[Windows 8 General] e.mote:
>All other notable windows tablets had a "paper launch".

Probably because all except DVP8 were launched after the new year, and fewer people buy new toys in Q1. In any case, despite being heavily promoted in MS Store, DVP8 has since shown up at various discounter outlets with hefty markdowns, which indicates poor sales. So a paper launch would be in line with demand.

"Full Windows" as it stands require a keyboard for full functionality, hence the initial push for 2n1's. It was only when that didn't pan out that MS went the value angle and put "pure tablet" on the menu, since it's cheaper to go without a KB dock. But Windows hasn't changed; desktop still needs a KB (and a display larger than 8"). Despite the pitch of full Win, 8" tabs can't really make use of desktop, and what's left is a $250 8" Metro tab that has an inferior eco to a $100 7" Android tab. At least by the holidays the comparison will be $150 Metro vs $100 Android, which should be more competitive.

Yes I've seen the Surface mini rumors. Unless it has a bundled mini-KB cover and priced around $250, I don't much appeal for it. But as said going lowball will upset OEMs, and I don't that happening. Translation: Meh.

Personally, I think 10" is the minimum size for Win toys, as it allows better desktop use. IMO, the Asus T100 is best 2n1 available wrt bang/buck. It comes with KB dock, and is $349 w/ 64GB or $399 w/ 32GB + 500GB HDD. $400 for a slightly more versatile netbook is still high, but price should drop along with every other Atom device this holiday season. Will probably pick one up if it hits BF.

BTW, this is the silver lining of Metro's failure--prices keep getting lower. If Metro was a hit, free Win would never have happened, and Intel wouldn't have incurred billions in losses to subsidize Atom sales. So, for selfish reasons, I'm cheering for Metro to continue its face-plant. FLOP METRO FLOP! *8]

>Also, AFAIK the Surface Pro is still best in-class in its segment.

You can't be "best" at something when there is nobody else competing. There is no such thing as a one-man race. Pro tried to create a new market for $1K productivity 2n1, but lack of response indicates a failed attempt. Its main flaw is that the 10.6" display isn't large enough for productivity. The flaw is also the fundamental conundrum for 2n1. The 10-11" size is probably the largest that can be full-time tablets (ie for extended one-handed use), but productivity workhorses today are 13+". So a 2n1 is then a part-time tablet + undersized laptop--what the Pro is. You still need a full-time device for regular use of either variety. This undermines the 2n1's pitch of needing only one device for both uses.

MS could have alleviated this issue, by improving desktop to work better with touch, and adapting productivity software to a smaller display size. Instead, desktop was declared as legacy and basically deprecated. The whole of Win 8.x including latest update was to push Metro. Its flaws in design, and failure to get adoption, doomed the entire Win8 eco.

I am somewhat intrigued by the rumored Metro-on-desktop feature. This implies the possibility that the old WIMP windowing manager will supplant Metro's "snap" (aka vertical striping) function, thereby allowing more flexible windowing and multitasking workflow. As well is the possibility that the desktop and Metro "start screen" can meld into one. But merging Win32 and WinRT probably isn't trivial, and MS has underperformed my expectations too often to give this much credence. So for now I expect Win9 to be another quasi-service pack that continues Metro's litany of frumpy frowns, and hope for a pleasant surprise.

With Office for iPad, MS has taken the first baby steps toward productivity-for-touch. Sad then that the Win rev is a probable no-show for this year. It shows just how difficult the transition is, and how far MS has to go. I'm confident the Win32 desktop will be around for at least another decade.