Windows 7 tablets are top of the Microsoft to do list, according to CEO Steve Ballmer. Talking to financial analysts, he was bullish about the imminent arrival of Windows 7 tablets like the HP Slate and dismissed the idea of using ARM processors and Windows Phone 7 for tablet PCs. While he was forced to utter the dreaded “iPad” word and admit Apple has done rather well, he put the boot into Android…
While we now know that the HP Slate that Ballmer brandished back at CES is headed for businesses rather than the eager hands of consumers, he promises Microsoft is going all out to deliver Windows 7 tablets. He says: “It is job one urgency. No one is sleeping at the switch…we’re working with our hardware partners. We’re turning Windows 7.”
Asked to comment on Apple and iPad sales figures, Ballmer admitted: “They’ve certainly sold more than I’d like them to have sold.” We imagine the figure he had in mind was zero, so that’s not a huge surprise. ??Ballmer reserved his real disdain for Android. He said if Microsoft can’t compete against Android tablets: “Shame on us”. The Dell Streak has already shown how impressive an Android tablet can be though while we’re still waiting for a new generation Windows 7 tablet to wow us.
While he didn’t put a precise time on how long we’ll have to wait for those Windows 7 tablets, Ballmer promised: “It ain’t a long time from now.” He offered up few firm details but said new designs will be revealed this year with more power-efficient models dropping in 2011 when Intel releases its Oak Trail processor.
He also suggested that Microsoft will design its own Windows 7 tablets if it needs to. That sounds intriguing but as we saw with the Microsoft Courier, the company’s coolest concepts often don’t make it off the drawing board.
What do you make of Ballmer’s bluster? Will we see a truly impressive Windows 7 slate this year? And is he right to write off Android tablets or will that come back to bite him?
Out TBC | £TBC | Microsoft (via CNET)
