Acer Sternly Warns Microsoft Over Surface Tablet
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.
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Wolfgang Gruener is an experienced professional in digital strategy and content, specializing in web strategy, content architecture, user experience, and applying AI in content operations within the insurtech industry. His previous roles include Director, Digital Strategy and Content Experience at American Eagle, Managing Editor at TG Daily, and contributing to publications like Tom's Guide and Tom's Hardware.
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gtvr I really have to wonder what leverage the PC manufacturers have though. Will they stop selling Windows devices?Reply -
Jerky_san If you get enough money behind something anything is possible.. Imagine a sudden influx of billions into ubuntu development. Steam switches and many developers switch to opengl. Office programs start getting wrote for ubuntu and manufactures start pushing it. If you have enough money anything is possible.. And if they think MS is threatening that much the money will flow..Reply -
ojas ReplyIt is not something you are good at so please think twice
So why are you running scared, eh? -
dennisburke I think the Surface tablet will be good for consumers, provided Microsoft can create a product that will directly compete against Apple tit for tat...and that will take care of the high end market. For the rest of us that would like a tablet with the Microsoft platform at a more reasonable price, I would think that manufacturers will have lots of options available to provide something for everyone.Reply -
webdev511 I think what Mr. Wang was trying to say is "You came up with a very innovative design that we may have stumbled on eventually. You also launched that design in a very successful manner which we may have eventually been able to pull off."Reply
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. -
soo-nah-mee I highly anticipate the release and my purchase of one of the Surface models. I have very high expectations, and if they are met, PC builders like Acer DO have a lot to worry about.Reply
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. -
Lan soo-nah-meeI highly anticipate the release and my purchase of one of the Surface models. I have very high expectations, and if they are met, PC builders like Acer DO have a lot to worry about.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.Reply
+1 I couldn't have said it better.