If OEMs aren't committed to Windows 8, where are they to go?

Microsoft understands that building its own line of Surface tablets is going to upset the OEMs, but it's doing it anyway because there's not much the OEMs can do about it.

Read all about it here:

If OEMs aren't committed to Windows, where are they to go? | ZDNet

 

[R0bR]

It seems OEMs are committed after all.

HP, Acer, Lenovo eye Windows 8 tablets | Microsoft - CNET News

 

[SIW2]

They have to produce a range of machines.

They can't just sit it out and produce nothing for 3 years.

The question is - how committed are they?

They will, of course talk the talk, do the fancy press releases and so on.

They are going to try and sell the range they are having to produce.

But just how much risk will they take?

They are probably hoping it will do well - the higher priced machines give them better margins.

What if win8 doesn't do very well - do you reckon the oem's will have bet the farm on it?

That would be an interesting stance for them to take.

 

[Coke Robot]

I think it would be the same amount of risk as it would be taking the android tablet route. But, without the commitment. I'd figure the OEMs are committed to it because it's simply Windows, it's a platform they've been using for years and years and for a few, decades.

 

[FSeal]

I think it would be the same amount of risk as it would be taking the android tablet route. But, without the commitment. I'd figure the OEMs are committed to it because it's simply Windows, it's a platform they've been using for years and years and for a few, decades.

This isn't windows though, it's nothing like Windows. It's a new OS and new UI, a new experience altogeather. It could fly or it could die. So that ups the risk significantly. However, if things DO pan out it ups the rewards too. It's like playing roulette, where making an Android tablet today is more like playing blackjack. Risk is low but payout is low. Win8, risk is high but payout (if it pays out) is also high.

 

[chun96]

It seems OEMs are committed after all.

HP, Acer, Lenovo eye Windows 8 tablets | Microsoft - CNET News

Yes indeed!

 

[SIW2]

I think you will find they are being cautious - just in case it bombs - they don't want to go bust.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
It will probably be like VISTA users were given a roll back to XP. I would imagine that W7 will be the roll back option here -- and a lot of users (not the first time users) will de-install 8 very quickly and re-install W7.

Cheers
jimbo