$300 Windows 8 tablets aiming to bring the iPad market share to less than 50% in 2013

posted by Daniel P.

Apr 18, 2012, 5:36 AM

$300 Windows 8 tablets aiming to bring the iPad market share to less than 50% in 2013

Besides the battery life boost, one of the reasons Microsoft created Windows RT for running on ARM-based tablets was that the silicon is much cheaper than Intel's offerings.

Now insiders claim that in the low range tablets with Windows 8 in its RT version for ARM processors will cost $300 or even less, with Intel also aiming for a price range with its processors at $300-$1000, depending on the configuration. Microsoft has enlisted HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, Asus and Toshiba as manufacturers, with Lenovo and Acer particularly keen to build the $300 Windows slates for the vast markets in Asia.

Something tells us Western consumers won't really mind having those affordable slates available to them too, and all in all about 32 Wndows tablets are rumored to land before year-end.

According to Microsoft's own tables issued the other day, Windows RT will have Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint coming standard in their versions for ARM processors on all such tablets. A $300 unit with Windows and Office preinstalled is likely to persuade a lot of users, so Microsoft and Intel have allegedly set an internal goal, sources claim, to bring the iPad market share below 50% next year. With Windows (Phone) 8 and Google leveraging the Motorola acquisition, 2013 is shaping to be the real challenge for Apple's mobile disruption phenomenon.

source: Digitimes

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35 Comments

35. maeneak

Posts: 1; Member since: May 14, 2012

Windows 8 is awesome! Keep in mind RT will not be able to run standard (legacy) windows apps. Only apps built for both architectures. I think I'll be getting the intel version first up until more apps are available

posted on May 14, 2012, 3:06 AM 0

33. 7thspaceman

Posts: 1597; Member since: Feb 14, 2011

A word of warning to all Windows 8 Tablet buyers is please UNDERSTAND that at this time ONLY the Windows 8 tablets will INTEL CPU"S and Chipsets will run 90 % of Windows 7 Programs and PC games and other Windows Legacy Programs. the New Blue stacks app will allow intel Windows 8 Tablets to Run thousands of Android Apps I am sure there will be a version made for ARMS CPU windows 8 Tablets in the future The ARMS CPU and chipset Windows 8 Tablets will work well.but they need ARM specific Apps. Folks you can Gamble your behind some Programmer or group of ARM computer Programmers will create an APP or APPS that will someday allow the ARMs CPU tablets to also run 90 % of Windows 7 programs and Games and ect

posted on Apr 19, 2012, 11:27 AM 0

27. lubba

Posts: 1313; Member since: Jan 17, 2011

Thank goodness for the price! Thought I was gonna have to sell one of my kidneys for a W8 tab. ANyoNE KNOw how printing will work? Basically just wanna if W8 will replace laptops?

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 5:37 PM 0

26. jcpwn2004

Posts: 314; Member since: Jan 18, 2012

Looking forward to it. I can't believe how many people are buying these gimped tablets with half baked android & iOS. Don't get me wrong, I love my gs2 and ipod touch, but tablets are a dumb fad. Until the pricing gets reasonable, and the functions match current laptops, no way I'd dish out more than 2-300 for these things. With w8 on tablets, I could see myself spending 3-500$ on them as long as the hardware is worthy of the price (dual/quad core cpus, good discrete graphics, 2-4gb of ram, at least 64gb storage, and high res displays.).

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 5:26 PM 0

23. hamids9898 unregistered

I hate apples tablet but I'd rather have that than a bloody windows job. How frigging ugly is that home page.

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 2:23 PM 0

30. Cwebb

Posts: 501; Member since: Oct 05, 2011

Now on your left you will see the lonely troll. As you can see, its the only one left because it ate all the other trolls for disagreeing with it

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 7:56 PM 0

21. 7thspaceman

Posts: 1597; Member since: Feb 14, 2011

word of warning To people who want to buy Windows 8 Tablet Computers is that Only the Intel Cpu and Chipset Windows 8 Tablets will play 90 % or more of Windows 7 and previous Windows business and games and ect programs . you can bet your behind some programmer or group of programmers will write an APP or Apps that will also Enable ARMS CPU chipset Tablets to play 90 % of Windows 7 programs , Games and ect. The most Awesome Windows 8 Tablet Gamers want to see is a Sony made and branded 10.1 inch Intel chipset tablet running Window 8 with the ability to play Sony selected Play station 3 games on it with a special Sony app. Wow what a powerful product a gamer could play Sony games and Microsoft games on it on something portable wow. if Sony was bold enough to work with microsoft to allow this wow Folks I predict gamers and Kids would form lines outside stores to buy this windows 8 Sony tablet the question is does Sony have the couraGE to do IT

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 1:33 PM 0

22. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

its not that simple. i wish it were, but its not. making an app both ARM and x86 compatible is a big programming job unlikely to be done by home hackers. That would have to be done by each individual company. I hope it happens more often than not, but to be sure, just get the x86 version.

