The REAL tablet wars are about to start

[AustinChief]

Up until now the choices have actually been rather spartan when you compare the tablet market to the PC space. That is about to change in the next two months... and prices are going to reflect the change. (Though I doubt right away, it will take some time to shake it all out)


New tablets coming soon:

Windows 8 tablets: these are the most interesting due to the fact that they can double as a laptop and run x86 based programs. In theory these should dominate the market over time but in reality pricing will determine their adoption rate. Color me skeptical for now.

Windows RT: meh... basically windows version of an Android or iOS tablet, I see very limited potential here but who knows.

iPad Mini: Also will depend on pricing. If it isn't at least CLOSE to the $200 price point, I can't see any compelling reason to purchase one other than the typical Apple fan "have to have the cool new thing" factor. Of course, we know jack shite about their specs so I could be way off here... but it's always good to have more choices.

As for all the other Android tablets... I see a number of major price drops heading our way.. take a look at the new Kindle Fire HD 8.9 at $299 and the Nook HD+ at $269.. that's unreal. We are about to have quality tablets getting close to the $250 mark.

EDITED TO ADD RUMORS:

Google is supposedly releasing a $99 tablet and a 10.1" Nexus with REALLY high end specs (made by Samsung) both are rumored to start manufacturing in December.

Any thoughts?

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by HC_Chief

apple is without Jobs...again. Last time that happened...

just sayin'.

No doubt, and they appear to be making even more missteps since his death.

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by NewChief

I'm not convinced that, from a detached evolutionary perspective, Apple won't end up in the tablet/phone market in the same place it's ended up in the PC market. I just don't see it happening in the NEAR (next couple of years) future, which is where I part with Apple haters and Droid enthusiasts.

that's exactly what I have been saying..

And just to be clear... Apple is already there NOW with phones. Their natural market share is in the 10-17% range. That is where they are with Macs and iPhones and iPads are quickly approaching that. (depends on how you count tablets.. if you ignore white label or not.. even if you leave off the shadow market, Apple has now slipped below 50% from 70% a year ago .. no way they aren't below 30% next year)

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by HC_Chief

I read your "middle management" rants and agree, middle managers (typically) suck, but they are NOT the people making the decisions: executives are. Why is it the executives are foregoing Apple products for Windows? (Rhetorical question; we all know why: broader hardware base, much better price point, lower TCO, greater ROI, MUCH broader application support.

I agree that execs are making the decisions.

I disagree with almost all of your reasons why.

The number 1 reason to choose Windows? I already have so much of an install base I CAN'T change even if I wanted to. Organizations, especially in this economy, don't want risk and change is risk.

The hardware base is broader and the hardware costs initially are lower. However, your assertions on TCO and ROI are debatable AT BEST.

The simple fact is that further Microsoft purchases leverage the existing install base and no exec ever got fired giving business to Microsoft.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by DaveNull

Let me tell you what that sounds like to someone who pushes technology for a living but doesn't live in IT Managment. "This works with our current setup. If I give this to people, I don't have to change anything about what my job looks like. Every one of my software reps will buy me so many more shots next year because I'll be buying more of their crap. I don't have to learn anything new, and if anything I'll be able to increase the help desk staff and therefore continue to protect my kingdom. All this while looking totally cutting edge by telling people we're giving them tablets, even though they asked for iPads. The Surface really is the best of both worlds."

Is that probably off base? Sure it is. But that's the perception you're creating when you get so excited about something that fundamentally is no different than the crap you've been pushing for years that people started to rebel against.

I work for a large consultant and my customer is top 5 financial institution.

I can say 100% without any doubt that your comment is NOT off base.

The above is absolutely spot-on.

[HC_Chief]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

However, your assertions on TCO and ROI are debatable AT BEST.

Check Alinean. The numbers tell the story.

Too often people mix their personal preferences into these discussions. Perception is NOT reality; it is perception. An objective, broad view of the landscape indicates that ROI is higher, and TCO is lower. The factors that you indicate as the reason are variables in the calcs, to be certain, but they are not the sole variable.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by HC_Chief

Check Alinean. The numbers tell the story.

