Is Surface Really Worth Microsoft's Effort?
Rekha is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.
Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) Surface Tablet, dubbed “iPad killer,” is set to be launched in October this year coinciding with the unveiling of Windows 8. It comes with a cover just like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPad 2’s smart covers. The cover doubles as a keyboard. The sleek body, long life battery, facilities of printing, charging mobile, 10.6” screen with Clear Type HD Display Technology and adjustable ultra-wide view angle is sure to lure the buyers. The Surface Tablet will be available at a very competitive price of around $599.
But, the question is, is the Surface really an “iPad killer?”
Microsoft is in direct competition with Acer’s Iconia and Hewlett-Packard's (NYSE: HPQ) Touchpad and does not seem to pose any threat to Apple’s iPad. The launch of the Surface is in response to Apple’s hugely successful iPad. To coincide the launch, it plans to release the Windows 8 operating system. Clear as it is, Windows' operating strategy gears towards hawking software updates every other year. This thus cements its position as an arch rival for anything tech.
Apple still leads Microsoft primarily because, rather than innovating, Microsoft showers moolah at anything they feel is a “must buy” -- and BINGO we have a marketing blitz. This proves something. Microsoft ain’t no “iPad killer.”
Over the past years, Apple has created a series of hits such as iPod, iTunes, iPhone, iMac and iPad to name some. Whereas Microsoft has done very little to change the game as it floods the market with inconsequential Zune, X-Box and Bing offerings. This leaves no doubt as to WHO IS THE BOSS!
The features offered by Microsoft on their Surface are not appealing to many and it is being calleda mere “gimmick” by some. The tiny icons, they say, may pose a problem to the users, and the “touchscreen notebook” as it is described will meet the same fate others had.
Acer, the Taiwanese computer maker is also not happy. Financial Times reported that they have asked Microsoft to reconsider their venture into the tablet market. Acer’s CEO, JT Wang wants Microsoft to think twice about the launch of the Surface. He remarked that the launch would have a negative impact on the “worldwide ecosystem” and the other brands may have a negative reaction. Acer’s President for computer global operations, Campbell Kan, remarked, “If Microsoft is going to do hardware business, what should we do? Should we rely on Microsoft, or should we find other alternative?”
Despite everything, Microsoft is not a total go-go. It is only the first in the family of Windows 8 series; Surface version 2.0 is ready for the next launch. More innovations are in the cards. Dozens of job ads have been published on Microsoft Career. The company is looking to hire experts. This is definitely not a temporary boost to the company--more awaits. It has been successful in instilling a feeling of concern for its hardware partners.
rekhamarwah has no positions in the stocks mentioned above. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple and Microsoft. Motley Fool newsletter services recommend Apple. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.If you have questions about this post or the Fool’s blog network, click here for information.
