Microsoft’s Lag Time to iPad Leaves HP, Dell Looking
Elsewhere
Microsoft Corp’s failure to deliver a tablet-friendly version
of Windows is forcing big computer makers such as
Hewlett-Packard Co and Dell Inc to rely on rival software to help
them keep up with Apple Inc’s iPad.
Windows 7, the most recent version of Microsoft’s
operating system, is too unwieldy for an iPad-like device,
said David Daoud, an analyst at IDC. A lighter edition would
not be ready until the fourth quarter, giving Apple almost a
year’s head start in the burgeoning market for tablets. “The
Windows world needs to respond,” Daoud added. “They will have
to play catch-up.”
The iPad’s success caught much of the PC industry
by surprise. Within two months of the April 3 release, Apple
sold 2 million iPads ‒ more than IDC expected for the entire
tablet industry in 2010. To catch up, Dell and Hewlett-Packard
are turning to Google Inc’s Android operating system.
Taiwanese manufacturers that build most of the world’s PCs
said they were dissatisfied with Microsoft’s current
lineup.
“We don’t have any choice for now,” said Joseph Hsu,
chairman and president of Taipei-based manufacturer,
Micro-Star International Co, a maker of laptops and computer
parts. Windows 7 is too powerful and consumes too much energy
from batteries, he said.
The iPad, which can display books, videos and the internet
on a thin touch screen, will reach sales of 5.5 million units
this year and jump to 13 million next year, according to
Macquarie Group Ltd.
“Fair” Feedback
John Kalkman, a vice president in the Microsoft division
that works with computer makers, said the feedback from PC
manufacturers is “fair.” Later this year, Microsoft will
release Windows Embedded Compact 7, which will require less
processing power and reduces the drain on batteries.
Demand for the Windows tablets currently sold by Hewlett-Packard
and Dell has been lacklustre, according to IDC. Before the
iPad made its debut this year, the researcher had
been forecasting that sales of tablets would decline to less
than 1 per cent of the overall PC market in the US.
Intel Corp, whose chips run about 80 per cent of the
world’s PCs, has not helped Microsoft’s cause. The chipmaker’s
most energy-efficient tablet-ready processors do not run
Windows 7 ‒ and would not until early next year.
Source: Bloomberg