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Microsoft Surface tablet is ‘sincerest form of flattery’ for Apple

Updated Dec 19th, 2018 8:27PM EST
BGR

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Microsoft unveiled its first own-brand tablet on Monday evening and beyond the simple truth that both devices are tablet computers, it seems like a stretch to state that the Surface is an iPad copy. Apple’s iPad sports smooth lines and the familiar iOS operating system while Microsoft’s new Surface tablet features sharp edges and the unique Metro UI atop Windows RT or Windows 8 Pro. Windows 8 and iOS are not exactly peas in a pod but according to one industry watcher, Microsoft’s debut tablet is nothing short of an iPad clone.

“Last night, Microsoft announced Surface, a ‘new family of PCs for Windows’ that are tablets with some of the functionality of a PC,” Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White wrote in a note to investors on Tuesday. “If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, the compliments from Microsoft poured down like a torrential storm on Apple last night. At the same time, this event indicates to us that Microsoft is still searching for its own identify in the post-PC era, something that has come naturally for Apple with the rise of the mobile Internet.”

White believes the new Microsoft tablets will find a home in various niches within the enterprise market, but he doesn’t see the Surface as a potential mass-market player. “On the surface, we believe Microsoft’s tablet-related products may have a place in certain parts of the enterprise world that require Windows-based solutions; however, we found little in yesterday’s presentation that would convince us that a consumer would prefer Surface over an iPad.”

To even have a chance of competing with the iPad, White contends that Microsoft’s Surface will have to come in at a price point that offers a “healthy discount” compared to Apple’s tablets. Unfortunately for Microsoft, he doesn’t believe Microsoft has much hope of beating the iPad 2’s $399 price tag or even the new iPad’s $499 entry point. And to make matters worse for the Redmond-based company, White sees Apple launching an “iPad mini” as early as this coming September for between $250 and $300 that will provide “a more cost competitive product for Apple and [open] up a new market segment.”

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.