Introducing Windows 8 Ultratablets

[Michael Knutson]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.tgdaily.com/opinion/58446-the-advent-of-windows-8-ultratablets' target='_blank'>http://www.tgdaily.com/opinion/5844...-8-ultratablets</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"This week we have warring conferences as Microsoft and Intel scheduled their developer events on top of each other. This means there are a massive number of us trying to be in two places at once, mostly unsuccessfully."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/lpt/auto/1316241887.usr17748.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Intel and Microsoft are trying to hasten the evolution of the transportable computer by melding an ultralight laptop and a touchscreen tablet. Windows 8 aims to kick-start things on x86-based Ultratablets by running both the new Metro UI (touchy-feely) for tablet-style apps, and a traditional desktop for legacy Windows apps. ARM computers (tablets) will be limited to Metro UI style apps (no legacy Windows) at least until legacy apps are ported. In the Apple world, this is analagous to Mac OS X gaining the ability to run iOS apps, along with OS X, while iOS devices can run only iOS (not legacy OS X) apps.</p><p>Assuming that the big brains can get this all right, we'll see Ultratablets with a great touch interface (but also a keyboard), long battery life, under $1000, with the power to run any (type of) apps. So no more laptops that are great content creators but lousy content providers/consumers, or tablets that are lousy content creators but great content consumers. One device that meets all these needs, the Ultratablet - isn't this what we're all hoping for?</p>

[Sven Johannsen]

Absolutely. For grins and giggles I set my HP Slate (9" tablet, Win7) up with a 21" secondary monitor (HDMI out of the little cradle) and a BT keyboard and mouse (both MS, BTW). Made a nice little desktop setup, where I was able to work Office on the big screen at 1920x1280 just fine, though a little slow. That is to be expected given the Netbook specs of the Slate.

That setup is not radically different than what I have at work, with a laptop, in a dock, with big monitor, keyboard and mouse. The difference is the extra (when docked) laptop keyboard, and the power of the PC. That latter part seems to be fixable given the capability of that Samsung Slate given out at Build (drool). In either case I can dismount the business end of the setup and walk out with it. The Slate is way more portable.

Would love to be able to pull my HPSlate out of the above setup and have a Metro interface to navigate with. As it is, Windows 7 on a 9" touch screen is usable (yes it is Jason), but neither enjoyable (I admit it), nor compelling. Reality is I can surf, check e-mail, play games, and listen to media just fine. I don't write thesis, or create spreadsheets standing in line at the DMV.

My biggest concern is the recurring belief that these new devices should come in at Android Tablet/iPad prices. If in fact Apple managed an OSX device that ran iOS as well, would you expct to pay $499-$799 ipad prices for it or $1199-$2499 Macbook Pro prices. The capabilty is really comparable to the latter. I would expect the Windows 8 Tablet to be closer to the $1000 and up range, considering what it does, rather than the $500 netbook range. I'm fine with that. Here is hoping the tech community and the Win Tablet naysayers get it.