Webtops, like used by the Motorola Atrix, etc are just poor imitations and is why they’re now trying to run Desktop Linux on Android.

Apple itself is expected to eventually port OSX to run on ARM.

Pretty much MS has the same opportunity Apple had when they first introduced the iPad. Apple didn’t invent the tablet, they just were the first that made one that could sell well. So MS is in a similar position now to bring in a full PC Tablet that can sell well.

While the last decade hasn’t been all bad for MS as they’ve had successes too, and unlike the Zune they’re not trying to make a me too product but something that has merits of its own that does offer more than what’s available now.

Well, that’s just the minefield Redmond’s chosen to dance upon now. It’s also pretty much the same playbook Microsoft has used in recent years going up against Apple: if they can’t outdo Cupertino via design or UI, they’ll simply stuff more features into their new offering. This hasn’t played out too well in the past (let’s not forget that the recently-86′d Zune was the *second* misfire for MS in the digital-music arena), and while anything can happen, I seriously doubt either of these tablet offerings will upend the iPad any time soon. The best they can hope for is that this platform somewhat expands the playing field for Windows 8, and possibly go one-on-one versus Android. Even as a longtime Mac user, it’s a bit depressing to watch Microsoft’s George of the Jungle routine with almost every product release…Win7 being a thankful exception.

So for now we can only see a few models that can cover maybe 2-4 different carries depending on how compatible they are with each other.

The technology is always improving though and they are working on making it so phones could someday configure themselves as needed to work on any carrier but it’s going to take a few more years.

But that’s okay as far as Android, considering while Google’s version is generations ahead, the versions most Android users are stuck with, aren’t. lol

I’m not sure how Windows RT tablets will do. But An x86 tablet, now that’s a tablet that I might actually consider purchasing.

Just because a product may not have been there from the start has no relevance other than how much market momentum the already established products have that they’ll have to overcome to gain market share.

What matters is whether the product is good and whether it fills a demand. While no one stays on top forever and thus the markets will always change over time.

Mind, MS is offering more with Windows 8 than either iOS or Android offer.

Google knows this and is one of the reasons why they’re working to be able to run Desktop Linux on future versions of Android. Something that’s possible now that Linux has re-merged the kernels with 3.3 onward.

Nice as either iOS and Android can ever be, they’ll never replace the power and functionality of desktop OS because they were never designed to!

Now THAT would make me whine….. Boo..wooooo….

The only suggestion I have is FEWER MODELS, but MORE CHOICE/OPTION.

Instead of having a phone for every carrier, have one model that is on all carriers. And give it color options and storage options.

Tablet wise? I probably say 10.1/11/13 inch options with 16/32/64/128/etc.. options.
And color options.

And do it with everything.
Ultrabooks: I say, 11,13 and 15 inch options. up to 1080p displays, up to i7 ULV CPU’s, (maybe a 2.1Ghz quad core in the 15 inch and graphics chip in the 15 inch as well), up to 8GB memory and 512GB SSD.

Laptops: 13, 15, 17 (maybe 14 and 16 as well), up to 1080p display, up to i7 CPU’s, 16GB memory, 512/1024GB SSD/1/2TB platter, blu-ray drive and 1/2GB graphics chip.

FEWER MODELS with LARGER options. If HP, Dell, Asus, Acer, Samsung, Sony, Lenovo, Toshiba, HTC, Motorola, Nokia, LG, etc… did this, They all could be far more successful than they are now.

And those who make “business” computers can fold those business computers into these models and offer an business “option” on these devices.

With ARM, Microsoft’s table loses pretty much all of the advantages you mentioned. In fact, it would be a serious underdog (hardly any apps, basic features etc.)

So again, while I think Metro is an abomination on the desktop, I think it, and a Microsoft tablet, would make a lot of sense, and, honestly, provide the only credible threat to the iPad. As much as I love Android, it just doesn’t seem to offer uniquely compelling apps in tablet form.

So, if Microsoft does release a tablet, along with their smartphone, all running Windows 8, they do have a very good chance of it taking off rather well. The only real “hitch” in this concept is that companies are slow to upgrade to new version of Windows. A typical company wants to want about a year to let all the major bugs get fixed before they implement it into their office environment. Also, it costs money to upgrade, and right now, unless a business is in serious need of the latest OS, there is no reason to spend the money.

A year from now though, if someone is buying their first tablet and Microsoft’s tablet is rather equal to the iPad, I can easily see them buying Microsoft’s over Apple’s. And then when they upgrade their current phone that runs Android, switching a Microsoft one… so all their devices will operate in the same manner, and this is not even including the possibility that the Xbox may me integrated as well.