Microsoft exec promotes value of Windows 8 PCs, calls iPad mini a $329 'recreational tablet'
After Windows 8 debuted on Thursday, Microsoft's Steven Sinofsky offered his view of the computing landscape, and said PCs represent a great value when compared to "recreational tablets," alluding to Apple's new iPad mini.
Sinofsky told AllThingsD that Microsoft has been able to work with its hardware partners to drive down prices to a point where students can get a computer good enough to last them through college.
?These are fantastic machines,? Sinfosky said of one of many reasonably-priced Windows 8 laptops shown at Microsoft's event. ?It?s $279. Here we are, talking about seven-inch recreational tablets for $329.?
Although not mentioned by name, the Windows chief was referring to Apple's iPad mini, which went up for preorder on Friday. The mid-size tablet's pricing was cited as a possible hurdle for Apple, however preorders for all white and silver models sold out after being available for less than one hour.
As for how Microsoft manages to offer laptops at below-tablet prices, Sinofsky said, ?It?s not just discounting. It?s engineering work that drives the cost down."
Microsoft President of Windows and Windows Live Steven Sinofsky at the Windows 8 event on Thursday. | Source: Microsoft
The new Windows OS is seen as a significant release for Microsoft, as it takes the operating system into uncharted waters, attempting to bridge the gap between tablets and PCs. Sinofsky admitted that even Windows 8 can't be everything to all people, as evidenced by the Surface RT which runs a stripped down version of the operating system that isn't backwards compatible with older Windows software.
?It really is a PC for everyone,? he said. ?Is it for everyone all the time? No.?
Microsoft will launch the more full-featured Surface Pro, which runs a complete version of Windows 8, in a few months, though pricing is thought to start at $799.
Sinofsky took time to defend the tablet after the device garnered some negative comments from Apple CEO Tim Cook, who said it was "compromised" and "confusing."
The Microsoft executive countered, saying that while the iPad may be well-suited for a short getaway, Microsoft's Surface can "suffice" on longer business trips. He failed to explain how the Surface RT's price tag of $499, which jumps to $599 with an optional touch cover keyboard, is justified in light of his earlier statements about reasonable Windows 8 machines.
Sinofsky told AllThingsD that Microsoft has been able to work with its hardware partners to drive down prices to a point where students can get a computer good enough to last them through college.
?These are fantastic machines,? Sinfosky said of one of many reasonably-priced Windows 8 laptops shown at Microsoft's event. ?It?s $279. Here we are, talking about seven-inch recreational tablets for $329.?
Although not mentioned by name, the Windows chief was referring to Apple's iPad mini, which went up for preorder on Friday. The mid-size tablet's pricing was cited as a possible hurdle for Apple, however preorders for all white and silver models sold out after being available for less than one hour.
As for how Microsoft manages to offer laptops at below-tablet prices, Sinofsky said, ?It?s not just discounting. It?s engineering work that drives the cost down."
Microsoft President of Windows and Windows Live Steven Sinofsky at the Windows 8 event on Thursday. | Source: Microsoft
The new Windows OS is seen as a significant release for Microsoft, as it takes the operating system into uncharted waters, attempting to bridge the gap between tablets and PCs. Sinofsky admitted that even Windows 8 can't be everything to all people, as evidenced by the Surface RT which runs a stripped down version of the operating system that isn't backwards compatible with older Windows software.
?It really is a PC for everyone,? he said. ?Is it for everyone all the time? No.?
Microsoft will launch the more full-featured Surface Pro, which runs a complete version of Windows 8, in a few months, though pricing is thought to start at $799.
Sinofsky took time to defend the tablet after the device garnered some negative comments from Apple CEO Tim Cook, who said it was "compromised" and "confusing."
The Microsoft executive countered, saying that while the iPad may be well-suited for a short getaway, Microsoft's Surface can "suffice" on longer business trips. He failed to explain how the Surface RT's price tag of $499, which jumps to $599 with an optional touch cover keyboard, is justified in light of his earlier statements about reasonable Windows 8 machines.
Comments
7 inches? He must be referring to a Kindle or Nexus.
yeah, RIM tried that tactic when they promoted their "Playbook", calling the iPad a toy compared to theirs.
...
Didn't work out too well for them either.
