It looks as though Microsoft has annoyed some of its chums by launching its own Windows 8 tablet, Surface.
Oliver Ahrens, Acer's senior VP and president for Europe, Middle East and Africa, told Reuters that Microsoft doesn't stand a chance in taking on Apple. A case of sour grapes? Or has he got a point?
"I don't think it will be successful because you cannot be a hardware player with two products," Ahrens said. "Microsoft is working with two dozen PC vendors worldwide, including the local guys, whereas Apple is alone, it can more or less do what it wants.
"Microsoft is a component of a PC system. A very important component but still a component."
Microsoft surprised its partners by launching its Surface Windows 8 tablet this week. Some are understandably irked, seeing as Microsoft is effectively competing with them, while still expecting them to make devices supporting its operating system.
Ahrens went on: "Instead of enhancing the user experience for Win 8... they open a new battlefield. I worry that this will lead into a defocus internally for Microsoft, and then we have to suffer because we are working with their products."
But it won't stop Acer from supporting Windows 8. Ahrens said the operating system was "extremely important" for Acer, and that the Taiwanese company would have four or five devices supporting it at launch. These will include tablets and an ultrabook. Earlier this month Acer unveiled Windows 8-powered laptops, tablets and desktops.
Acer founder Stan Shih, however, reckons Microsoft is up to something else. Previously, he said Microsoft will use its tablet to generate hype and increase demand, convincing more partners to produce Windows 8 tablets. Then Microsoft will withdraw from the market, presumably saying, "Our work here is done."
Who do you reckon is right? Is Microsoft fighting a losing battle against Apple? Let me know in the comments below, or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 17
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anonymous 24 June, 2012 15:14
I think Microsoft is building the hardware primarily to showcase it's new OS and set the bar higher for its OEM's. They will genuine sell it, but probably not care if they don't make huge amounts out of it. Three years development, is too long to drop it. Every time I see that photo, I really want one.
anonymous 24 June, 2012 17:52
It sounds like MS is saying that none of its PC customers have the design chops to challenge Apple and that they are tired of seeing their efforts on the OS squandered by hardware that does not measure up. Yeah, the competition with Apple is there, but the glove slap across the face is with PC makers.
anonymous 24 June, 2012 19:15
Do not underestimate Microsoft. These guys know exactly what they are doing. Microsoft fully know just like all other "tablet" developers that it is near to impossible to topple Apple. Having said that you have to think why does Windows 8 have the Metro interface that can also switch to standard desktop interface... Well this is because it wants it's hardware partners to up the game in design. Why should Microsoft fork out billions of dollars on hardware design and spec when they have their partners wrapped around there finger. The hardware market is different to the games console market so anyone making a feeble attempt to comment the success of the XBOX clearly does not have a clue. Microsoft are the kings of monopolisation. It's just a matter of time before we start seeing even more stunning Windows 8 powered tablets, desktops, touchscreen laptops and more touchscreens just to intergrate Metro interface.
Ruman Muhith - Systems Administrator
Ipswich, Unitied Kingdom
anonymous 24 June, 2012 19:16
"He said Microsoft will use its tablet to generate hype and increase demand, convincing more partners to produce Windows 8 tablets. Then Microsoft will withdraw from the market, presumably saying: "Our work here is done.""
That is the most ridiculous theory!
Microsoft is not spending hundreds of millions of dollars, developing and marketing these products, just to make a statement and not to actually sell those products.
What kind of drugs was Acer founder Stan Shih taking when he said that?
anonymous 24 June, 2012 19:17
"He said Microsoft will use its tablet to generate hype and increase demand, convincing more partners to produce Windows 8 tablets. Then Microsoft will withdraw from the market, presumably saying: "Our work here is done.""
That is the most ridiculous theory!
Microsoft is not spending hundreds of millions of dollars, developing and marketing these products, just to make a statement and not to actually sell those products.
What kind of drugs was Acer founder Stan Shih taking when he said that?
anonymous 24 June, 2012 19:17
"He said Microsoft will use its tablet to generate hype and increase demand, convincing more partners to produce Windows 8 tablets. Then Microsoft will withdraw from the market, presumably saying: "Our work here is done.""
