The Surface tablet represents a new era for Microsoft, both for Windows on portable devices, but also for the company entering into competition with its hardware partners. One of the more critical parties has been Acer, which has held back on introducing a product to compete directly with the Surface.
At a news conference in China this morning, Acer’s president for Greater China, Linxian Ling, reiterated that he opposed Microsoft entering into competition with PC makers, Engadget reports. He also warned Microsoft about the perils of the hardware market, saying “hard rice” isn’t as easy to eat as the software profits Microsoft has enjoyed.
Back in August, an Acer executive said publicly that Microsoft’s launch of the Surface would be bad for Microsoft manufacturers.
“On one hand Microsoft is our partner, but on the other, Microsoft’s move makes them compete not only with us but all PC makers,” Henry Wang, a rep for Acer told Bloomberg at the time. “We think that Microsoft’s launch of its own-brand products is negative for the whole PC industry.”
The Surface runs Windows RT, the version of Windows 8 made to run on ARM-powered devices, which tend to have robust battery life at the price of not being able to run older apps. Acer says it’s going to delay any Windows RT products until spring 2013 or even later, but many other Microsoft partners — such as Lenovo, Samsung and Acer — are bringing to market Windows RT now or very soon.
“Our view of Surface is that there’s more than enough room for many players in this space,” Lenovo President of North America David Schmoock told Mashable at the launch of its Windows RT device, the Yoga 11. “Microsoft is going to do their thing. I’m more than happy to compete with them in the marketplace. We believe we have great differentiated products.”
Acer still has a large portfolio of Windows 8 product, including the much-lauded Aspire S7 laptop. The S7 is quite thin for an laptop — just 0.47 of an inch — but it’s also equipped with a touch screen. Microsoft has used it as a prime example of Windows 8 hardware design at many recent events, so its relationship with Acer can’t be too strained.
What do you think of Acer’s thoughts about Microsoft’s chances in the hardware space? Does the Surface have a shot? Let us know in the comments.
Image courtesy of Microsoft
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The Acer Aspire S7 comes in two sizes. Sporting a full HD (1,920 x 1,080) display, the 13.3-inch version is just 2.86 pounds and 0.47 of an inch thick. It starts at $1,400.
The design of the Aspire S7 is thinner and lighter than the MacBook Air. The screen supports 10-finger touch.
The 13-inch design has two USB 3.0 ports and card slot on the right side.
The 13-inch S7 has an odd modification to the CapsLock key.
The lid can be either white Gorilla Glass 2 or aluminum.
The 11-inch design also has a 1,920 x 1,080 screen.
Both designs fold out to a full 180 degrees.
The Acer Aspire S7 comes in two sizes. Sporting a full HD (1,920 x 1,080) display, the 13.3-inch version is just 2.86 pounds and 0.47 of an inch thick. It starts at $1,400.
The design of the Aspire S7 is thinner and lighter than the MacBook Air. The screen supports 10-finger touch.
The 13-inch design has two USB 3.0 ports and card slot on the right side.
The 13-inch S7 has an odd modification to the CapsLock key.
The lid can be either white Gorilla Glass 2 or aluminum.
The 11-inch design also has a 1,920 x 1,080 screen.
Both designs fold out to a full 180 degrees.
Source : feeds[dot]mashable[dot]com
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