Will — And Should — Microsoft Sell Its Own Tablet?

By  |  Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 5:53 pm

Digitimes — a site with an erratic record record on scoops — is claiming that Microsoft may be in the process of considering marketing its own tablet that would launch sometime next year. This would be around the same time the company would be debuting its somewhat-tablet-centric Windows 8 operating system.

The Redmond company has supposedly called on Texas Instruments and several Taiwanese manufacturers to make the device a reality. And why not? What better way to market your brand new OS and highlight its features than your own device?

Now, is it a good idea for Microsoft? That’s up for debate. To date, the Xbox 360 is the only success that the company has had at retail outside of accessories such as mice and (of course) software. The Zune music player and the Microsoft Kin phone are two of its most notable failures.

If Digitimes’ rumor is the real deal, I think Microsoft should launch this device alongside Windows 8 to give it the most pop. Here’s my suggestion to Redmond: bring this device to Windows 8 launch events. The launch of the OS is going to be a big deal — akin to the 95 and XP launches — so make sure that Microsoft staffers are demonstrating the hot new  Windows 8 features on a Microsoft tablet. In other words, build buzz not only about the OS itself, but the product you created to show it off.

I think it’s a good idea, but it needs to be done right. Can Microsoft do it?

 
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6 Comments For This Post

  1. Aaron Says:
    June 8th, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    Can Microsoft do it? If it is a good product that could compete (and soar) in the marketplace with the right marketing and promotion, then no. If it is bad, okay, or above-average, and can be dumped on people, even with bad marketing strategies, then yes, Microsoft can, and will, do it.

  2. Muay Thai Says:
    January 4th, 2012 at 5:27 am

    It's not like Microsoft hasn't done it before… (windows Vista *cough*)Muay Thai Combinations | Muay Thai Kick | Martial Arts for Children

  3. Tom Ross Says:
    June 9th, 2011 at 12:33 am

    The XBox lost $7 billion in its first 6 years before it went on to make $3 billion in profits in the next 4 years. That’s not a success, it’s still at net loss.

  4. Stilgar Says:
    June 9th, 2011 at 4:41 am

    Nobody want's a MS Tablet. Nobody wanted one ten years ago, and nobody wants one now. Just like they didn't want a Zune, Zune HD or Windows 7 phone. They don't seem to have the ability to capture the customer's eye the way they used to.

  5. John Says:
    June 9th, 2011 at 12:04 pm

    Let’s read that first sentence again, but focus on a few words:
    Erratic
    May be
    Process
    Considering
    Sometime
    Next year

    Reads like someone needs content to fill space.

  6. Video maker Says:
    February 9th, 2012 at 4:17 am

    Yes Microsoft should sell his own tablet. It will be a hit in this year if they launched in 2012 😉