That is the most ridiculous theory!
Microsoft is not spending hundreds of millions of dollars, developing and marketing these products, just to make a statement and not to actually sell those products.
What kind of drugs was Acer founder Stan Shih taking when he said that?
anonymous 24 June, 2012 19:18
"He said Microsoft will use its tablet to generate hype and increase demand, convincing more partners to produce Windows 8 tablets. Then Microsoft will withdraw from the market, presumably saying: "Our work here is done.""
That is the most ridiculous theory!
Microsoft is not spending hundreds of millions of dollars, developing and marketing these products, just to make a statement and not to actually sell those products.
What kind of drugs was Acer founder Stan Shih taking when he said that?
anonymous 24 June, 2012 21:30
Win 8 will FAIL,
Because they did achieve their three main design goals.
1. Control the hardware.
2. Own the ass.
3. Sell the eyeball$.
All in all, look at the 'real' big picture.
Win 8 is itself the greatest malware ever devised.
If you are dumb enough to install this POS and sign up to be tracked, data mined, profiled like never before. You will deserve what you get.
"Oh, please MS turn my PC into a Fugly, dysfunctional, locked in, self bricking, remote controlled adserver, and tell me these are 'features'.
FU.
anonymous 25 June, 2012 10:40
^^Pass the tin foil hat ^^
anonymous 25 June, 2012 12:48
They did it with the x-box now they are going to do it again with tablets.
anonymous 25 June, 2012 17:09
if you mean by "losing money" - than you're right... They're going to do it again with Tablets!
anonymous 25 June, 2012 20:28
I see Apple pulling it's statements its virus free. Come on Apple, we all knew a long time ago what you've been hiding.
anonymous 25 June, 2012 20:29
NYTimes reports that Apple is a cult.
anonymous 26 June, 2012 21:03
I am reading this on a Acer Iconia W500 tab running Windows 8 release preview (seriously, I'm not a geek). Despite being a bit heavy, thick and designed for Win 7, it has a truly lovely screen and runs the software admirably (for the sake of irony and speed, I'm typing this on an Apple Bluetooth keyboard). Nevertheless, I'd argue that anyone who puts the two (yes two! Apple corp) USB ports on the bottom of the tablet, needs all the design help they can get. I have a MacBook Air and my friends are always, either assuming I have an IPad, or asking when I am getting one. I love Apple, but the thing that has stopped a constantly travelling Exec like me getting one, is its limitations. Win 8 answers all of that. Earlier I was using the Metro interface for watching videos and listening to music and I am now using the desktop interface as I have just installed the trial version of Adobe Fireworks CS6: that level of flexibility will be a winner for many.
anonymous 5 July, 2012 12:48
The problem with Microsoft is that they are followers, not leaders and as such always make a bad copy of other peoples work. You can already access Office documents on tablets, but I dread to think how badly Microsoft will screw it up!
anonymous 14 July, 2012 06:43
"..and sign up to be tracked, data mined, profiled like never before. You will deserve what you get."
But isn't this what ALL Apple products sign up for?? And they can remove software (or anything else) from YOUR device/s at will!
anonymous 14 July, 2012 06:51
"The problem with Microsoft is that they are followers, not leaders... "
They ALL copy one another (or previous unpatented stuff), you really don't believe that Apple have actually created anything original do you!? Even their heavily touted iOS and iCloud service is ripped off and built on top of Debian (a FREE and open-source OS).
And I'm glad that they copy one another, because I as a customer, want all the cool things that each company comes up with independently and I want them all in any machine I choose to buy.
Also, many companies licence technology to one another and make huge amounts of money off of it, whilst they sit back and laugh about how all us customers believe the hype. Think 'Blur vs Oasis' type of scenario.. Blur and Oasis disn't hate one another's music - it was the record companies who wanted to believe that so that we battled it out to buy more of our favourite than the one who was buying more of their favourite,. It's a tried and tested marketing (read.. brainwashing!!) ploy.