The Push Is On for Windows 7 Tablet PCs
Technology Trends
The scramble is now on to release a Windows-based tablet computer that will rival the Apple iPad, a device that has taken the tech world by storm since those first shipments in spring 2010. Recently, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced that several such devices, running the company's newest operating system, Windows 7, would be available prior to Santa's celebrated arrival on December 25th.
Thus far, Windows 7 has been an enormous hit on regular PCs, including laptops/notebooks and desktops, but the big question looms: how will a much smaller Microsoft tablet PC, using considerably less processing power and RAM, perform the task of running such a demanding operating system?
There's no doubt in anyone's mind that the time is now for Microsoft to get in the tablet game, and get in soon. Although he's largely credited with helping to make Windows 7 an enormous success and help bring a good feeling back to the Microsoft name, Ballmer recently received some scathing criticism from the company's board of directors for failing to release a Windows-based machine to compete with rival Apple's iPad.
You have to understand, this failure is not just about numbers -- Apple earning money in a market where Microsoft is not -- but instead has a lot to do with reputation. When one company is clearly far, far ahead in innovation, every product offered by its major competitor suffers some kind of psychological depreciation in the minds of consumers. It's been hard to miss the iPad, and just as hard to miss Microsoft's absence in the market, and that leaves many of us wondering: what exactly are they thinking in Redmond, Washington?
Not so long ago, we got our first peek at a one of the earliest Windows 7 tablet PCs, and reviews are mixed. Although the CTL 2goPAD offers considerable processing power with an Intel Atom N450 chip at 1.66 GHz combined with 2 GB of RAM and a 250 GB hard drive, it suffers from a bulky frame (2.6 pounds, heavier than some netbooks) and, worst of all, underwhelming battery life. The 2goPAD, which is available now, will last just over three hours while a user is engaged in constant Internet browsing. It's not a great number for a device that should and will make sales based on its portability.
There is hope for Microsoft, however. For one, many people are now familiar with Windows 7 or at least XP and Vista, making any tablet personal computer that uses one of those operating systems familiar and thus, easy to use. If only hardware producers can find a way to bring this great system to a tablet and maintain a reasonable battery life, Apple may actually be in trouble.
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