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Tablets Abuzz – Microsoft’s Surface Tablet’s Challenges

  

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The entire tech world is abuzz this week with news of the upcoming release of the Microsoft Surface tablet. In a bold move, Microsoft has shifted into the hardware world and will release the two tablets (the regular version, with a Pro version following about 90 days later) when Windows 8 is released at some point this Fall.

The tablet certainly looks fantastic, with wildly colorful magnetically attachable keyboards, a 10.6 inch HD display and a camera (Pro version only), among other features.

But even though this product will truly challenge the tablet market share held almost exclusively by Apple, there are some issues to look out for. CRN tech reviewer Edward Correia has outlined five challenges he sees with the Surface:

• The only third-party software available will be those available in the Microsoft app store, which means that the only browser available might be IE;
• The tablets will not able to join a Windows domain;
• Although not released yet, cost could be as high as $1000, which is more than the most expensive iPads;
• The tablets will be sold at Microsoft-branded stores, bypassing the normal OEM distribution channels, and Microsoft has a less-than-remarkable track record with this method;
• App developers might have to build new apps from scratch to comply with the Surface OS.

Read more about the potential pitfalls of the new Surface tablet here:

http://www.crn.com/slide-shows/applications-os/240002271/5-challenges-for-microsofts-surface-tablet.htm?pgno=1