Microsoft to Impose Hardware Restrictions for Windows 8 Tablets
Microsoft had a few restrictions in place for manufacturers wishing to produce Windows Phone 7 devices. All devices had to carry a certain level of specs before Microsoft would give manufacturers the WP7 stamp of approval. Now it seems Redmond is also planning on imposing restrictions for Windows 8 tablets, too.
Microsoft has apparently informed hardware partners that restrictions for those planning Windows 8 tablets will be announced in the coming weeks. Manufacturers aren't too keen on the idea that Microsoft will be restricting the types of tablets they can produce, and Acer has been particularly vocal in its objections.
“They’re really controlling the whole thing, the whole process,” Bloomberg quotes Acer CEO J.T. Wang as saying in a Computex interview this week. “They try to set the game rules,” he said, and chip suppliers and PC makers “all feel it’s very troublesome.”
Though there is little in the way of specifics available right now, the Bloomberg report cites sources that say Microsoft will offer chipmakers incentives to partner with a single PC manufacturer. Bloomberg's sources say such incentives could include cheaper software or features that ensure the device runs more efficiently. The idea is that the restrictions will limit the variations of Windows tablets and, by having a tighter control, Microsoft will be able to deliver Windows 8 tablets that much faster.

Although - they need to make SURE that the minimums will actually RUN the OS too....
Did you guys even tried to run XP with less than 64MB? EVEN with 64MB? XD
Those restrictions are some-what a "common sense" thing, since you can't put, for instance, Win7 on a 486 and expect to tell MS "hey, your POS OS doesn't run on my 486!". Now... In all fairness... Why the hell a 5MP camera is mandatory, MS? Why? xD!
Cheers!
Although - they need to make SURE that the minimums will actually RUN the OS too....
Did you guys even tried to run XP with less than 64MB? EVEN with 64MB? XD
Those restrictions are some-what a "common sense" thing, since you can't put, for instance, Win7 on a 486 and expect to tell MS "hey, your POS OS doesn't run on my 486!". Now... In all fairness... Why the hell a 5MP camera is mandatory, MS? Why? xD!
Cheers!
Lolz. I've seen XP on 128mb, and that was pretty hilarious.
Your comment makes me want to try it on 32mb though.
Not quite, with Apple you get only ONE tablet, period. No customization, no choice of vendor/hardware manufacturer... nothing.
With MS, you get a MINIMUM specs requirement, then it's up to the manufacturer to improve on it. Resembles Apple's policy, but just on the first page, the rest of the book is completely different.
I, for one, prefer to have multiple choices and not get enrolled in an army of clones.
Limiting a maximum (like screen size for netbooks) would be a problem, but limiting a minimum spec is always welcome. I hate those real crappy low-end devices with android on them. This hurts the brand of the OS.