Tell that to all the companies that use iPads exclusively for business. That includes mine. Just about every executive has an iPad hooked up to Exchange and creating documents etc.
Right iPad Mini is 'recreational.' Because there's so much more productivity software available on Windows 8 RT Surface.
Don't think you can pull the wool over our eyes at how seriously you take it...
no doubt it is a recreational tablet... it is a toy basically - it goes from MAC to PC to every other trash mobile OS
Talent usually decreases as you go down the line... why do you think most of the Apps are games.
A lot of people are apparently dummies who lack basic math skills. 7.9 = 7?
Apple doesn't make any 7" tablets, they must be referring to all of the crappy Android tablets out there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacTel
Tell that to all the companies that use iPads exclusively for business. That includes mine. Just about every executive has an iPad hooked up to Exchange and creating documents etc.
Yeah, probably by the same idiot Executive we run into that do not understan the concept of a corporate Implementation manuel - and corporate fonts.
half my day is spent now rejecting presentations made on mickey mouse tablet apps with random font selection - we at least get a decent laugh when we open them.
everything of value is still produced on a real OS - either OSX or Windows.
I see, Windows RT = PC, iPad = recreational tablet. Is this due to it being Windows or having a version of Office or something else?
It would seem to me these are all PCs in the strictest term, all of them being personal computing devices. If they want to break them down in to different categories such as laptops, desktops, tablets, that's fine, but they're all still personal computers. One could even claim that smartphones are the most personal of all the computing devices out there. The only way it could get more personal if it's embedded into someone (don't worry, it's coming!).
Anyone who says they got an iPad or a Surface, or a Nexus purely for productive purposes is insane... or lying.
Code for "We look for the cheapest possible parts that we can find so that you can buy a laptop for a very low price...every 3 months."
Sinofsky has been well and truly suckered into this response. What a dumbass thing to say, of course a mini is a recreational device it's not trying to be anything else Apple has serious laptops for serious use.
If it weren't for iPad, Windows 8 would be something very different.
Quote:
Originally Posted by agramonte
Yeah, probably by the same idiot Executive we run into that do not understan the concept of a corporate Implementation manuel - and corporate fonts.
half my day is spent now rejecting presentations made on mickey mouse tablet apps with random font selection - we at least get a decent laugh when we open them.
everything of value is still produced on a real OS - either OSX or Windows.
Did Apple rape your dog or something? So much hate. It's a FACT that iOS has gotten deep penetration in the corporate world, and is now the leader, where once it was RIM. Your opinion of it is irrelevant. Businesses have deployed and use iOS, along withtheir own custom apps, and no doubt saw benefit in doing so, through cost, efficiency, simplicity, etc- otherwise they wouldnt have made the jump. These decisions don't happen easily. The fact that you're butthurt that Apple hasn't updated the Mac Pro or something doesnt make all companies who have deployed iOS (90% of Fortune 500 companies) idiots. What a childish sentiment. Oh wait, you're the guy that just obsessively bitches about no matte screens for the iMac and therefore despises everything else about Apple. Continue on your useless, irrelevant crusade.
Its nice to see the execs of both microsoft and apple playing the "trash the other companies products" chess match.
Test your might,
Compromised, Recreational
MORTAL COMBAT!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slurpy
Did Apple rape your dog or something? So much hate. It's a FACT that iOS has gotten deep penetration in the corporate world, and is now the leader, where once it was RIM. Your opinion of it is irrelevant. Businesses have deployed and use iOS, along withtheir own custom apps, and no doubt saw benefit in doing so, through cost, efficiency, simplicity, etc- otherwise they wouldnt have made the jump. These decisions don't happen easily. The fact that you're butthurt that Apple hasn't updated the Mac Pro or something doesnt make all companies who have deployed iOS (90% of Fortune 500 companies) idiots. What a childish sentiment.
I know in my company *20billion not fortune500*, its start going from blackberry to iphone, but now they have stopped iphone implementation due to cost, and are going to a variety of android handsets.
No mac's of course, as we have EDS, an HP company, supplying us Dells
:V
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dookie Howsre
Sinofsky = Balmer2.0 minus 200 lbs.
And he looks like Dr. Evil. Maybe these new MS tablets should attached to sharks with laser beams.
LOL!
Of course!