Dell Venue Lineup Revival Thoughts
I saw a post on Twitter which lead me to an article about Dell's upcoming new Dell Venue Pro tablets. The Dell Venue Pro 8 and 11. What surprises me most is how most people are using these as an excuse to mock Microsoft and the price point of the upcoming Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2. And while I think the components and prices in Dell's new line make a compelling argument for people to buy the Dell models over the Microsoft models I don't think it will have a sizeable impact on Surface sales. And here's why.
I think, Windows 8 is either dead, or devices like Dell's will signal a revival for Microsoft. As with probably everyone else I was dis-satisfied with the Windows 8 launch for 2 reasons; a lack of touch supported hardware and the hardware which did support it was too expensive. There was a milder, tertiary reason in the lack of innovative implementations that made a strong argument for tablets.
The only companies that really brought anything of value to the first wave of Microsoft tablets were Acer and Microsoft. I bought an Iconia W510, and the only reason it even turned out to be a somewhat good buy was because the Atom processor that was in was MUCH better than previous Atom processors. Though, as I said before it was still no power house. But most people could use it as their daily computer. The extra battery life in a detachable keyboard dock was what made all of the difference. But as I implied, the cost was still a bit too high.
I didn't buy a Surface as I already had my W510 when they were released. But they also did a few good things. The keyboard covers, while lacking a battery, were much better in general than what I had in W510 and the prices were relatively high, but could probably make sense if you were in the market for an ultrabook already.
So, in my opinion the ultimate problem was this. Windows 8 only really only shines on touch hardware. At launch most devices sold with Windows 8 weren't touch enabled. And the ones which were too expensive (not including those running WinRT [though arguably even those were too expensive as well]). This created very little demand in the low end market. Without enough demand in the low end market, devices occupying the premium end of the cost spectrum generally tend to fizzle out. Which is what I believe happened here.
By the time we're at now where the second wave of tablets are being readied the situation has changed a bit. There is a LOT more touch enabled hardware out there. There are touch devices at most ends of the spectrum. Prior to these launches, there is really still not anything to get excited about, aside from that broadening of the availability and diversity of touch based Windows 8 devices. Microsoft's announcement merely adds more premium tablets to the market which isn't going to increase demand for anything really.
But the Dell tablets are another story, starting at $299 and $499 for the Venue Pro 8 and 11 respectively, these finally bring full Windows 8 on touch enabled tablets with interesting accessories to an affordable level. The Bay Trail processor in that $299 and $499 model is supposedly twice as fast as the CloverTrail processor in my W510. If that turns out being true across the board, that makes a pretty strong argument for those models. If it isn't too late for Windows 8 to make a come back, these devices might actually increase demand for the OS in general, which would in turn actually serve to increase Surface sales.
Frankly, this is what Microsoft was hoping its partners would have done back during the initial release. And if a few more OEM's get the message the way that Dell did and we could indeed be seeing a resurgence that will mean more sales for everyone.
Apparently the Venue Pro 8 will be available to order on the 18th. I'm not sure if I'm ready to downsize to an 8 inch tablet, but I may buy one anyway. The price is just too good. I'm also pretty tempted to get a Venue Pro 11 with a docking station, even if I only grab the Bay Trail based model.
I never really looked at the Surface Pro as a viable choice for me. The cost was simply too high, and the specs, for my money, don't deliver enough. If Dell can tempt me to buy one of these, the other part of the story is that Microsoft still wins, as I indirectly pay for an OS license as well. And, at the end of the day... that is another good reason why, even if these do cannibalize Surface sales, that it still wouldn't mark a terrible outcome for Microsoft.
I think, Windows 8 is either dead, or devices like Dell's will signal a revival for Microsoft. As with probably everyone else I was dis-satisfied with the Windows 8 launch for 2 reasons; a lack of touch supported hardware and the hardware which did support it was too expensive. There was a milder, tertiary reason in the lack of innovative implementations that made a strong argument for tablets.
The only companies that really brought anything of value to the first wave of Microsoft tablets were Acer and Microsoft. I bought an Iconia W510, and the only reason it even turned out to be a somewhat good buy was because the Atom processor that was in was MUCH better than previous Atom processors. Though, as I said before it was still no power house. But most people could use it as their daily computer. The extra battery life in a detachable keyboard dock was what made all of the difference. But as I implied, the cost was still a bit too high.
I didn't buy a Surface as I already had my W510 when they were released. But they also did a few good things. The keyboard covers, while lacking a battery, were much better in general than what I had in W510 and the prices were relatively high, but could probably make sense if you were in the market for an ultrabook already.
So, in my opinion the ultimate problem was this. Windows 8 only really only shines on touch hardware. At launch most devices sold with Windows 8 weren't touch enabled. And the ones which were too expensive (not including those running WinRT [though arguably even those were too expensive as well]). This created very little demand in the low end market. Without enough demand in the low end market, devices occupying the premium end of the cost spectrum generally tend to fizzle out. Which is what I believe happened here.
By the time we're at now where the second wave of tablets are being readied the situation has changed a bit. There is a LOT more touch enabled hardware out there. There are touch devices at most ends of the spectrum. Prior to these launches, there is really still not anything to get excited about, aside from that broadening of the availability and diversity of touch based Windows 8 devices. Microsoft's announcement merely adds more premium tablets to the market which isn't going to increase demand for anything really.
But the Dell tablets are another story, starting at $299 and $499 for the Venue Pro 8 and 11 respectively, these finally bring full Windows 8 on touch enabled tablets with interesting accessories to an affordable level. The Bay Trail processor in that $299 and $499 model is supposedly twice as fast as the CloverTrail processor in my W510. If that turns out being true across the board, that makes a pretty strong argument for those models. If it isn't too late for Windows 8 to make a come back, these devices might actually increase demand for the OS in general, which would in turn actually serve to increase Surface sales.
Frankly, this is what Microsoft was hoping its partners would have done back during the initial release. And if a few more OEM's get the message the way that Dell did and we could indeed be seeing a resurgence that will mean more sales for everyone.
Apparently the Venue Pro 8 will be available to order on the 18th. I'm not sure if I'm ready to downsize to an 8 inch tablet, but I may buy one anyway. The price is just too good. I'm also pretty tempted to get a Venue Pro 11 with a docking station, even if I only grab the Bay Trail based model.
I never really looked at the Surface Pro as a viable choice for me. The cost was simply too high, and the specs, for my money, don't deliver enough. If Dell can tempt me to buy one of these, the other part of the story is that Microsoft still wins, as I indirectly pay for an OS license as well. And, at the end of the day... that is another good reason why, even if these do cannibalize Surface sales, that it still wouldn't mark a terrible outcome for Microsoft.
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