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Foot-long slab too big? Microsoft 'has a 7-incher' to stroke

Smaller Surface tab rumoured to chase iPad Mini sales

Microsoft will put a smaller, 7-inch Windows 8-powered Surface laptop-cum-tablet into production this year, according to insiders.

Shrinking the touchscreen slab wasn't part of Microsoft's strategy when the then-Windows chief Steven Sinofsky unveiled Redmond's own 12-inch Surfaces and similar-sized Windows 8 devices from PC manufacturers.

However, the software giant has noticed the growing popularity of smaller tabs - such as the 7-inch iPad Mini and Google Nexus - and has shouldered some of the blame for a disastrous first-quarter of global PC sales: its Windows 8 gear as it stands just isn't attractive enough, so something has to give.

Microsoft was unable to comment at time of writing.

If rumours of the 7-inch Surface are on the money, it raises a number of interesting questions. Microsoft may have to double down on the compact and battery-friendly processor architecture ARM - the family of cores used in its 12-inch Surface RT. Microsoft does have a 12-inch Intel-powered slab - the Surface Pro - but this is fatter, slightly heavier and has worse battery life compared to Surface RT.

Unless a radical redesign emerges on the Intel side, Microsoft will want to put ARM cores in the smaller Surface for the sake of expediency - if it wants to hit mass volume this year.

Going with ARM, however, comes with a major handicap: a lack of apps. At least on the Intel-powered slabtops, existing x86-compatible software can be installed and run. Windows 8 on ARM is so new, however, there's a paucity of programs for punters.

And that will be a big consideration if, as is expected, Microsoft wants 7-inch Surfaces ready to ship in time for Christmas, traditionally the biggest booster to gadget sales. Relatively few Windows 8 computers were sold during the 2012 festive shopping spree, and Redmond will not want a repeat of that.

The Surface Pro reportedly sold out, but it was only because initial production numbers were rather low. Computer makers, meanwhile, have been happily selling PCs running Windows 7.

The whole episode has resulted in a circular blame game: Microsoft accused PC manufacturers of making undesirable machines, and the factories said Microsoft cocked up the design of Windows 8 and confused consumers by launching its own Surface hardware.

According to IDC's number crunchers, the first three months of 2013 was the worst quarter for sales of PCs since it started tracking shipments in 1994.

Sales fell 13.9 per cent year on year, nearly double the expected drop, and bean counters IDC reckoned Windows 8 may have made things worse thanks to its touch-drive Metro user interface, a radical step away from the traditional Windows desktop.

"It seems clear that the Windows 8 launch not only failed to provide a positive boost to the PC market, but appears to have slowed the market," IDC program vice-president for clients and displays Bob O'Donnell said in a statement.

"While some consumers appreciate the new form factors and touch capabilities of Windows 8, the radical changes to the user interface, removal of the familiar Start button, and the costs associated with touch have made PCs a less attractive alternative to dedicated tablets and other competitive devices. Microsoft will have to make some very tough decisions moving forward if it wants to help reinvigorate the PC market." ®

Dear Microsoft

HIRE SOME BLOODY DEVELOPERS WITH THE SOLE JOB OF WRITING DECENT APPS. Stop waiting on everyone else, it will cost 1% of your marketing budget and do far more good.

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Anonymous Coward

Doomed to failure

You will find this on the shelves next to the Kin and Zune.

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Re: MISSING @Phoenix....

Trouble is that I hate Microsoft more than Eadon, so it should be my name there, not his....

And some of us have been SOOOOO badly burned by Microsoft, their dirty corporate sleaze and incompetence...

And we have very, very long memories....

Ripped off, price gouged, defective software, bad imperialist USA market bullying...

Hassling the Linux users....

The really shitty fractionalisation of the one product, into many, many variants, that only differ in the degree of crippling and loss of functions.

The never ending phoney upgrade cycles, with new and improved versions, that have generally little if any real improvements and usually a fair smack of stupid cheap gift wrapping - like "The Ribbon".

So I for one praise Eadon for his remarkable observations and corporate cutlassing...

But I still hate Microsoft more than him.

Microsoft's 7 incher... Ohhhh Haaaa Haaaaaaa Haaaaaaaaaaaa ALL CAPS + FAIL.

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Anonymous Coward

Re: Doomed to failure

If Microsoft continue with their fingers in their ears, yes.

Microsoft have fooled themselves into believing that their problems are because of the formfactor, or the size, or the build quality or price. However the REAL problem as everyone knows, is bloody Windows 8 RT/Windows Phone 8/ Windows 8 (take your pick).

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The answer is simple...

...just make something that consumers actually want.

The problem is that MSFT have been in a monopoly position for too long and have struggled to spot consumer trends. Even the biggest IT consumer trend at the moment (not wanting TIFKAM) is staring them in the face but they refuse to open their eyes and look at it.

They are the high school bully who still thinks he can still throw his weight around even after everyone has graduated.

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