PC vendors are not especially excited that Microsoft will be building its own tablet. We have known that for some time, but the tone that is used to criticize Microsoft is getting more serious and may be surprising.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Acer's CEO JT Wang gave us a taste what is going on behind the scenes between PC makers and the Windows company, something we usually can only speculate about:
"We have said [to Microsoft] think it over. Think twice. It will create a huge negative impact for the ecosystem and other brands may take a negative reaction. It is not something you are good at so please think twice."
There are several subtle messages that are buried in this statement. The translation: "Surface is killing our business. You have had your fun, but it's time to tell everyone that it was just an idea that will never see the light of the day."
Of course, Wang's note carries some of the fear that Surface could be turning into a success and become the iPad of the Windows world, leaving even fewer crumbs of a market that is being cleaned up by Apple. Even if his complaint sounds a bit like whining over a product that was really the PC industry's opportunity to lose, the justification for Wang's concern is that Microsoft has a big advantage - it can deal with Windows OEM licensing cost, even if unfair practices would most likely land the company in an antitrust case.
As silly as Wang's complaint may sound, and as much as PC makers have missed the chance to build a compelling tablet so far, the executive has every reason to send a careful warning shot in across Microsoft's bow. Microsoft's business is built on a large ecosystem that works in perfect harmony. Microsoft cannot afford any disruption, especially ahead of the critical launch of Windows 8.
Pre-built Windows PCs have long been cheaply made and flimsy products that have only had one real thing in common over the years. Microsoft. Windows has been what has made a pile of ill-fitting Chinese-made parts a user-friendly, working machine.
In contrast, Apple devices, (although I generally dislike them for other reasons), have been relatively well-built pieces of hardware. If Microsoft can build products that are similar in build quality to something like a MacBook, then I'm all in.
So why are you running scared, eh?
Mostly he's just pissed because Acer hasn't had a design that innovative, um, ever? He's also miffed that Microsoft used a press event like that instead of just putting the design in a plexi-glass box at computex. I mean what's the big deal? It's just a keyboard/trackpad cover on a slate pc. Big whoopidie doo. /rolley eyes.
Pre-built Windows PCs have long been cheaply made and flimsy products that have only had one real thing in common over the years. Microsoft. Windows has been what has made a pile of ill-fitting Chinese-made parts a user-friendly, working machine.
In contrast, Apple devices, (although I generally dislike them for other reasons), have been relatively well-built pieces of hardware. If Microsoft can build products that are similar in build quality to something like a MacBook, then I'm all in.
+1 I couldn't have said it better.
Yes, the windows Surface will probably suck but thats no excuse for having bad products (Acer)
Am I the only one who doesnt like them?
For right now Apple (like them or not)has the business model everyone covets because it is working. Why wouldn't Microsoft try to attain some of that?
Oh thou great prognosticator please tell me what my 401k stocks are going to do so I can make lots of money since you know all about what makes a business successful... :eye roll:
I have no idea about Surface really, but based off of the direction MS has taken with 8, I would say it'll be a fail. MS trying to be Apple has never worked because Apple had style. MS feels like clutter. I have yet to own an Apple product (I will not pay that much for something I can build and have to occasionlly work on), but there's a reason so many people loved Jobs. He encouraged his company to make things easy and likeable for people. That's not what MS has ever been known for.
The only way Surface may become something more than forgotten, is if they add some XBOX games to it like a hand held gaming tablet. It's the one console that doesn't have a hand held. Especially if they were to add Kinect 2 tech and a mini projector. Making a Kinect/Xbox/Tablet hybrid is the only way I see MS making this kind of hardware work. Otherwise it'll just be another tablet that will be trying to catch up to Apple rather than moving Apple into second place.
Microsoft can not compete with Apple when it comes to style, perception or 'coolness'.
That's like Honda trying to compete with Rolls Royce.
Microsoft builds for the masses, Apple for 'ego' oriented minorities.
I think the real message is that Acer (and others) just need to make a good product. If they had then MS would not even think to enter the hardware market. Acer in particular makes some really cheap and crappy products (though much improved over previous products they have designed). It is time for them to innovate and make something desirable, or else move into a different market.
Hmm, no I don't see that. I see MS stepping up with Surface because when it comes to tablets the hardware OEMs have done a good job of missing the mark for almost ten years. Surface gives OEMs both something to shoot for and a swift kick in the pants.