Quote:
Originally Posted by HansTWN
Actually the Surface RT is a great machine and the Surface Pro even more so --- however, MS just doesn't understand consumer marketing. They built the infinitely better mouse trap -- but they have no idea how to get people to buy it.
|
You look at "marketing" as Microsoft's flaw. There is some truth to that. But I believe that your premise that they "built the infinitely better mouse trap" is the greater flaw.
The Windows-mindset is primarily one of commoditization... where price is the overwhelming priority. Apple has been accused of catering to a boutique mindset. Those making the claims look no further than the raw specifications of the components included and place no value on things like device weight, device dimensions, and aluminum unibody.
Given that consumer expectation, Microsoft cannot release a product with no track record that in the consumer's mind has a boutique pricetag. Dumb.
Microsoft's failure with "Origami", Kin, perceived failure with Courier, poor press for Windows 8, significant loss of marketshare in the mobile space, and lack of longterm commitment to the Zune ecosystem, have a cumulative effect with consumers. Perhaps not directly with each individual consumer, but with those tech savvy consumers who are influencers.
Building a reputation takes time. Overcoming a poor reputation takes even more time. The tablet space is so competitive that Microsoft needed to hit a home run out of the gate. I don't know who the rocket scientist was at Microsoft that thought it was a good idea to take an overly ambitious gamble to merge the look and feel (but without software compatibility) between Windows Phone, Surface RT, Surface Pro, and Windows 8, but they should be thankful to still be employed.
Microsoft's corporate culture has calcified into a Fortune 500 mindset reminiscent of IBM in the late 70's. Until there is a cultural shakeup within, things will continue.