Posts by David Harrington 1

Storm in a teacup

Surface is all about raising the bar for what is a huge change to Windows, the biggest since Windows 95, not about competing with OEMs - I doubt they will sell a huge number or indeed expect to, at least initially. If Acer has some interesting new hardware to show us, like its more innovative rival Asus which I notice has been quiet on this subject, then what is stopping it? Microsoft has quite rightly realised that a step change in software means the same for hardware - and it is sending its OEMs a strong hint that the same old hardware just won't compete with the likes of Apple at all. If OEMs fail to step up to the mark, then they will surely extend sales to general retail channels with a suitable excuse like "in the light of strong demand for our series of innovative tablets...". At the moment, the tablet market is a one horse race, which is bad for everybody; Nexus 7 isn't even competing in the same space. The SECC filing is a red herring - this was more a regulatory and legal statement to avoid the potential of being sued by some dim wit shareholder who didn't realise the potential for competition. Acer already sells Android tablets which have notably failed to trouble Apple, so what exactly is Acer's cunning plan if Microsoft continues to go for Surface? The real issue for Acer is that they can't continue to sell the same hardware at vastly inflated prices, just because it happens to have Windows on. When I can buy Windows 8 for $39.99 and put it on any hardware I want, the $90 OEM claim seems way too high.

Must be a slow news day

What exactly is this article telling us that we don't already know? IE6 is full of holes - well I never knew that...

El Reg seems to be spinning it, not MS - XP users can also upgrade their browser, so how are they spinning it as a Win7 upgrade opportunity?

Delighted in Edinburgh

Well done DSG - doing this is clearly in the interests of your customers and thanks a lot - I was very surprised (in a good way) to get my copies this morning.

Reality hits hard

Linux has been trying for many years to become the dominent player in the desktop market and has resolutely failed, a fact which Linux fans should wake up and accept. Microsoft may have dropped the ball with Vista, but this has mainly been to the advantage of Apple - which is just another Microsoft in sheep's clothing. Now Windows 7 looms and frankly, Apple are scared because Microsoft have a product which compares well for usability and is cheaper (at least with the introductory offers), and Linux devotees are scared because it performs well too. With these advantages gone, what is there left for Windows' competitors?