What did the CEO of Microsoft smoke when he ordered production of the Surface RT

[MrX8503]

Then Apple came along with a tablet and MS screwed that up too.

I think MS's vision of a single device does have merit, but their implementation is horrible.

 

[StrangerGuy]

It is comical watching the two tech giants in the PC industry stumble all over themselves over the direction the market has moved in the past few years.

I dont think they get it either. Like when Nintendo came out and arcades throught people would still spend 25-50 cents a game.

Despite all the setbacks, MS at least has a much better mindshare than Intel and their financials reflect that. Ask any non tech-interested person about Intel he would be like "Intel who?".

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

Microsoft's saving grace is that they have their hands in so many pots. They can afford losses in the consumer realm and still pull off 4-5 billion in profit without breaking a sweat.

Apple and Google are MUCH more exposed to the fickleness of the consumer world. Imagine if a search competitor or service came out that dropped Google's web traffic by 20%. That would have a disastrous impact on the company as their sole source is revenue is ads. The same goes for Apple and their phones/tablets.

Apple and Google both WISH they were as diversified as Microsoft is right now.

 

[ultimatebob]

As has been said in this thread Windows RT exists for strategic reasons only. It's there to compete with Android on ARM and to put pressure on Intel. Let's also not forget that Windows NT came out on Intel, MIPS, PowerPC, Alpha, and a host of other platforms before settling on Intel. Microsoft can and does take risks because they have a other businesses that can subsidize it.

No offense, but it's probably had the opposite effect considering what a flop RT has been so far. I'm imagining that some product managers at Intel are thinking "Haha! Nice try, but you're our bitch now, Microsoft"

If I was Intel, I would be much more afraid of products like the new iPad or the Nexus 7, which use ARM technology and are doing so successfully.