Microsoft is comparing the 64 GB $699 iPad to the $449 ASUS VivoTab Smart 64 GB tablet. Compared on price and functionality, the Windows 8 tablet seems to be a hands-down winner from this angle. The ASUS tablet uses Windows 8 not Windows RT, which might have been a closer competition. The Windows 8 tablet also utilize an Intel Atom dual-core processor to give it longer battery life but less power.
One debatable point of the ad will be the comment about PowerPoint. Microsoft has stated that it plans to offer the Microsoft Office suite for various operating systems (iOS, Android, etc) in the future. A viewer version of the Office applications will be free while the full applications to edit and modify documents, spreadsheets, and presentations will cost a license or be covered in the “5 devices” that the Office 365 license allows. Once that application is available, Microsoft will be shooting this argument in the foot.
Of course, the ad is bringing out all the fanboys. Which system do you prefer? Do you think it’s a fair fight or is it more like comparing Apples and oranges?
