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Gadgets Analyst: Windows 8 Tablet Pricing Is Too High
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - October 11, 2012 9:08 AM

48 comment(s) - last by GeorgeOu.. on Oct 23 at 5:03 AM

Are Windows 8 tablets an expensive bag of fail?

We all know that Microsoft, and its partners are going to be pushing Windows 8 heavily for tablets. The Windows 8 tablets we've seen so far have some interesting features, but are also saddled with expensive prices. Bob O'Donnell, an analyst from the research firm IDC, thinks that Windows 8 tablets are simply too expensive.

O'Donnell doesn't believe the traditional PC pricing on Windows 8 tablets bodes well for the new hybrid devices. The Windows 8 tablets we've seen so far from Acer and Lenovo that are able to convert between tablet and laptop use come in at a price between $499 and $1099 depending on options.

^{Lenovo's IdeaPad Yoga 13 starts at $1,099}

"The problem is these things are priced way too high. Look at the history of tablet products priced above the iPad. Not pretty," O'Donnell told CNET.

Computer manufacturers are hoping that consumers will see the value in Windows 8 tablets that are promising better productivity thanks to keyboards and the Windows operating system that tablets such as the iPad can't offer.

The analyst believes that the Microsoft Surface tablet won't undercut the pricing of Apple’s iPad. O'Donnell says that he expects the RT version of the Surface tablet to sell for $599 and the Intel-powered version to sell for $999.

Source: CNET

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RE: bad time

By Mitch101 on 10/11/2012 3:24:30 PM , Rating: 2

Dummies Windows 8 Tablet Contest

Total Approximate Retail Value: $350.00 USD*
*ARV may be adjusted to reflect actual price of device upon release
http://etips.dummies.com/contest.asp?sid=RGQP2H7SB...

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RE: bad time

By Old_Fogie_Late_Bloomer on 10/11/2012 3:45:45 PM , Rating: 2

I'm assuming you're not actually responding to me, but I'll bite anyway. For reasons that shouldn't need spelling out, that price should not be taken as anything remotely approaching authoritative.

If it should happen that the Surface does retail at $350 with no strings attached, I'd say that they'd have probably found the absolute highest possible price they could charge if they want Windows tablets to be a success. Were Microsoft to actually price it at $599, as Bob suggests...it would be suicide.

Even if the Surface does hit at $350, though, let's face it; he's not wrong about some of the other prices we've seen. Asus is reportedly planning to release their RT tablet at $600 without a keyboard, which is bat$#!+ insane. Both the Asus Vivo RT and the Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet 2 are priced at $800 with a keyboard; the difference is that the ThinkPad is an x86 device and can actually run desktop apps.

That isn't to say that the ThinkPad isn't also overpriced. Add a capacitive, IPS touchscreen to a netbook and jack the price up $300, $400, $500? That's not a convincing value proposition.

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RE: bad time

By Mitch101 on 10/11/2012 5:39:08 PM , Rating: 3

Ive got a feeling its going to be $350.00 for a Windows RT Tablet which is a heck of a deal when you consider this is the Base model.

10.6" screen
32gig I bet the 64gb one is more
.27 inches thick
built in keyboard/touchpad
Micro Sd slot
USB 2.0 slot
MiMO antenne

I might just get two of them but Im expecting a Barnes and Noble 7" version running Windows as well for much less.

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RE: bad time

By Old_Fogie_Late_Bloomer on 10/12/2012 11:28:35 AM , Rating: 2

If it's priced at $350 with the keyboard cover that has the trackpad, I might... might... get one. Maybe.

Because, if it's priced at $350--with the keyboard cover--it might... might... be worth developing for "Metro". Maybe.

I don't think we're going to see a B&N tablet that runs Windows 8. It was an interesting idea, to be sure, but they already released their new tablet, and it's running Android.

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