Non-Windows 7 Microsoft Slates Make Sense to Me

ZDNet's Microsoft reporter, Mary Jo Foley, laments that the Windows slates Microsoft demonstrated at Computex in Taiwan were based on Windows Embedded Compact instead of Windows 7. She also notes that slates that do run Windows 7 will be business focused. What Microsoft isn't saying about its iPad compete strategy Here's why I don't share Mary Jo's disappointment: - Windows 7 takes a long time to boot even when using a Solid State Drive (SSD). Yes, there are ways to add or use better hardware (faster SSDs, caches, etc.) to reduce or even nullify this boot time problem. But, doing so would either add cost (more hardware) or reduce battery life (extensive use of sleep mode). Microsoft and its hardware partners need to keep the cost for a consumer tablet as close to $350 (or lower) as possible in order to get attention and compete with the $499 (low-end) WiFi-only iPad. If Apple pulls a September surprise and lowers the price of the iPad to, say, $399 or even $350, Microsoft will have a huge problem with slate prices. Higher prices for vertical business purchases may be acceptable. However, higher prices for consumer tablets is a no-no. - While Windows 7 is a lot more resource efficient than Windows Vista, it still requires a lot of resources (system RAM, cache, storage) to run than a true mobile platform (Android, iOS 4, Windows CE) to provide a comfortable system. Windows 7 runs very very slowly on the Asus Eee PC T91MT with 1GB RAM, 32GB SSD, and an Atom Z530 processor. This is not acceptable for a slate that needs to be both inexpensive and responsive. - Windows 7 is not fingertip touch friendly on a relatively small screen. I've been using it on my Asus Eee PC T91MT which is a convertible netbook with an 8.9-inch multitouch resistive screen. Even a stylus is problematic for performing tasks like bringing up the onscreen keyboard. Again, Microsoft could design a new graphical UI for Windows 7 to use on slates. But, what about other software? Will Firefox, PhotoShop, and tens of thousands of other apps be retooled for fingertip touch on a Windows 7 tablet?

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Non-Windows 7 Microsoft Slates Make Sense to Me

Todd Ogasawara

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Todd Ogasawara