Yesterday, Microsoft’s [MSFT] CEO Steve Ballmer, whilst speaking to students and journalists at the London School of Economics, announced that we would see Windows 7 tablets before Christmas.
He didn’t give any indication on when the devices would go on sale, or which companies they would be coming from. Could it possibly be the HP Windows 7 Slate, aimed at enterprise users, that we have seen before?
“You’ll see new slates with Windows on them. You’ll see them this Christmas,” he told an audience of students, staff, and journalists at the London School of Economics.
“Certainly we have done work around the tablet as both a productivity device and a consumption device,” Ballmer added, emphasizing the dual-purpose nature of the upcoming tablets.
Potential Manufacturers and Market Impact
While Ballmer did not specify which companies would be producing these Windows 7 tablets, speculation is rife. HP has already showcased a prototype of their Windows 7 Slate, which is primarily aimed at enterprise users. However, HP has also confirmed that they are focusing on producing webOS-based tablets for the consumer market. This leaves room for other manufacturers to step in and fill the gap in the consumer segment.
Companies like Dell, Lenovo, and ASUS could potentially be in the running to release their own Windows 7 tablets. These manufacturers have a history of producing Windows-based devices and could leverage their existing expertise to bring a competitive product to market.
Consumer vs. Enterprise Tablets
The distinction between consumer and enterprise tablets is crucial. Enterprise tablets are designed with business users in mind, offering features like enhanced security, compatibility with enterprise software, and robust hardware. On the other hand, consumer tablets focus on entertainment, ease of use, and a wide range of applications.
Given this, it is likely that the initial wave of Windows 7 tablets will be more enterprise-focused. This aligns with Microsoft’s strategy to position Windows 7 as a versatile operating system capable of handling both productivity and consumption tasks. For example, a Windows 7 tablet could be used for creating documents, managing emails, and running enterprise applications, while also serving as a platform for media consumption and casual gaming.
We doubt it will be a consumer-oriented Windows 7 tablet from HP, as they have confirmed that they are going to be producing webOS-based tablets for consumers. However, the possibility of seeing a Windows 7 tablet from other manufacturers remains high. These devices might be announced before Christmas rather than actually being available in stores.
The introduction of Windows 7 tablets could also impact the broader tablet market, which is currently dominated by Apple’s iPad and various Android-based devices. A successful Windows 7 tablet could offer a compelling alternative, especially for users who are already familiar with the Windows ecosystem.
For those interested in the ongoing battle between mobile platforms, have a look at our article on Android vs iPhone to see which smartphone and mobile platform is best for you.
via BGR
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