14 DAY TRIAL // Just as the iPhone is the device to beat for Windows Phone 7 smartphones, Windows 8 Tablet PCs or slates will be built as the nemesis for Apple iPad. I just don’t see Windows 7 Tablet PCs on the market today making a dent in iPad’s domination. Sure, I love the idea of devices such as Windows 7 ASUS EP121 Slate, but I do from the perspective that the product is a full PC disguised as a slate more than anything else.
In this context, I don’t really see Windows slates taking off until Windows 8 is released. And while the battle isn’t necessarily lost, Microsoft will once again appear to be late to the confrontation, even though it was doing Tablet PCs years ahead of the iPad being released.
Market analysis firm Forrester estimates that slate sales will explode to no less than 44 million in 2015 from just over 10 million today, and it’s clear that the Redmond company and its OEM partners will have a fair share of the market.
This especially considering that Windows 8 is a late 2012, early 2013 deliverable, and that the successor of Windows 7 will be the first Windows client indeed tailored to slates.
But Forrester made public additional Technographics data shows which the software giant should take into account when building that “Windows 8 SKU” for Tablet PCs, a rival for iOS, and not a full Windows client.
11% of 18- to 24-year-olds (US online consumers) would buy a tablet computer because they want something that’s more stylish than a simple PC.
13% cited as incentive the ability to access content that is not available on other form factors, with 10% saying they want a computer that’s more fun than traditional PCs.
27% would use a slate in addition to a laptop, with 12% declaring themselves ready to renounce their notebook altogether for a Tablet PC.
“Compared with online adults, 18- to 24-year-olds are more likely to want a lighter device that’s more convenient for viewing/reading while relaxing. One in four thinks laptops are just too heavy to carry around all the time,” revealed Forrester’s Reineke Reitsma.
“Young online consumers are 1.75 times more likely than general online consumers to want to access unique content, and one in 10 admits that he or she wants a computer that’s more fun. Apple has done a great job of promoting the “awe factor” that comes along with practical each use of the tablet.
“Almost one in two 18- to 24-year-olds use the Internet to play games alone, listen to audio/radio, and watch full-length TV shows. Other tablet manufacturers that want to appeal to young consumers must either build or support a platform around entertainment apps, as this will be key for winning them over.”
I would say that there are several things setting Windows Table PCs apart from plain vanilla Windows PCs, starting with the User Interface.
What’s the point of having fully functional and complex Natural User Interface (NUI) capabilities if I still have to use my finger and “click” on Start, or right click on My Computer?
That’s no fun at all. And Windows slates won’t be fun for me until such a time when I see at least an adaptation of the Metro UI for Tablet PCs, if not something even more innovative NUI-wise.
Battery life is another aspect that’s crucial for the success of Windows Tablet PCs. Microsoft and its OEM partners shouldn’t even bother doing a slate that doesn’t allow users to watch at least 10 full hours of HD movies.
And together with battery life, start up and shut down times need to be extremely fast. Windows slates should go to sleep and wake up instantaneously, let’s say anything less than half a second would work.
The focus with Windows 8 should be, at least in part, in producing an edition of the OS that’s adapted to next generation form factors.
Consumers don’t necessarily want a full laptop for a Tablet PC (I’m an exception), they want something simple, stylish, fun, with an innovative NUI, designed for content consumption.
What about you? Do you think I’m right? What would a Windows 8 slate need to have in order to make you choose one over an iPad?