ASUS won't use the strategy used by the Google and Amazon to eat away Apple's dominance in the tablet market. A leaked ASUS holiday roadmap sent to ZDNet revealed that the Vivo Tab RT, the tablet with an 11.6-inch Super IPS+ display, a next generation Intel Atom CPU, and Windows RT operating system, has an entry level price of $599 (32 GB of storage). The optional keyboard dock, which turns the device into a fully-fledged notebook when attached, comes at an additional $199. The high-end Vivo Tab, which would run on the full blown Windows 8, would start at $799. If ASUS proceeds with this pricing, the Vivo Tab RT would be $100 more expensive than the entry-level version of the market-leading iPad, although the $499 iPad just has 16 GB of storage and the 32 GB version costs $599.
What Else You Need To Know
- The ASUS Taichi, which has an 11.6-inch dual-screen device that acts as both a notebook and tablet, would come in at a pricey $1,299, and the Transformer Book will be sold for $1,399.
- Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer previously said that Microsoft's own Surface tablets, which would be launched October simultaneously with Windows 8, would be priced between $300 and $800.
- The Google/Asus Nexus 7 and the Amazon Kindle Fire, the most popular tablets after the iPad, are priced starting at $200.
Other sources
A manufacturer such as Asus has expertly navigated the line between affordable and innovative in its Transformer line — but that was in the Android camp. Windows 8 is entirely different beast, and market, so it’s discouraging to see prices starting so high.- Brandon Russell, Techno Buffalo
Keep in mind that these prices may change by the time these machines actually hit shelves, but if these are the prices ASUS has decided on, then it’s going to have some difficulties finding an audience.- Eric Abent, SlashGear
- TechnoBuffalo
-
Leaked Asus Windows 8 Roadmap Shows Devices Won’t Come Cheap
A manufacturer such as Asus has expertly navigated the line between affordable and innovative in its Transformer line — but that was in the Android camp. Windows 8 is entirely different beast, and market, so it’s discouraging to see prices starting so high.
- Engadget
-
Purported ASUS holiday roadmap pegs Windows 8 tablets at $599 and above
If these prices are any indication of what we can expect from other OEMs, Microsoft's Surface might be pricier than hoped.
- SlashGear
- ASUS Windows 8 tablet pricing revealed in leaked holiday roadmap
- Tech Radar
-
Asus Windows 8 tablets pegged between $599 - $1,299
Jerry Shen, Asus' president, said in August the company would look to the iPad when it came up with the price points for its new tablets.
- Tech Radar
-
Asus Windows 8 tablets reportedly pegged from $599 - $1,299
The Taichi, described as being "an innovative dual screen device," costs a whopping $1,299 (£799). The extra screen on the back of the laptop's lid really adds on cost.
- ZDNet
-
Asus Windows 8 tablet pricing comes in high; Demand likely low
Given the pricing fumbles of OEMs, it's no wonder that Microsoft has cooked up its Surface tablet. After all, Microsoft has the resources to lose money---just look at the billions lost in the search wars---in the name of market share.
- TN
- ASUS Windows 8 Tablets Prices Leak, Rumored to Start at $599
- Android Central
- Asus WinRT tablet prices leak, leading to wild assumptions on success and failure
- Other
- Asus Transformer Pad TF300T getting minor OTA software update said to improve “stability”
- Legit Reviews
- ASUS Prepares New Tablets For Windows 8 - Prices Leaked
- More...