Say what you will, but I think the crazies are running the show at Microsoft while Bill Gates is off trying to rid the world of Malaria, Cholera, Diptheria and other deadly diseases.
This morning, Microsoft announced pricing for the Surface Pro tablet.
When I heard that pricing starts at $899 (64GB version), I fell off the chair in shock.
Disaster Foretold
Is it hubris?
Is it stupidity?
Or, is it what I think it is, utter Insanity?
Who in their right minds would pay $900 for a Windows tablet with very few applications even if the device is positioned as a “laptop in a tablet package.”
No, for $899 you do not get the Touch Covers or the Type Cover. They cost an additional $119 and $129 respectively.
Microsoft’s pricing of Surface Pro is the chronicle of a massive disaster foretold.
In my view, you’re better off getting a Windows 8 laptop for $450 at Best Buy or TigerDirect and an iPad from Apple for $499.
Surface Pro Ships in February
Running the Windows 8 operating system, , the 10.6-inch Surface Pro is powered by an Intel Core i5 processor and 4GB of RAM. It can run Windows 8 applications, as well as current Windows 7 desktop applications.
Surface Pro will be available for purchase on Feb. 9, 2013, in the U.S. at Microsoft retail stores, microsoftstore.com, Staples and Best Buy in the U.S., as well as from several locations in Canada.
Microsoft is offering Surface Pro in 64GB and 128GB models.
A Surface pen with Palm Block technology comes with the Surface Pro tablet.
So far Microsoft has not disclosed sales numbers for the Surface RT tablet it launched a few months back. I’d be surprised if it isn’t a mega-disaster.
Except for Apple’s iPad, none of the other vendors (Asus, Acer, Blackberry, Motorola etc) have made a dent in the tablet market.
Insanity – $899 for Surface Pro Tablet added by SearchIndia.com on
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They killed a good product with their ridiculous pricing strategy.
No one is going to spend $900 on a neither tablet nor laptop piece of metal.
Microsoft just doesn’t get it.
Apple’s stuff is getting jaded, and their stock price trajectory is an accurate reflection of that trend. They (AAPL) sorely need some innovation.
By contrast, the MSFT folks seem to be living in a world of their own. Even the mighty Apple has taken such a beating recently despite the ipad-mini’s brisk sales, MSFT doesn’t stand a chance in the tablet space. Windows 8 hasn’t taken off much like MSFT would have liked either.
Everyone gets to bask in the sunlight – when it is their turn. Me thinks MSFT and AAPL’s turn is over.
Looks like the next gen innovations are going to be coming from Samsung and Huawei in this space.
Despite owning the latest gen iPad, I splurged on a Google Nexus 7 16gb recently. Fantastic device, had a hard time getting the 16GB version, was sold out in most places. Excellent form factor, snappy processor(s), great battery life, boatload of apps in the Android marketplace, it has been a week since I had to turn on the iPad, don’t miss it except for Airplay. At $199 it is a steal, well almost.
For those of you thinking about the iPad mini, take a look at the Google Nexus 7. You might save yourself some $$ and get what you want.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Me thinks MSFT and AAPL’s turn is over.
I wouldn’t be in a hurry to write the epitaph of companies like AAPL with $137 billion in the bank and MSFT with $68 billion in the bank.
Tis’ true the Apple product range looks stale and the innovation pipeline is frighteningly depleted. The iPhone 4S, iPhone 5 and the current gen iPad have all been modest upgrades.
The one thing that could potentially lift Apple out of their current sinkhole is the rumored Apple TV (as in television set, not the APPLE TV set-top) or a consumer electronics acquisition (don’t ask me which one).
Apple’s stock has taken a serious battering over the last few weeks and Exxon has regained the crown of the most valuable company.
2. Personally, I think a 7-inch tablet is not the right form-factor from a screen-size perspective unless the device is used mostly as an e-book reader!
But $199 for a 16GB Galaxy 7 tablet is a good deal!
3. My iPhone is long overdue for an upgrade. Torn between iPhone 4S and iPhone 5.
I’m inclined toward the older iPhone 4S because there are no issues with its camera. iPhone 5 camera has purple flaring issues.
Or maybe I’ll wait for the Samsung Galaxy 4 rumored to launch in the Feb-April time frame http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-galaxy-s-iv-tipped-for-feb-2013-13mp-camera-and-a15-quad-core-chip-20257816/
Samsung Galaxy 4 specs – http://www.ciol.com/ciol/news/173513/can-samsung-galaxy-s-compete-iphone