Yes, this is another tablet related post. That is fair warning. Microsoft's forthcoming tablet the Microsoft Surface RT is allegedly coming between October 26-29th. Little is currently known about the tablet (except the release date). So here are a few of my jumbled thoughts.concerns on the matter...
1) Pricing:
Steve "Wildman" Ballmer (not an actual nickname) recently suggested a price range of between $300-800 for the Surface Tablet. It is unknown if he was referring to the Surface RT (the ARM version), the Windows 8 Pro Tablets or both.
i am focusing on the RT model... The Kindle Fire HD and Google Nexus are both available (although only two retail stores so far seem to stock the Fire HD) at $200-250. These are not really an accurate comparison point. The Kindle Fire HD 32 GB model is more apt at $250 (except for the screen size). The Asus/Google Nexus is not a great comparison in terms of size and memory (though it may use a similar chip.)
A better price point comparison is the Kindle Fire HD 8.9" size (which will be released after the Surface RT). The 8.9" Fire HD version starts at $299.99, the comparable 32 GB version will retail for $369. If you want to use Apple, the valid comparison would be the 32 GB version which retails for $599.99.
So, what do i suggest that the Surface RT Tablet retails for? $349.99. Realistically, i think this will be priced between $399.99 and $499.99. Some time realism sucks. i seriously doubt the Surface RT will undersell the 32 GB Kindle Fire HD 8.9" on price.
2) The Windows Store:
i am not concerned with the number of apps at launch or the difference between the services. The only thing i am concerned with here is how to pay for the apps. i expect many apps to be priced about $.25 higher than the Android or Apple versions.
Years of Xbox point cards have dissuaded me from using credit card purchases (and the sites that sell apps with credit cards are primo hacking targets for the ne're-do-wells). i am curious how i will be able to purchase apps without a credit card. Ideally, it would be a widely available pre-paid card.
3) Retail Distribution:
One of the big questions i have with the Surface RT Tablet is where to purchase it (hopefully with cash - assuming the price falls under $400). Originally, MSFT hinted that it would only be available on-line or through MSFT stores. If you don't know, there aren't a lot of stores. There might be a pop-up store in this area (but i'm not sure where). If you don't know, a pop-up store is what a company like Spirit Halloween does - a short-term lease (2-4 months or so) in a vacant building.
Ballmer hinted that there may be 3 million or so devices shipped. Once again it is unclear exactly what he was talking about (whether it was the Surface RT or both versions of the surface - i would be kind of surprised if the Windows 8 Pro Surface tablet launched this calendar year). If there are, in fact, about 3 million devices shipped, they will need more retail distribution channels for sell-through. Come on some brick-and-mortar store (Office Depot?) carry the Surface RT tablet.
4) Other Stuff i Can't Think of Now.
Update:
$499.99 (US) - too bad, that is $100 out of my price range. The Surface RT was probably too much tablet for me anyway. Now i guess i will wait and see what (if anything) Google and Amazon do when the "iPad Mini" is announced (rumored to be 10/23 or so - release rumored November 2).
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