Microsoft and its manufacturing partners may find themselves needing to respond if Apple rolls out its much-rumored tablet computer later in 2009 or sometime in 2010. Although Microsoft has historically refused to comment on speculation or rumor, it has integrated touch-screen capabilities into Windows 7 that could conceivably allow the operating system to run on a tablet PC created by Dell or another manufacturer.Online rumors have been swirling anew that Apple plans on releasing a tablet computer either later in 2009 or sometime in
2010, which could pressure Microsoft into working with its manufacturing partners to release a device of its
own.
According to Gizmodo, which reportedly received the information from a high-level source, the
Apple tablet will feature a 10-inch screen, cost between $700 and $900, and have
the capability to act as a secondary screen for an iMac or MacBook. This report follows an Aug. 7 research note by Piper Jaffray
analyst Gene Munster that made the same general points.
Further online speculation has revolved about whether Apples
much-rumored Sept. 15 keynote will include mention or even a showing of the
tablet. If Apple executes a massive push behind the device, of course, the
question then becomes what Microsoft and manufacturers such as Dell will do in
response.
In the wake of initial rumors that Apple intended to release a tablet
computer, Wired reported on August 3 that Dell and Intel were collaborating on a
touch-screen tablet due for release sometime in 2010. That article made no
mention of what operating system would be utilized for the rumored tablet, but
given that Dell and Intel are both substantial Microsoft customers, it would be
easy to surmise that the device would run some version of Windows 7.
Indeed, Windows 7 will feature touch capabilities that could conceivably
allow for its use in a tablet PC. In a Jul. 30 posting on The Windows Blog, Mark Rogers of Microsofts
Software Ecosystem Team wrote that "Windows Touch and multi-touch features
provide a natural, intuitive way for users to interact with PCs. Companies such
as Roxio, Corel and Cegid are all enabling Windows Touch in their
applications."
However, when contacted by eWeek, a Microsoft spokesperson declined to
comment on the possibility to Windows 7 being ported onto a tablet PC.
A tablet PC installed with a Windows OS could dovetail with Microsofts
larger plan to saturate the PC market with ultra-portable devices that provide
higher margins than the mini-notebooks, known popularly as "netbooks," that have
dominated PC sales throughout 2009.
During Microsofts Financial Analyst Meeting on July 30,
CEO Steve Ballmer said that his company would
work with PC manufacturers to roll out devices, starting near the end of 2009,
which would provide netbook portability at price-point of a few hundred dollars
more.
"When a customer says, 'We want a netbook with a bigger
screen,' well say, 'Heres an ultrathin,'" Ballmer said. "We want people to be
able to get the advantages of lightweight performance and to spend more money
with us."
Whether or not tablet PCs eventually play a role in that strategy, the
overall touch-screen market is one that could definite appeal for Microsoft and
its manufacturing partners: a May 2009 report by research firm DisplaySearch predicted that market as tripling from $3.6
billion to $9 billion over the next six years.