Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer spoke about tablets at a company financial conference. CNET reports that Ballmer recognized the success of the iPad and said Microsoft based tablets will be shipping when they are ready. Ballmer did provide some details into the company's tablet plan. The tablets will not run the Windows Phone OS, but Windows 7. These computers will also be Intel based opposed to using ARM processors. Ballmer also stated that Microsoft will not allow hardware to be a limiting factor in its plans and will design hardware where it needs to. Lightly joking, Ballmer said that the tablets will be able to print because "some people actually like to print every now and then."
I'm not sure if Microsoft understands what consumers want in this category. They basically invented the form factor but have been trying to jam a desktop operating system into it for over a decade.
Seeing how Microsoft runs Xbox live; pushing for monthly subscriptions, downloadable content, and with Apple being so controlling, and restrictive I don't think I want either. Gamer's are already getting hit hard in the wallets, and they already know people are willing to pay big bucks for new technology, books, and coffee at book shops, much like gamers will for their games, hardware, and ad dons / expansions. We have seen how all this has worked out with smartphones as well. I'm going to wait for a more free option comes out, probably a Google tablet pc. I have seen the Archos tablets running Android, but I'm not sure I want to go with that either. Right now, I think the thing to do is wait. Even if you want to join the bandwagon and grab an ipad, wait till the next revision comes out with glitches fixed and new features.
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