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Microsoft's Risky Tablet Announcement

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the lets-table-this-tablet dept.

itwbennett writes "The New York Times describes the tablet announcement that Steve Ballmer is supposed to make in his CES opening keynote tonight as 'one of Steve Ballmer's riskiest trade show moves in years.' And blogger Peter Smith is in complete agreement. Here's why: 'Whether or not this announcement is intended as a direct response to the much-rumored Apple event that may or may not be happening on January 27th, consumers will perceive it as one,' says Smith. And if Microsoft unveils a traditional tablet then 'they'll be up against the (presumably more expensive) iTablet and the cult of Apple.' But if the device is the dual-screen Courier that we heard about back in September then it'll be up against the (presumably less expensive) enTourage eDGe, says Smith."

4 of 338 comments (clear)

  1. Ballmertainment by Improv · · Score: 3, Funny

    I hope he throws it while chanting DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS...

    --
    For every problem, there is at least one solution that is simple, neat, and wrong.
  2. at the conference... by StripedCow · · Score: 5, Funny

    sorry people, you'll all have to stand... we removed all chairs as a precaution

    --
    If Pandora's box is destined to be opened, *I* want to be the one to open it.
  3. Oblig. by comm2k · · Score: 5, Funny

    "The Tablet takes cutting-edge PC technology and makes it available wherever you want it, which is why I'm already using a Tablet as my everyday computer. It's a PC that is virtually without limits -- and within five years I predict it will be the most popular form of PC sold in America."

    Bill Gates, 2001

  4. Re:Courier by cayenne8 · · Score: 4, Funny
    "One of my friends heard from his friend that his uncle's coworker heard that the Courier will be offered at a significantly marked-down price,,,"

    My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with a girl who saw Ferris pass-out at 31 Flavors last night.

    I guess it's pretty serious.

    --
    Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........