[Windows 8 General] e.mote:
More details on the $200 Atom notebook. This time, an Intel VP has stated that said touch notebook will run Android.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57581500-92/android-notebooks-yep-intel-says-and-theyll-only-cost-$200/

From a geek's POV, it's actually more exciting to have an x86 Android notebook, since lack of a keyboard is a big obstacle in changing droid toys into tools (ie for productivity). With Intel as a backer, we can expect better OS updates, which would remove Android's BIGGEST problem of poor vendor support. At the same time, the x86 hardware would include the high probability of dual boot into Windows or Linux.

The fly-in-the-ointment would be storage space. At $200, I'm assuming said touch (detachable?) notebook will be in the 7-8" range, w/ 1GB RAM and 16GB storage. 1GB RAM is doable for Win8, but 16GB flash would be tight for Win8. Dual-booting would be even tougher assuming a 4/12 split.

With past Win versions, there've been tools to strip out the bloat, ie XPLite/VistaLite/7Lite. I haven't seen an equiv for 8, but there's a front-end for DISM that looks promising, WinToolkit,

http://wincert.net/forum/files/file/5-win-toolkit

12GB is more than doable for a slimmed-down Win. Program folders will need to be relocated to the SD slot (ditto for Android apps). Hopefully it'll have a USB port for additional storage use. Keyboard will be cramped, but it'll still be better than the old WinCE clamshells.

Another (slower) dual-boot option is to do Win2Go onto a USB stick. The problem here is at that price point, there won't be USB 3.0 and WTG will be a total slug.

It'll be an exercise in minimal computing. But it will be fun.

Geek toys aside, it's an intriguing Intel move to find new markets for its wares, and Android is the obvious choice. If successful, the initiative will undermine and directly compete against MS' effort to move Win8 into lower price points, which is where Windows is weakest. For geeks, it's a no-brainer for the $200 Android (dual-bootable) toy, especially if the Windows counterpart is locked with Secure Boot.

Harder to call for regular users, but I think the $200 Android would still be more appealing, as Android+apps is still better than Metro+apps (desktop isn't as relevant on a small device), and the higher pricing to account for OS license + larger needed storage space.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander; Intel is doing what MS has done with its support for ARM. But this surely won't help the Wintel marital bliss. Just as Intel undoubtedly cheered when Surface RT hit the skids, I'm sure MS is bringing out the voodoo doll for Android notebooks. Regardless of the peanut gallery, a $200 toy stands a much better chance of selling than a $600 toy.

The above piece mentioned that Core (IVB?) notebooks will be "as low as $400." From this we can assume that Atom notebooks will be $300 or less. The netbook returns.

I'm wondering about the Surface 8"--whether MS will go premium and fit the 8" with a full-HD screen (to compete with iPad Mini 2's Retina), or will it go value with low-res and $300-or-less pricing. Straight-line projection says that it'll go premium, and price will be same as iPad Mini at $329.