A Windows tablet for NZ$300?

There are plenty of things to like about tablets that run Windows. Price isn’t one of them.

The first crop of tablets running Microsoft’s latest Windows 8 operating system typically cost as much as Apple's iPads. Prices quickly rise to levels making them far more expensive than Ultrabooks.

Android tablets often cost less than half the price. They might not be as good, but you couldn't argue Windows tablets are twice as useful.

Apple's iPad sets the standard

Given Apple’s market leadership and the cachet attached to the iPad brand, this makes life hard for anyone other than Microsoft who wants to sell Windows 8 tablets. HP, Lenovo and others have a built-in disadvantage.

And even Microsoft doesn’t sell its Surface tablets in the large numbers it might if the price was sharper.

Admittedly Windows tablets target a different market. People don’t buy them for the same tasks as Apple or Android tablets. They are closer to conventional laptops.

Nevertheless, the price difference is extreme. Which means many potential Windows tablet buyers are going elsewhere for their hardware.

Intel says it can change things

Relief could soon be on its way from Intel. Last week the chip-maker said a new generation of processors is on the way which could see tablet prices drop to as low as US$200. After allowing for currency, the usual technology price-gouging and GST that should see devices land in New Zealand for around $300.

That price is likely to kick-start Windows tablet sales. It could grab market share away from Android and possibly even Apple. Of course, it won’t do anything to help slumping PC sales. That train has left the station.

Incidentally, at that price, a Windows tablet would cost less than consumers were expected to pay for Windows software upgrades a decade ago.