Earlier in the week, we heard a rumor that Microsoft will sell the Windows RT version of their Surface tablet for around $199. This pricing has yet to be confirmed by Microsoft, but it has certainly generated a lot of buzz and speculation among tech enthusiasts and potential buyers.
Lenovo’s Perspective on Windows RT Tablet Pricing
Now, Lenovo has weighed in on the matter, providing some insights that might lend credibility to the rumored $199 price point. Lenovo has stated that they expect Windows RT tablets to retail around $300 less than their Intel-based Windows 8 counterparts. This suggests that the $199 price we heard earlier in the week for the Windows RT Surface may indeed be accurate.
“RT will play in consumer and retail at very aggressive price points,” said David Schmoock, head of Lenovo’s North America operations. “It will do well but it’s going to be more of a consumer price point play to begin with,” he said, in an interview today.
Lenovo did not provide specific pricing details for any of their future Windows tablets. However, Schmoock did mention that Windows 8 tablets would retail for between $600 and $700. This would imply that Windows RT-based devices would retail between $300 and $400, aligning with the earlier rumor.
Implications for the Tablet Market
If the $199 price point for the Windows RT Surface tablet is accurate, it could have significant implications for the tablet market. Such aggressive pricing would make the Surface RT highly competitive against other tablets, including Apple’s iPad and various Android tablets. The lower price could attract a broader range of consumers, including those who might not have considered purchasing a tablet before due to higher costs.
Moreover, this pricing strategy could also pressure other manufacturers to lower their prices to remain competitive. This could lead to a more affordable range of tablets for consumers, potentially increasing overall market penetration and adoption rates.
Additionally, the lower price point could make Windows RT tablets an attractive option for educational institutions and businesses looking to deploy tablets on a larger scale without incurring substantial costs. The combination of a familiar Windows environment and a lower price could make these tablets a viable alternative to more expensive devices.
However, it’s important to note that while the price is a significant factor, it is not the only consideration for consumers. Performance, app availability, build quality, and ecosystem integration are also crucial factors that will influence purchasing decisions. Microsoft and other manufacturers will need to ensure that their Windows RT tablets deliver a compelling user experience to succeed in the competitive tablet market.
In conclusion, while the $199 price point for the Windows RT Surface tablet remains unconfirmed, Lenovo’s comments suggest that it is within the realm of possibility. If true, this aggressive pricing could shake up the tablet market, making Windows RT tablets a more accessible and attractive option for a wide range of consumers. We will have to wait for official confirmation from Microsoft to see how this unfolds.
Source Bloomberg
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