Pure Windows 8.1 tablet (without desktop)

[tiziano27]

Facebook and Flipboard are coming, 100.000 apps in the store. Windows 8.1 has a modern UI file manager and full configuration (no need for control panel).
It's time for Microsoft to build a Surface 7 RT, without Desktop, and sell it for $200. Removing the desktop and legacy libraries required for desktop apps they could reduce the storage needed for the OS to a couple of GBs. This tablet wouldn't eat into the laptop market, so the can price it aggressively to expand the adoption of the platform.

Specs:
-Snapdragon 800
-1gb ram
-16gb storage
-resolution 1280x800

OEMs could go for $150 or less with 8gb of storage and a cheaper cpu.

The problem is the complexity of the offer. Three variants of the OS:
Windows 8
Windows RT
Windows RT-without desktop and office-

Maybe Microsoft will wait until the modern UI variant of Office is ready and then remove the Desktop completely from Windows RT 8.2 or Windows RT 9. But this means another year without an offer in the low end.

 

[Laura Knotek]

I think it would be feasible to sell RT devices at lower prices. Another variant wouldn't be needed.

 

[tiziano27]

I think it would be feasible to sell RT devices at lower prices. Another variant wouldn't be needed.

You can't reach $150-$200 with 2gbs of ram and 32gb of storage.

 

[stephen_az]

....and again, much like Xbox, Microsoft is never going to go with Google and Amazon prices and lose money on each unit sold to capture market share. It is bad business and an unsustainable strategy in the end. That type of price is not profitable and will not happen. You are seeing the low price with the Acer W3 @ $349 - actually probably $299 eventually. The components just aren't that cheap and when you factor in R&D, production, shipping, and marketing, that sort of price is simply a loss/write off from day one. Google (sort of) makes up the difference by selling your information, although I expect down the road, it will be demonstrated that the division actually loses money. Amazon assumes they will make up the difference on amazon.com sales, etc.,, but for all of their Wall Street love is still unprofitable as an actual retailer.

What you are suggesting regarding the OS is also not nearly as simple as you think. It would also create four different OS tracks to maintain and develop: Windows Phone, Windows RT (for Office and driver compatibility), Windows, and a stripped Windows. This is just not something that is in the cards....

 

[DBDev]

I definitely don't think they should remove Office. For many people, including me, that's one of the biggest reason to buy a Windows tablet instead of a iPad or a Android.

 

[tiziano27]

The only reason for the Desktop in Windows RT 8.1 is Office. When Office for modern UI is ready the Desktop will be removed anyways. I just a matter of time.

Most people don't need a full version of Office, a simpler tool is enough. Although, they are penalized with a high price because the OS is so bloated with the desktop. They are paying for more memory, more storage, more CPU, needed for applications they don't use. This make the product uncompetitive for most part of the world population.

You can buy tablets for $70, you certainly can earn money with a $200 tablet, Samsung is earning money with sub $200 tablets, But more important than short term earnings is the expansion of the platform. If Android becomes the de facto standard, as Windows was in the last decade, Microsoft will have many problems in the future to sell their products, just look at Windows Phone.

Microsoft could build a premium tablet without desktop to keep the aura, but they have to give OEMs the ability to reach the low end, which is the bigger chunk of the market and what set the standard. Microsoft needs branded and white box cheap tablets.

The time is now for a pure Windows 8 tablet. Android is still weak in this segment, but if they wait one more year it could be late.

 

[jhguth]

1 GB RAM and a slow processor would be horrible, not worth even $200