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Microsoft exec: iPad mini a '$329 recreational tablet'

Written by James Delahunty @ 28 Oct 2012 7:13 User comments (5)

Microsoft exec: iPad mini a '$329 recreational tablet' Sinofsky touts value of Windows 8 PCs, devices.
Steven Sinofsky headed up the development of the Windows 8 operating system, which officially launched this week, along with Microsoft's Surface with Windows RT tablet. It wasn't alone in breaking onto the scene however, as Apple launched its anticipated iPad mini earlier in the week, too.

Speaking with AllThingsD, Sinofsky explained that Microsoft and its partners work to bring down the cost of devices, so that a student, for example, can buy a Windows computer that will last them through their college life. He pointed to one Windows 8 machine in particular, and said, "It's $279, here we are, talking about seven inch recreational tablets for $329."



Of course, while there are cheap PCs, laptops and such that run Windows 8 available, Microsoft's Surface tablet sells for $499, and if you want the optional cover/touch keyboard, it costs $599. When Microsoft launches the Surface Pro tablet next year, running the full Windows 8 operating system, it is expected to start at around $799.

Sinofsky may have been entitled to have a shot at Apple's latest tablet - which has received criticism for its price point elsewhere too - as Apple CEO Tim Cook didn't have a problem describing Microsoft's latest offering as compromised and confusing.

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5 user comments

128.10.2012 22:00
Paul.
Unverified new user

He (Sinofsky) is rite, it (iPad mini) is to most people, a recreational tablet - and unfortunatly for microsoft, thats probably what most consumers want!

I have bumped into so many aveage Joe types, who have a computer, but know almost nothing about it, they just use what came with it and not much more. A friend may have loaded the odd program for them, but otherwise they have not done so on their own.
The Windows control panel is a complete mystery to them, and when the machine finally goes into a 'permanent' blue screen, it will be put out on the next council hard rubish collection day.

For them, a tablet (iPad) is perfect, A Windows tablet will probably just bring back bad memories of cryptic error messages.

Paul.

229.10.2012 01:09

Sinofsky is right.

I'm tired of having to carry both a laptop and a tablet on business trips. I stopped by the Microsoft Store Friday to check out the Surface, and it strikes a nice balance between a work device and a play device. I'm planning to get RT versions for my wife and kids and a Pro version for myself when they come out.

FWIW, the Microsoft Store near me was totally packed Friday afternoon. It was a very well done release. They had a separate line for people to buy a surface, and mid-afternoon, the line was still super long. (Apparently the line had been long since the store opened at 7 a.m.)

Microsoft will never convert the die-hard fanboys. But there are a lot of people out there who want a device that is better than the iPad for doing work, and the Surface is a nice product for that. There were also many other nice Windows 8 tablets released Friday. I think the landscape is definitely about to change.

329.10.2012 06:21

Originally posted by SoTired:
Sinofsky is right.

I'm tired of having to carry both a laptop and a tablet on business trips. I stopped by the Microsoft Store Friday to check out the Surface, and it strikes a nice balance between a work device and a play device. I'm planning to get RT versions for my wife and kids and a Pro version for myself when they come out.

FWIW, the Microsoft Store near me was totally packed Friday afternoon. It was a very well done release. They had a separate line for people to buy a surface, and mid-afternoon, the line was still super long. (Apparently the line had been long since the store opened at 7 a.m.)

Microsoft will never convert the die-hard fanboys. But there are a lot of people out there who want a device that is better than the iPad for doing work, and the Surface is a nice product for that. There were also many other nice Windows 8 tablets released Friday. I think the landscape is definitely about to change.
Ah, so much business to take care of, yet still time for updates about the line at the microsoft store for the surface tablet. You truly are a special individual.
I'm going to purchase 8 myself, four of them for family, the other four, for needy kids in my neighborhood.

429.10.2012 11:39

I'm still not looking forward to having to work on the over abundant number of crashes & complaints of "turn this off" & "why does this have to be here", "why can't I do this", from people when they load 8 onto their old laptop.

I've already run into it once & it's just a blurry eyed envision of things to come. Or was that when I reached for the vodka bottle instead of the mouse?

Either way, it's brain space I'm not happy to waste in order to get by until 9 slides in to save the day.

531.10.2012 17:18

Are any tablet really anything other than "recreational" for the most part anyway?? No.

Surfing, email, games.......some RDP.

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