Analyst predicts Microsoft to become the second biggest tablet manufacturer

At this year’s Computex 2012, Windows 8 tablets have arguably been the biggest talking points. This new breed of Windows 8 tablets are looking to usher in a new genre of tablets cum Ultrabooks with their keyboard dock and touch functionality. Coupled with the productivity superiority of Windows, they look to put up a formidable fight against the lot of Android and iOS devices. This notion has been predicted by Morgan Stanley analyst Kathryn Huberty who projects that after Apple and their iPad, Microsoft will take the number two spot in the tablet market, in the process surpassing Android. 

The tablet wars have a new player

As per a report by Forbes who states, “Huberty and the tech team at Morgan Stanley are now estimating shipments of 133 million tablets in 2012, up 57% from their original estimates; and 216 million tablets in 2013, up 112%. No surprise there, tablet sales have been growing fast — despite high-profile stumbles by Hewlett-Packard and Dell — thanks to demand for Apple’s iPad tablet computer.”

In an analysis of the market, Huberty and her team stated, “Our survey suggests 25% of users expect to buy Windows 8 tablet and Office is a key feature, especially for those considering their first tablet purchase.” The report goes on to add, “The Redmond, Wash., software giant should be able to attract tablet builders by bundling its two strongest personal computer brands — Office and Windows. Huberty goes on to state, “Our analysis suggests Microsoft could charge $82-114 for Windows and Office before OEMs would lose money on tablets”

The report by Forbes ends by stating, “Microsoft better hope Huberty is right, because if Microsoft can’t make itself relevant in the tablet market now, the value of its Windows and Office brands will only get weaker over time as Apple and Google push alternatives to Office such as Apple’s iWork and Google Docs on iOS and Android tablets. For Microsoft, it’s now or never.”

At Computex this year, many manufacturers are building tablets running the Windows 8 operating system. Some of these include the ASUS Taichi, Acer W510, MSI Slider S20, Acer Iconia W700 and the ASUS Transformer Book. All this tablets are expected to be launched later this year and judging by the analyst’s predictions, they are certainly expected to make a splash in the market.