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Whether you remember this or not, this statement happened earlier today in my previous article entitled “No software ‘surprises’ in Windows tablet, claims analyst”, where we took a gander at the grand “guesstimology” employed by the oracles at Ovum, who did not seem to be giving the new Windows 8 Surface tablet much of an ovation.
Well, it seems another analyst is up to the same stunning stuff, with some out there but certainly thought provoking statements designed to elucidate the complex topic of Microsoft’s future relationships with OEMs.
The analyst and firm in question on this go of the merry-go-round is Analysys Mason’s Principal Analyst and mobile expert, Ronan de Renesse, who has shared some “initial comments” with the technology press on today’s most exciting topic – the aforementioned Windows 8 Surface tablet.
Of course, we know these tablets come in two varieties – one with an ARM processor much like the smartphones and tablets so common today, and set to run Windows “8” RT, and another with what is presumed to be an Intel x86/x64 processor, able to run not only the Windows RT apps, but also all those existing Windows 7 apps so many in business take for granted, and so many iPad users wish, at times, they could run – even though the iPad has 650,000 apps at its disposal.
So, with finesse, what did M’sieu de Renesse have to say about Microsoft’s now previewed but as-yet unreleased hardware/software combo latest and greatest?
His statements – and that thought provoking question – are as follows: “Microsoft Surface is the best Windows-based mobile product attempt so far and will sell as long as it delivers its promises and is priced correctly.
“Microsoft’s move in creating its own tablet is the sign that PC manufacturers have lost the game.
“With less than 10% combined market share, Microsoft can afford to lose the support of PC manufacturers in this sector.
“Microsoft Surface is primarily a showcase for Windows 8 and Windows RT.
“Microsoft cannot sustain an aggressive device strategy while licensing Windows on tablets.
“The big question is, if Surface become as successful as the iPad, will Microsoft choose to stop licensing Windows on tablets?”, asks Mr de Renesse, as his comments concluded.
Yes indeed, what will the OEMs do then, and what are they already doing in response?
One tablet that was launched at Computex was the Asus Taichi, the one with two screens – one non-touch screen within the clamshell laptop, and a touch-screen on the lid of the laptop, turning it into a tablet.
With a tablet such as this one, missing the second internal touch screen while forcing touch to only be used on the outside, it appears to me that Asus has missed a chance to be doubly touching – presumably because of cost.
Then there are other tablet makers, none of whom seem to have been able to come up with a keyboard case/cover anywhere near as innovative as that which Microsoft demonstrated in LA, today.
Thus… it seems Mr de Renesse has some valid points, with Microsoft seemingly needing to show its OEM partners the way.
Personally, I don’t think OEMs are anywhere near ready to cede any kind of tablet battle with Microsoft, let alone Apple, and a next-generation of innovation is finally going to be unleashed, let alone what Apple has in store for the iPad 4, and whatever Microsoft’s R&D boffins are already cooking up for the Surface 2.
So, thanks go to today’s analyst, Ronan de Renesse, as the great game of “make a date with Windows 8” finally gets closer to its true pilot episode, after so many preview releases and failed tablet hardware designs over the years, we’ve almost lost count.
It’s almost too late for Windows 8 to make a very important Apple-beating date, but the clock hasn’t stopped yet, and there’s still time for a last quarter reversal of epic proportions.
We w8 with b8ted breath to see what f8 is yet to befall Microsoft’s Surface tablets – and those of OEMs – running Windows 8. Great!
