Will tablet running full blown OS replace a desktop or laptop?
Microsoft is going to release a version of Surface tablet with high end processor running a full version of Windows 8. The specification lists an Intel i5 ivy bridge processor with 4 GB memory. HP is planning to release Elite Pad running Windows 8 with Intel atom processor & 2 GB memory. Similarly, Acer has Iconia W700 with Ivy bridge processor and ASUS has VivoTab with atom processor. All these tablets have a good sized memory to run pretty much all the common applications including Ms-Office. Are people going to spend a lot of money on a tablet which might not be a complete replacement for a computer?
Apple’s iPad
runs on iOS which is a subset of Mac OS X operating system. Microsoft’s Surface
tablet runs on a Windows RT which is a subset of Windows operating system. Google’s
Android is built as a mobile operating system rather than a desktop operating
system. All these operating systems runs apps or applications built specifically
for them.
Microsoft
and many hardware manufacturers are planning to merge a tablet, netbook and laptop
into a single device - a tablet running Windows 8 rather than the subset
Windows RT. In order to run a full blown operating system, the tablet needs to
have better hardware specification than a mobile device. This naturally increases the price & weight of the device. Some of these tablets
are priced equivalent to or above a decent desktop/laptop with much better hardware
specifications.
I
consider the tablets & smart-phone as a mobile environment for on the go
use and not a full time work device. It is definitely easier to reply to an email on
a tablet rather than a smart phone. The tablets are great for personal use like
general browsing, checking emails, reading books, games, videos etc. It is easier to use a tablet rather than booting a desktop or laptop. On a
professional level, it is good for mobile business people using Word or Excel, doctors running medical applications or musicians to create music. It even replaces all the instruction manuals in a workplace. All the above examples require the
tablet to be light weight and easily transportable with space to hold all the data. Weight
is definitely a factor because it is tough to hold the tablet for a prolonged
period (without resting on something) even to read a book.
Even though the concept of running a Windows 8 on a tablet - that opens door to running every possible application - sounds appealing, will we really be doing it? How many of these applications will run without issues on a small screen optimized for touch rather than a click? Due to the small screen size & a virtual keyboard, will it be easy to use all the applications without connecting it to a bigger screen? How much space does this OS going to occupy in the small tablet hard drive? Windows built as a desktop operating system has grown in size in recent years. It easily occupies 10 to 20 GB or more of disk space. This will take away half the space in the tablet and increase the boot-up time. These factors and more will prevent me from using the full potential of Windows 8.
From a consumer perspective, tablet will be a alternate gadget to a desktop or a laptop with specific usage in the current age. I would prefer such a gadget to be light in weight with more disk space and an operating system that is fast to boot. All these qualities have to be satisfied before I spend money to add additional accessories to convert it to a desktop or laptop replacement.
Unless, Intel
or AMD build a better low powered, less heat dissipating mobile processor that
has a processing power equivalent to a desktop processor and the hardware thin
enough to package a DVD drive & ports inside a tablet, it is tough to sell a tablet
running Windows 8 as a replacement to a desktop or laptop. Until then, it will only
be used by some niche businesses and hobbyists. Consumers will be seeing this as a expensive fun gadget.
Now as a developer I should mention - building applications for Windows is much easier and will have less learning curve than building applications for Windows RT!
Now as a developer I should mention - building applications for Windows is much easier and will have less learning curve than building applications for Windows RT!
Labels: AMD, Android, Apple, Asus, desktop, ElitePad, gadget, Google, HP, Iconia, Intel, iOS, laptop, Netbook, Surface, Tablet, VivoPad, Windows 8
posted by Shanmuganathan Sivaraj at
7:54 PM
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1 Comments
