Microsoft is seriously falling behind in the tablet market. Everyone knows the iPad, and even those who would have never used an Apple machine in the past are turning to Apple because of the iPad. The new Windows 8 operating system is designed to run on all devices, from your smartphone, tablet, laptop and desktop. There is no reason why an individual cannot own all.

Tablet
Photo: atmtx

When they buy an iPad, they will end up buying an iPhone, and then they will want a Macbook. The iPad has indirectly been a huge personal computer market penetration tool in a very short time. It has been an extremely successful device despite the high price tag. Microsoft needs a great tablet to compete with the iPad and, considering their resources, there is nothing stopping them. Here are some of the features and functions of what we should see with a Windows 8 tablet.

  • Start-up — Apple laptops, desktops, iPhones and iPads are notorious for starting up slowly. The iPad is particularly slow, taking over 20 seconds. This might not sound long, but when you are trying to impress a client, and they are staring at your iPad starting up, that 20 seconds feels like an hour, and you may have lost their interest and business. The sleep/resume features promised with Windows 8 should be very functional when it comes to the tablet.
  • Power Use – Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the iPhone, but the iPad seems to go on forever. Charging once every two days in not uncommon. The iPhone 4 has the ability to replace the battery, which is a lifesaver for iPhone users. The iPhone runs out of battery way too fast. The iPad doesn’t. Microsoft should think very carefully about this. Manufacturers need to make sure they deliver. A tablet is designed to be carried around, and sitting at a desk while it charges is not an option.
  • Good Looking – There is something about Apple devices. They just look better. This has had a huge impact on the sales of the iPad. A new Windows or Microsoft tablet running the Windows upgrade needs to look good. There is no way of getting around it. The operating system itself looks smooth enough, and quality housing for that operating system is needed.
  • Wifi – Chromebooks come with 100mb of wireless broadband. A laptop or computer is nothing without a connection. A tablet with Windows 8 should come with integrated 3g wifi, and a great plan to go with it. 100mb is barely enough for a couple of days. A tablet release by Windows should have at least 3 gigs of wifi connection for the month, at a reasonable price.
  • Payment Plan – Buying an Apple is expensive. The chromebook, which is more like a netbook, or a tablet with a keyboard is being sold on a monthly plan. Students are a huge market, and schools have huge buying power. A tablet with Windows 8 or a Windows 8 tablet should be available for students on a payment plan.

Microsoft is the company that first introduced us to personal computing. If they can take us to the next level with an operating system that works on all devices and a tablet is available cheaply and on a payment plan they will have truly put themselves back in the number one reputation-based position.