Thread: Samsung Exec confirms Mini iPad?
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Old 03-23-2012, 02:22 PM   #33
frahse
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fjtorres View Post
Well, Win8x86 Tablets *will* have a desktop mode parallel to the Metro GUI/HTML5 mode so there is no loss of functionality there: Win8 *will* run all Win7 apps the exact same way Win7 does. No need to fret there.

Win8Arm tablets will be a step *up* in functionality and capability from WinCE which is already a far more robust and flexible OS than Android or iOS on the techie stuff. (It is used in mission-critical embedded systems, after all.) What it will not be (for obvious reasons) is backwards-compatible with Win7 Apps so until the Windows ecosystem finishes its migration to the new programming model, the Win8Arm app catalog will be leaner than Win8x86.

That much is a known certainty.
What is not known is how the hardware guys (HP, DELL, ASUS, ACER, Lenovo, to name just the top 5) are going to spec-out and price their entry-level/consumer-focused offerings. The business grade tablets we already know what they will look like (Ultrabook processors and screens, slightly higher prices--probably in the $899-999 range for starters). The Wacom pen-capable models will likely list north of $1299 with lower street prices.

The consumer pads? And especially the ARM-pads?
No clue yet. Probably they'll list with the iPads or a bit higher with street prices a bit (say $20) less.

One thing to look forward with the Win8 consumer tablets (both x86 and ARM-based) is that they *will* be LINUX hackable. Not sure it'll make any commercial difference but with core LINUX adopting some Android elements we may see some genuinely robust LinDroid implementations for the techie crowd. And Apple is already (quietly) acknowledging that they need to bring more of OS X to iOS and *soon*.

So, my guess is that, longer-term (ca 2015) we'll see growing functionality in the consumer tablet space bringing it closer to what Windows TabletPC's have had for the last 10 years. Those of us that are used to full-computer functionality in our tablets are not going to go wanting.
I would like a Win8 tablet with total compatibility with my Win 7 notebook computer and my XP desktop. I would also want the ability to hook a keyboard and mouse to it if just with the USB2/3 connector. I don't require an integrated system.

Even now, I use a mouse with my notebook, and sometimes hook in a "typist" keyboard if I am going to do a stint of typing (over say 2 or 3 hours.)
That would be a great help in writing.
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