Is Windows 10 about to give an indirect boost to iPad sales?
Over the past couple of years, there has been talks of a decline in tablet sales across the board. Both the Apple iPad and multiple lines of Android tablets have suffered a decline in sales. A similar trend has been observed in connection to PC sales, however, there are reasons to believe this trend will change, once Windows 10 hits commercial availability.
The important factor to consider is that an influx of brand new Windows 10 touch screen tablets is about to reach consumers. Devices like the Microsoft Surface are expected to increase the appeal of tablets, including competing devices like the Apple iPad.
The tablet is a product that is evolving rapidly from that of being an oversized and simplified smartphone-like device, to being a product capable of desktop-class capabilities, ergo there is no reason to believe in a future without the tablet, especially now, with Microsoft starting a new trend of responsive operating systems capable of adapting to all sorts of screens, from small tablets, to HDTV displays.
From a user experience standpoint, as consumers increasingly rely on desktop devices they can carry around and interact with through touchscreens and stylus pens, it’s likely that the iPad, as well as some of the more advanced Android tablets, will no longer be seen as extensions of smartphones, but rather, and at last, as powerful and complete computing devices, that integrate into a vibrantly connected home.
While it’s likely that Windows 10 will generate new appeal for tablets, it’s worth noting that Microsoft is still a company that operates differently than Apple, and tablet devices running Windows will always offer a different experience than devices running iOS, and that is exactly what consumers need: the option to choose between powerful brands offering quality devices.
The tablet wars have already begun
Keeping the above in mind, Microsoft and Apple may already be planning for a “capture-the-flag” scenario, in which increasingly powerful specs, such as 8-core CPUs and advanced mobile graphics chips, will create the conditions for a new level of “Mac Vs PC”. With technology giants making strides in bringing longer-lasting battery power, and desktop-class performance to the mobile world, we may be looking at an interesting decade ahead.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is the perfect example of the type of devices users should feel excited about, and likely to develop new habits for. Using Cortana on a desktop operating system like Windows 10 will feel increasingly familiar, when using portable devices, even at 10 or 12 inches screen size and up. The Surface Pro already packs desktop-like processing power, advanced graphics performance, and plenty of memory, to replace most laptops 4 years or older.
The rumored iPad Pro will also bring a new dimension to Apple iOS tablets, especially with increasingly powerful A-class chips and the crisp, sharp image quality of the Retina display, on a 12.9 inches display. this screen size puts the iPad Pro in direct competition with future Windows touch devices of equal size.