad for the same desktop tasks is a joke- I've seen people try it and fail miserably because it's not the same thing. You're NOT doing real drawing or animation or photo/video editing at a pro level on a freakin' iPad, I don't care what nonsense anyone spouts about it.

 

[Mopetar]

Why buy a 600 dollar W8 tablet and a 150 dollar keyboard dock to run x86 programs, when you can spend less money and get a full featured and more powerful laptop?

Size and portability. A notebook is always a notebook. Something like the Transformer can be a tablet when you want a tablet and more like a notebook when you want that feature set. Also, $750 isn't going to buy me any kind of laptop that I'd want, but I can get a good tablet for that price.

If I were to purchase one, I have a feeling that the vast majority of the time it would be used as a tablet. It's a more convenient form factor to have around the house. However, if I want to do some productivity work, the keyboard dock and extra battery life provides a better experience.

 

[smartpatrol]

So they are going to be offering a $600 netbook without a keyboard?

I wouldn't even call it a netbook. Without a mouse/keyboard or laptop dock, a Windows 8 tablet is basically only good for Metro apps.

In other words, it's just as much of a giant smartphone/content consumption device as the iPad and Android tablets are. . . just with a smaller app store and a bigger price.

 

[Zaap]

I mean, they could just stick WP7 on a tablet and call it a day. Let's face it, all an ipad is is a jumbo itouch.

They could, and they'd be laughed out of the market place. (And believe me, I wouldn't put it past MS.)

If all they want to do is make another toy internet browser and "Whee! Look I can play Angry Birds on it!" blown up iPod/phone, then they've already failed. THAT'S what the current crop of iOS/Android tablets is for already,and they already do it better for less. MS's strength is Windows and full-blown desktop functionality with the apps that people already use. It's not just art/video/photo apps like I personally use, but a whole slew of medical/technical apps that various industries and professions use and need full-blown Windows to run. If They aren't catering to that and just want to make another weak-iPod imitator where people go "What? It's not $400?? Can't I play Cut the Rope on it?? Wahh!" then they'll fail. The EeeSlate is the model to follow, not the iPad.

Make it thinner/lighter/faster- sure! Make it W7 on a freakin' tablet- BLEH.

 

[quest55720]

I would gladly pay a little extra for a access to my 86 programs. If that 600 dollars tablet had a CPU that could run w8/86, had good build quality and a good docking keyboard I would be all over it. I am concidering getting a W500 once the W8 beta is official. Be the perfect tablet for work.

 

[ponyo]

The Eee Slate for example, has a pen and wacom digitizer that's pressure sensitive. That means it does the one thing no blown up iPod or phone can do: I can get real work done with it in applications like Photoshop, Flash, Toon Boom Animate 2, Lightroom, etc.

It has an i5 processor and plenty of RAM -not some toy CPU and a weak amount of mobile RAM- which means it can handle high-res, REAL content for REAL work. Using iToy versions that are pale imitations of the real thing is for playing around, not actually work that pays bills.

I love the iPad for what it is, but it is NOT in league with a full blown tablet PC, not by a long shot.

And the fact that one can also hook up a real keyboard and mouse, USB perifs, full-function networking, printing, file system, etc. with a Tablet PC is not a weakness, they are just more plusses. The entry fee just isn't going to be sub $600 unless the Win 8 devices are trying to make yet another blown up iPod/phone. If they go that route, then these will die, because the Tablet PC market isn't the same as the mobile market.




I don't care about touch-screens, nor does anyone else who uses a tablet PC for actual billable work. Once more, the fact that people compare a TabletPC to an iPod's touch screen means that people aren't getting this is a whole different animal. If there's no pen input and wacom digitizer, then the Win8 Tablets FAIL. That's all there is to it. Touchscreens are great in the ecosystem you describe, but they are not the equal of a pen/wacom setup which allows for a level of control over things like drawing, painting, photo editing/retouching, handwriting, etc. that no iPad comes close to. Trying to use an iPad for the same desktop tasks is a joke- I've seen people try it and fail miserably because it's not the same thing. You're NOT doing real drawing or animation or photo/video editing at a pro level on a freakin' iPad, I don't care what nonsense anyone spouts about it.

And the tablet you're talking about will appeal to 5% of the tablet buyers. General public doesn't use Photoshop, animate, Lightroom. I know I don't and the people I know. If Microsoft targets this market, their tablet will fail.

 

[Zaap]

And the tablet you're talking about will appeal to 5% of the tablet buyers.

Good. 5% of tablet buyers are professionals who need a real tablet for real work.

General public doesn't use Photoshop

LOL!

animate, Lightroom. I know I don't and the people I know. If Microsoft targets this market, their tablet will fail.

Right, the general public doesn't use Windows, and Windows applications. Sure.

Even on a tech forum, people think Windows 8= iOS and spout all of Steve Job's 'post PC' drivel as if it were actually true. Simply amazing.

 

[ponyo]

Good. 5% of tablet buyers are professionals who need a real tablet for real work.


LOL!


Right, the general public doesn't use Windows, and Windows applications. Sure.

Even on a tech forum, people think Windows 8= iOS and spout all of Steve Job's 'post PC' drivel as if it were actually true. Simply amazing.

You're telling me the general public uses $700 Photoshop program at home to edit their photo? My computer was $350 and free Picasa is good enough.

People use Windows because it comes with the computer. And most people are fine with the free MS Office starter bundled edition. Many home users have switched to free Google Docs or Open Office instead of paying for Microsoft Office because it's good enough and free. Businesses and students are the exception because MS Office is the standard.

MS failed with all their prior tablets because they tried to make your professional tablet.

 

[Zaap]

You're telling me the general public uses $700 Photoshop program at home to edit their photo? My computer was $350 and free Picasa is good enough.

No, they use Photoshop Elements to edit their photos. The reason there is Photoshop "Make Believe" for iOS and Android devices are due to it's popularity on the desktop, not the other way around.

MS failed with all their prior tablets because they tried to make your professional tablet.

There's a great comment on the OP's endgaget article (thank god there are still places on the web where real tech-minded people still gather) from someone saying that "...MS sure is generous year after year to keep making a 'failed' product just for ME!"

Yeah, someone tell companies like MotionComputing that they've failed, even though they've been making successful tablet PCs since before anyone ever dreamed of anything called an iPad, and they keep selling them. But it must just be all for me! How generous of them!

Someone alert Asus to cancel the EeeSlate because "success" isn't measured by having a product you've been regularly selling for over a year (and selling for 5 YEARS in the case of Motion's LE1700!), it's only measured by the fawning HYPE you get because everyone's kid wants to play Angry Birds on it.

Again, this is why I say I hate that Apple's success with the iPad has dumbed down the whole concept of a computer tablet. A Tablet PC is NOT a blown up mobile phone or iPod, and if they go that way, they fail because that market expects cheap sub $400 hardware that they can do basic stuff with, but you can't make an actual decent computer for that price.

It's fine that people want the cheap stuff, but there ARE many people that need something far more substantial in a tablet, and that's the real strength of using a full desktop OS. If the price has to be $1200+ as TabletPCs that are actually useful are, then so be it. It's NOT for Joe Blow that just wants to play Angry Birds and surf the web and has never heard of real applications like Photoshop.

Success isn't only defined by selling to Joe Blow and his iApp crowd. Just because the current hype has set up that phony 'benchmark' doesn't mean everyone has to race to the bottom to keep up with it.

 

[alent1234]

apple is doomed

all the corporations testing ipads now will throw them in the trash now