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There have been so many negative press, tweets and prejudice in the last past month about Microsoft Windows 8:
- Windows 8 is an OS designed and build for desktops and now used for tablets – this won’t work out. Therefore it is not usable on both form factors.
- Metro design sucks; especially developers need to do something for it to make applications work.
- Windows 8 is not ready, too buggy, and too early for the market.
- Windows store is coming too late, only a copy of Apple’s Store with less software in it.
- Windows 8 is not made for enterprise use; especially Windows RT is for consumer devices.
- Tablets are the new reality in a mobile world and Microsoft is struggling with Windows 8; it is not the right answer,
- Microsoft Windows 8 is the next Vista – skip it for the enterprise.
Then last week I had an interesting conversation with one of our developers where he was evaluating to use a Motorola Xoom to replace his current laptop. Then I had this moment of inspiration where everything I have read in the last view month shined in another light.
What if Microsoft is absolutely right with its follower strategy? Right for what? For the mass market. And why?
As #BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is continue to gain attraction Apple devices are the most popular end devices – another reason to rename #BYOD into #BYOApple. But concerns about who can effort such Apple or high priced devices should become more room to discuss in the community. Not every employee is in the comfortable situation to buy an own device without watching the budget or don’t buy via credit. This really is a huge concern while technical limitations of Apple devices in a Windows enterprise world still exist.
(Image Source: http://mashable.com/2012/08/29/samsung-windows-8-hybrids/#84665Samsung-Series-7-and-Series-5-Hybrid-PCs-for-Windows-8)
Tablets AND Notebboks in combination might be the exact “game changer” with Windows 8 and its hybrid approach. Users will get a fancy new device which is doable in terms of pricing in combination with two form factors: a tablet AND a PC for an affordable pricing. As those end-users are looking for a solution to replace their PCs, I really believe in this paradigm, although it is something “good enough” compared to other and more expensive solutions. From an economic perspective the follower strategy of Microsoft definitly makes sense, will see in the future if it really works out.
Mass markets always come with a price. Maybe at least it might make sense.
Comments? What do you think? Let me know your thoughts.
Patrick Sauerwein | @virtual_patrick 