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A comment on Kindle Fire HD hurts Microsoft more than Apple. Parent comment

Re:Kindle Fire HD hurts Microsoft more than Apple by seanmcdirmid on Sunday September 09, 2012 @07:55PM (#4497536)
The tablet market, at this moment, is going the other way, to include devices that are cheaper, a bit smaller, and more oriented toward pure consumption (Nexus 7, Fire HD, iPad Mini). This market has lower margins but the potential for lots of sales even beyond the iPad today.

Now Microsoft comes with Surface (Pro and non-Pro), sounds like they are going after niche high-end tablet markets (those who want Office + a keyboard), and higher-end tablet markets (though who want to run Visual Studio). Completely opposite direction that at best will be a successful ultra-book. I'm not seeing mass appeal, but a lot of that will come down to pricing.

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Re:Kindle Fire HD hurts Microsoft more than Apple by cooldeal on Sunday September 09, 2012 @08:12PM (#4497596)
New products can and do disrupt market trends, especially in such a huge market.

> sounds like they are going after niche high-end tablet markets (those who want Office + a keyboard), , and higher-end tablet markets (though who want to run Visual Studio).Completely opposite direction that at best will be a successful ultra-book.

Niche in this market mean at least tens of millions of people. Not to say that the Surface Pro will succeed(pricing is important as you say) but the laptop/ultrabook market is still much bigger than the tablet, both the install base and sales.

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