Too often people mix their personal preferences into these discussions. Perception is NOT reality; it is perception. An objective, broad view of the landscape indicates that ROI is higher, and TCO is lower. The factors that you indicate as the reason are variables in the calcs, to be certain, but they are not the sole variable.

Licensing alone often prevents Microsoft from having the best ROI or TCO.

To make a blanket statement that Microsoft's solution has the best ROI and/or TCO is dubious at best and at worst, outright false. You can't talk in such broad generalities.

There's also the fact that Microsoft has purposefully made 3rd-party solutions more expensive in the foundation (see Citrix).

[KILLER_CLOWN]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

I thin it just depends on an individuals preference and situation. For me it was the laptop. My kids now use my old laptops for games, etc.......I still like to use my desktop PC for any work or productivity work i do at home. I have a seperate den/office with a nice desk in my house so i like using the room. My iPad i use all around the house for any fun stuff like surfing and Netflix. I dont really play PC games anymore. Only console.

Shame...

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by KILLER_CLOWN

Shame...

So many of the really good games come out on all platforms. The only game I've played on PC recently that I couldn't get on console was Rome Total War.

And you have to admit, tuning a PC can sometimes be a real bitch.

[KILLER_CLOWN]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

So many of the really good games come out on all platforms. The only game I've played on PC recently that I couldn't get on console was Rome Total War.

And you have to admit, tuning a PC can sometimes be a real bitch.

Skyrim is so much better on PC, plus all those mods....

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by KILLER_CLOWN

Skyrim is so much better on PC, plus all those mods....

There's no way it could be "so much" much better on any platform. It's a 99/100 already on PS3. Slightly better graphics aren't a selling point at all.

And I will be lucky to finish the base game in less than a year. Mods have zero appeal.

[KILLER_CLOWN]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

There's no way it could be "so much" much better on any platform. It's a 99/100 already on PS3. Slightly better graphics aren't a selling point at all.

And I will be lucky to finish the base game in less than a year. Mods have zero appeal.

Zero? really? I guess different strokes for different folks but more choices is always better for me. I hate being pidgeonholed into playing a certain way and that is why i hate consoles.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by KILLER_CLOWN

Zero? really? I guess different strokes for different folks but more choices is always better for me. I hate being pidgeonholed into playing a certain way and that is why i hate consoles.

So do you even play the original game no mods? Or do you read up and dive right in to what you think the best mods are?

The only mods I've ever played religiously were for total conversions for Total War and Starfleet Command and then only because they changed the time periods (and thus the unit sets) for the game.

I can't imagine playing any mod for Skyrim that would be that much better than the original.

[KILLER_CLOWN]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

So do you even play the original game no mods? Or do you read up and dive right in to what you think the best mods are?

The only mods I've ever played religiously were for total conversions for Total War and Starfleet Command and then only because they changed the time periods (and thus the unit sets) for the game.

I can't imagine playing any mod for Skyrim that would be that much better than the original.

I usually play the game in it's original state first. There are quite a few Mods that add to the gaming experience.

This list is updated quite a bit and there are many different variants all over the net but some of the mods ARE better than vanilla. I will add that I LOVE the flying airship, it's breathtaking. Quite a few mods end up as full games, like Killing floor.

http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/10/28/th...skyrim-mods-2/

Here is a link to the premier modding site(other than the steam workshop)

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by KILLER_CLOWN

I usually play the game in it's original state first. There are quite a few Mods that add to the gaming experience.

This list is updated quite a bit and there are many different variants all over the net but some of the mods ARE better than vanilla. I will add that I LOVE the flying airship, it's breathtaking. Quite a few mods end up as full games, like Killing floor.

http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/10/28/th...skyrim-mods-2/

Here is a link to the premier modding site(other than the steam workshop)

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/

Yeah, that's just something I don't have time for. I don't have the gaming time or the wherewithal. I like sitting down, turning on a controller, and spending a couple hours playing a game.

I just don't have the cycles for PC gaming anymore.

[KILLER_CLOWN]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Yeah, that's just something I don't have time for. I don't have the gaming time or the wherewithal. I like sitting down, turning on a controller, and spending a couple hours playing a game.

I just don't have the cycles for PC gaming anymore.

I understand but you could literally play for 4 or 5 years in just Skyrim with all the awesome mods. The game is simply breathtaking and just fun to walk around in without even doing quests.