Microsoft lags in opening Window for tablets
Microsoft Corp.’s failure to deliver a tablet-friendly version of Windows is forcing big computer makers like Hewlett-Packard Co. and Dell Inc. to rely on rival software to help them keep up with Apple Inc.’s iPad.
Windows 7, the most recent version of Microsoft’s operating system, is too unwieldy for an iPad-like device, said David Daoud, an analyst at IDC. A lighter edition won’t be ready until the fourth quarter, giving Apple almost a year’s head start in the burgeoning market for tablets.
“The Windows world needs to respond,” said Daoud, whose firm is based in Framingham, Massachusetts . “They will have to play catch-up .”
The iPad’s success caught much of the PC industry by surprise. Within two months of the April 3 release, Apple sold 2 million iPads — more than IDC expected for the entire tablet industry in 2010. To catch up, Dell and Hewlett-Packard are turning to Google Inc.’s Android operating system. Taiwanese manufacturers that build most of the world’s PCs said they’re dissatisfied with Microsoft’s current lineup. “We don’t have any choice for now,” said Joseph Hsu, chairman and president of Taipeibased manufacturer Micro-Star International Co., a maker of laptops and computer parts. Windows 7 is too powerful and consumes too much energy from batteries, he said.
The iPad, which can display books, videos and the Internet on a thin touch screen, will reach sales of 5.5 million units this year and jump to 13 million next year, according to Macquarie Group Ltd.
‘FEEDBACK IS FAIR’
John Kalkman, a vice president in the Microsoft division that works with computer makers, said the feedback from PC manufacturers is “fair.” Later this year, Microsoft will release Windows Embedded Compact 7, which will require less processing power and reduces the drain on batteries.
Microsoft, based in Redmond, Washington, has tried for more than a decade to build a market for tablet-sized personal computers. Chairman Bill Gates predicted in November 2001 that the tablet would become the most popular form of PC within five years.
Demand for the Windows tablets currently sold by Hewlett- Packard and Dell has been lackluster, according to IDC. Before the iPad made its debut this year, the researcher had been forecasting that sales of tablets would decline to less than 1 percent of the overall PC market in the U.S. IDC had predicted total shipments of just 523,000 tablets.
PASSED BY APPLE
Microsoft, passed by Apple as the largest technology company by market capitalisation this year, rose $1.09 to $26.58 yesterday on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Palo Alto, California- based Hewlett-Packard climbed $1.10 to $47.98 in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. Round Rock, Texasbased Dell increased 91 cents to $14.
Intel Corp., whose chips run about 80% of the world’s PCs, hasn’t helped Microsoft’s cause. The chipmaker’s most energy-efficient tablet-ready processors don’t run Windows 7 — and won’t until early next year.
Hewlett-Packard spokeswoman Marlene Somsak declined to comment on sales of tablets based on Microsoft software. Dell spokesman Jake Whitman said Microsoft Windows, used in the company’s Latitude tablets, “helps provide a flexible and intuitive tablet-PC computing experience.”
0 comments:
Post a Comment