3 ms·

"the new iPad starts at $500. Premium Windows 8 tablets will likely run between $800 and $900." Which is why I am more than happy to stick with a much more fun

"the new iPad starts at $500. Premium Windows 8 tablets will likely run between $800 and $900." Which is why I am more than happy to stick with a much more functional & useful laptop, that's slim and has a long battery life. With the added bonus of a built-in cover for the screen, without having to add a bulky cover for that protection.

yuhong 14y ago
But it is not as easy to use while carrying around. Which one you choose will ultimately depend on your needs. If you need both, there are convertible tablets.
- zem 14y ago
  the 11" macbook air looks like it strikes a nice balance.
  - SoftwareMaven 14y ago
    Not really, though. I love my Air (a LOT), but the ergonomics are so different from my iPad that I can't even compare the two.
- rbanffy 14y ago
  That's why I got myself an inexpensive laptop (Vostro 131, comes with Linux) and a Nook Color (promptly rooted). Good enough. And I barely went over US$ 600...
marquis 14y ago
Doctors, teachers, parents, people working outside - there are many reasons that a laptop is cumbersome for various vocations.
- ams6110 14y ago
  I have never seen ANY tablet that works well outside on a sunny day. Need an e-ink tablet for that market, though I'm not aware of any besides the Kindle which isn't really a general purpose device.
  - SlipperySlope 14y ago
    In the 1990's I led an electric utility project team that deployed hundreds of Compac brand Windows NT tablets for field work in Florida, USA. No real problem with sunlight - who would stand in the sun there anyway?
jere 14y ago
>At launch, Win 8 tablets will cost at least between $550 and $800, which is a scary price point to start at when the iPad 2 retails for $400 and the new iPad starts at $500. This part is worse to me. The way I see it, the only advantage in the PC vs Mac debate is that PCs can compete on price. What chance do Windows 8 tablets have when they are more expensive than the best (to many) tablet on the market?
- rbanffy 14y ago
  A little less than Android-based ones. They effectively compete in price with iPads, have software available and some of them can be rooted.
- commandar 14y ago
  >The way I see it, the only advantage in the PC vs Mac debate is that PCs can compete on price. Enterprise users. Of course, Microsoft is dropping the ball there with WinRT, too, but that's beside the point.
  - SlipperySlope 14y ago
    Enterprise users I know already bring their iPads to work and especially to business travel. Enterprise IT departments already accommodate them.
    - commandar 14y ago
      I have two brand new 16GB iPads sitting on my desk at work right now that are completely useless because we can't accommodate them. Our line of business applications are just plain too tied to Windows for it to even begin to be an option; and I'm talking about software packages with costs in the five to six figure range.
      - SlipperySlope 14y ago
        Yes, but I expect that you have the iPads interfaced to your corporate email and to your web based systems. Those are enough for the execs and attorneys I know. And I assume you know about virtual desktop app solutions too. You may be using those currently for remote Windows users unless you have chosen a VPN solution to extend your enterprise network directly to remote users.

yuhong 14y ago

But it is not as easy to use while carrying around. Which one you choose will ultimately depend on your needs. If you need both, there are convertible tablets.

zem 14y ago
the 11" macbook air looks like it strikes a nice balance.
- SoftwareMaven 14y ago
  Not really, though. I love my Air (a LOT), but the ergonomics are so different from my iPad that I can't even compare the two.
rbanffy 14y ago
That's why I got myself an inexpensive laptop (Vostro 131, comes with Linux) and a Nook Color (promptly rooted). Good enough. And I barely went over US$ 600...

marquis 14y ago

Doctors, teachers, parents, people working outside - there are many reasons that a laptop is cumbersome for various vocations.

ams6110 14y ago
I have never seen ANY tablet that works well outside on a sunny day. Need an e-ink tablet for that market, though I'm not aware of any besides the Kindle which isn't really a general purpose device.
- SlipperySlope 14y ago
  In the 1990's I led an electric utility project team that deployed hundreds of Compac brand Windows NT tablets for field work in Florida, USA. No real problem with sunlight - who would stand in the sun there anyway?

jere 14y ago

>At launch, Win 8 tablets will cost at least between $550 and $800, which is a scary price point to start at when the iPad 2 retails for $400 and the new iPad starts at $500. This part is worse to me. The way I see it, the only advantage in the PC vs Mac debate is that PCs can compete on price. What chance do Windows 8 tablets have when they are more expensive than the best (to many) tablet on the market?

rbanffy 14y ago
A little less than Android-based ones. They effectively compete in price with iPads, have software available and some of them can be rooted.
commandar 14y ago
>The way I see it, the only advantage in the PC vs Mac debate is that PCs can compete on price. Enterprise users. Of course, Microsoft is dropping the ball there with WinRT, too, but that's beside the point.
- SlipperySlope 14y ago
  Enterprise users I know already bring their iPads to work and especially to business travel. Enterprise IT departments already accommodate them.
  - commandar 14y ago
    I have two brand new 16GB iPads sitting on my desk at work right now that are completely useless because we can't accommodate them. Our line of business applications are just plain too tied to Windows for it to even begin to be an option; and I'm talking about software packages with costs in the five to six figure range.
    - SlipperySlope 14y ago
      Yes, but I expect that you have the iPads interfaced to your corporate email and to your web based systems. Those are enough for the execs and attorneys I know. And I assume you know about virtual desktop app solutions too. You may be using those currently for remote Windows users unless you have chosen a VPN solution to extend your enterprise network directly to remote users.