Win8 Device Pricings...

[McCrazieGoalz]

The 26th of October is fast approaching.

Right now we know pretty much which devices will be coming but what Microsoft and its OEM partners have been mum about is pricing.

In a recent interview Ballmer indicated that pricing of the Surface will be between US$300 and US$700 and calls this the "sweet spot". However, there is more than enough reason to speculate that this will not be the absolute limit of prices for all Win8 tablets.

WP8 pricing is another issue.

Here I will try and detail and update all rumors I come across as far as both tablet and phone prices are concerned.

Below is the first solid evidence of information on pricing that I have seen for Microsoft's new OS's devices.

I would also like to know which devices you would like to get, at what price and why (i.e. why that device and why that price). I would also appreciate your comments on the speculated pricing given in the articles posted here.

 

[McCrazieGoalz]

Here are ZDNet's comments on this pricing:

In a nutshell:

Asus isn't a business brand yet it is pricing its Windows tablet as if there were some enterprise secret sauce. Asus roadmap only highlighted upcoming products not the big sales pitch to differentiate these tablets.
Also included in Asus' roadmap are details about 12 and 13-inch laptops. What's truly odd is that one laptop is $549 and the next-gen Transformer is $1,399. The Transformer Book is billed as "one device for two personalities between tablet and notebook."
Consumers will balk at these tablet prices and a) either opt for a laptop or b) go with a cheaper tablet such as Apple's iPad or any variety of Android.

The roadmap here is preliminary in that Asus could change its pricing before the tablets launch along with Windows 8. But if the pricing sticks these tablets could have rough sledding ahead. Given the pricing fumbles of OEMs, it's no wonder that Microsoft has cooked up its Surface tablet. After all, Microsoft has the resources to lose money---just look at the billions lost in the search wars---in the name of market share. Link.

 

[Sl8er]

I'm more excited about this than the new iphone, IMO this looks better as well -not taking anything away from the iphone though, it looks fantastic.

 

[McCrazieGoalz]

I'm more excited about this than the new iphone, IMO this looks better as well -not taking anything away from the iphone though, it looks fantastic.

If there is anything that iOS X / OS X doesn't have, it is a plethora of devices. One mobile device and a few Mac models. This alone is enough to get me excited. One Win8 OEM has enough variety as does all of iOS + OS X.

By reading about each and every Win8 device I come across, I intend to make my decision easy.

Right now I am going with Nokia Lumia 920 for mobile device and the Samsung Ativ Smart PC (i.e. tab + plus docking station). A lot is depending on price since both devices (Lumia & Ativ tab/laptop) might be over priced.

However, it seems Asus is already out of the running for my money with that pricing. Lets see how the others come to the fore.

 

[McCrazieGoalz]

Acer confirms Windows 8 tablet specifications & pricing in N. Zealand

"Acer confirmed detailed pricing and specifications...which seemingly places the lower end tablet - the Iconia W510 - at US$712 (NZD$199) at launch... Unfortunately, the keyboard dock is an additional cost.

"At the higher end, the Iconia Tab W700... costs around $1260 without the keyboard, and the Iconia Tab is around $710. This makes the lower-end Iconia Tab a close contender for the iPad, with the iPad 3 currently retailing for $499 in the US [making the Iconia Tab a lot more expensive than the iPad]."

Source: Neowin.

I say sheeesh. Where and how are they getting these prices?

 

[skateboardt]

these prices are insane

 

[abandonallhope]

They better sort the pricing out :\

That is one thing that'll dash my eager anticipation quickly.

 

[McCrazieGoalz]

Seems like I might have to resort to ZTE devices - lol.

Not dissing or anything but it is in a different class to the Dells and HPs (ala Samsungs). So, I do not expect high prices from ZTE (I am counting on them for that).

However, the upside of this view point is that ZTE is likely to have lots of takers at its prices because it will be selling productivity devices with Win8 unlike with Android where quality means more because the crowd that is buying a tablet today (Android / iPad).

Today's tablet owner uses it more for pleasure than to make a living with and has money and thus insists more on quality than someone looking for an alternative productivity device, which Win8 devices promise to be.