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 2:13 PM 1

20. wizzardtech

Posts: 59; Member since: Mar 12, 2012

tablet that is compatible with evrything, has word,excel, powerpoint and work like a PC laptop. this will rock!! not be looking for any tablet after this. bye! bye! ipad's

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 12:41 PM 1

19. Tarzan

Posts: 63; Member since: Feb 26, 2012

Apollo, Xbox 720, windows 8 desktop and now affordable tablets, why wouldn't you buy one.

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 10:30 AM 4

24. downphoenix

Posts: 3165; Member since: Jun 19, 2010

definitely not buying a 720 if they get rid of used games.

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 3:42 PM 1

28. lubba

Posts: 1313; Member since: Jan 17, 2011

don't have choice. Sony probably going same route. I think after a game is out a year or so, you can download from Xbox for dirt cheap and brand spankin new. In hate HD dvd or blueray with a passion! Download and saved memory is better and games load faster. No more lost or scrathed DVDs! I've through lots of Xbox DVD games all scratched and gone. I've downloaded RE4 and 5 $20 each and can redowload anytime! Digital memory is the way to go.

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 6:01 PM 0

14. SemperFiV12

Posts: 949; Member since: Nov 09, 2010

Finally materializing... The Windows ecosystem coming to a complete stage. This should only reinforce Windows Phone sales, Xbox sales and even PC sales.

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 9:55 AM 3

13. BattleBrat

Posts: 1476; Member since: Oct 26, 2011

This isn't going to be some watered down windows tablet is it? I want a tablet running FULL WINDOWS 8 like you'd see on a laptop! I'm shortly going to buy a windows 7 tablet, and I won't be looking for anything less after.

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 9:09 AM 2

15. SemperFiV12

Posts: 949; Member since: Nov 09, 2010

Well they are going to be running a preinstalled, lighter version of Windows 8... Windows RT. I am almost certain that it will not be the EXACT same, in a sense of features... But it will not be a separate OS, independent of Windows 8.

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 9:59 AM 0

18. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

remember, there are 2 versions of tablets coming. The "lower end" ARM tablets that run RT, and the "high end" Intel tablets that are x86 based and can run full windows.

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 10:06 AM 3

32. bobfreking55

Posts: 866; Member since: Jul 15, 2011

i would like to ask your opinion regarding an ARM Exynos Windows 8 tablet from Sammy. lol

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 11:18 PM 0

29. Cwebb

Posts: 501; Member since: Oct 05, 2011

If you want EVERYTHING that you can get in a laptop, you'd need a x86/Intel based chip. It sacrifices some battery life but makes up for it in performance

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 7:53 PM 0

11. pongkie

Posts: 663; Member since: Aug 20, 2011

nokia Y U not in the list for RTs

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 8:25 AM 1

10. mercorp

Posts: 1045; Member since: Jan 28, 2012

Give me a dock to turn it into a monster laptop,and Everyone will buy it.Just like the vaio Z.

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 8:15 AM 3

17. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

u just need a solid keyboard attachment like what Asus did with the transformer. That would be awesome.

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 10:05 AM 3

8. B3BLW29

Posts: 238; Member since: Mar 02, 2012

I would get one provided cost is around $300.

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 7:51 AM 2

7. Cyan3boN

Posts: 446; Member since: Feb 23, 2012

ya all the functions of our beloved OS right on our hands to be played with.

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 7:42 AM 1

6. bobfreking55

Posts: 866; Member since: Jul 15, 2011

people who don't own tablets don't want an iPad and has no faith in Android tablets. When Microsoft releases Windows 8 RT, it will be everywhere with different specs, and hopefully, Nokia will be it's main manufacturer. People would be like "You have a Nokia tablet? That's new. Wait, what is it running? Windows?! I need to get one of those!" and as the main competitor of OS X and Macs, people will flock to this as well. then Android Tablets will be considered the today's Ubuntu or Linux or whatever in that year. I'm actually excited for Windows 8, and I'm willing to trade my Asus Prime for one of those.

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 6:53 AM 9

31. joey_sfb

Posts: 6794; Member since: Mar 29, 2012

A bit early to celebrate Nokia Windows 8 well deserved victory right?

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 8:49 PM 0

5. tigermcm

Posts: 861; Member since: Sep 02, 2009

thanks for putting out price estimates because I'm starting to save now. Sheesh I been waiting to buy a new desktop and laptop now Ill get into tablets oh and phones too.......um how are black friday prices looking???

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 6:43 AM 3

4. Joshing4fun

Posts: 1258; Member since: Aug 13, 2010

32 Windows tablets by the end of the year! Not sure whether that's good or not. Good i guess; more choices. But i can see their predictions coming true about Apple. I can't even tell the difference between the 3 iPads unless they were all next to each other. People don't like buying the same product over and over again; not even the Apple lovers.