Microsoft has found itself in an interesting situation by going from having a zero percent market share in tablets to having a 7.5 percent share, according to market research analyst company Strategy Analytics. That sounds wonderful, until you see that Apple maintained a previous percentage of 48 percent and Android’s numbers depend on if you count only high-end tablets. Adding white box, or non-brand name, devices to the list means jumping Android’s numbers even higher, to Microsoft’s detriment.
Keep in mind the existing Windows market share, which remains a majority. Microsoft’s inability to capture more than 10 percent of the market is insanely disproportionate. Part of the reasoning for that loose grasp on the market may have to do with a lack of desire to embrace the new OS coupled with confusion regarding Windows 8 pro vs RT. We’re not even sure what constitutes a Windows 8 tablet. Is that strictly limited to slate devices or does the name also apply to hybrids like the Lenovo Twist?
Speaking of the physical aspect, let’s not forget that size matters too. It was almost certainly Apple’s caving in to the 7″ market that almost certainly kept those iPad numbers up. As of right now, every Windows tablet on the market is a 10″ model. The bar was recently lowered to have a “minimum resolution of 1024 x 768 at a depth of 32 bits across all Windows 8 system form factors” as a response to the supposed growth in the market of 7″ models. So far, only one is known about, and even that was a leak.
A cute leak, but still not anything official.
The addition of additional form factors could supply a boost to Microsoft’s tablet sales. However, it may be that going smaller is too little, too late.
I’ve watched the commercials for the Microsoft tablet, and thought “Pretty, flashy, dance routine, but what the heck does the TABLET do?”
I bought the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, by the way. I knew it would do what I wanted/needed it to do.