A harsh title, I know. And I’m one that promotes the finer benefits of having a strong, positive attitude and outlook on life. But when it comes to Microsoft and it’s foray into the tablet space with Surface, there are nothing but red flags flying up all over the place. What exactly is driving Microsoft into the tablet market? Apple’s ridiculous success with the iPad of course, and seemingly unlimited growth potential for the tablet market as a whole.
Which is admirable by Microsoft, I admit.
But here’s just a few reasons why I believe that Microsoft would be better off focusing on their software instead of making yet another failed attempt into the hardware space.
#1: They Are Pissing Off Their PC Manufacturers
What strikes me initially with this whole business about Microsoft’s desire to launch the Surface tablet is they are completely side stepping their traditional PC manufacturers likes Acer. Microsoft makes the software, and PC manufacturers like Acer build the computer. But when it comes to the Surface tablet, Microsoft is shunning their relationships with their tried-and-true manufacturers. And this hasn’t gone unnoticed from the Acer execs either. They’ve been very public with their statements advising Microsoft to stop this Surface tablet madness.
#2: Pricing
The price for the Microsoft Surface tablet has yet to be announced, but there are already rumors floating around that the tablet is going to be way over priced. When it comes to price, the battle field is full of victims who have tried to compete with the iPad by coming out with equivalently (is that a word?) priced tablets. The only tablet to date that’s been able to compete with the iPad (if we want to call it competing, that is) is the Kindle Fire. And the ironically, Amazon decided against trying to compete with the iPad on price and instead offer benefits, apps, software, etc… a lesson that Microsoft needs to take a serious look at.
#3: Is There Really A Tablet Market?
I know it sounds a bit unconventional, especially since I run a blog where I attempt to cover the tablet market. But one thing I’ve learned, and continue to learn daily, is that when it comes to the tablet market there is really only one major player and that is the iPad. All other tablets (with Kindle Fire being maybe the only exception) have been nothing but blips on the radar. They’ve surfaced (no pun intended), made some headlines, but then disappeared. And I’m afraid that the new Surface tablet from Microsoft is looking to heading down the same path. Sad thing is, the Surface hasn’t even been released yet and it’s already getting hammered by both the press and Microsoft partners – definitely not a good way to start the product launch.
What do you think about Microsoft’s ambitions with the Surface tablet?
