Microsoft could be the best positioned vendor in the tablet PC market

Being in last place in the tablet market isn’t usually considered a good spot to be. However, in spite of the fact that Microsoft has 0 market share in the tablet PC world, some people are claiming that Microsoft is poised to make a big splash in the tablet world.

Specifically, articles like the one linked above claim that Apple’s market share will eventually drop below 50% after the release of Windows 8 tablets and that Microsoft and Samsung are set to rise. Meanwhile, other companies linked to the PC will plummet.

What’s the reasoning behind this prediction? Is it just a shot in the dark, or could Microsoft actually be in an envious position? Here are a few points that people have brought up in defense of Microsoft:

Tablet PC buyers are price sensitive: Apple’s iPads are ludicrously overpriced, and many people are starting to realize that. Since tablet PCs are experiencing near vertical growth, buyers are extremely price sensitive. Some tech experts are suggesting that Apple’s hold on the tablet market is extremely tenuous, and that as soon as a legitimate challenger appears on the scene, its market share could crumble. Mary Jo Foley expects Windows 8 tablets to sweep past Android tablets in market share and reduce Apple’s market share to below 50%.

It’s happened before: Back in the early days of the computer world, Apple had a lock on the personal computer. And then Microsoft arrived on the scene. Its PC was more affordable than Apple’s and gave users an interface that was easier to access. Microsoft stole nearly the entire computer market away from Apple, and the two tech giants have been jockeying for position ever since.

Microsoft has a killer app: When you hear the world ‘Microsoft Office’, you don’t necessarily associate it with ‘killer app’. Killer apps are defined as the one must-have program that is only available on a new piece of technology. It can make or break a tablet PC, smartphone, or a gaming system. Some people are labelling Microsoft Office as Windows 8’s killer app. Specifically, Windows 8 tablets that come with the Windows (ARM) RT version of the operating system will have free access to Microsoft Office. In the early days of Microsoft, Office was truly a program that tore market share away from Apple and other tech companies. Could Office pull it off again?

SmartGlass: As we just mentioned above, one cool app can decide the fate of a tablet computer. SmartGlass could be Microsoft’s 2^nd killer app. By linking your tablet computer (SmartGlass actually works on Android, iPads, and Windows tablets) with your Xbox 360, SmartGlass provides a second screen on which you can view information relevant to your TV show. You can also use it as a digital controller and perform all sorts of cool functions with it.

Concrete data: If you think all of these predictions came from some kooky Windows fan-boy, think again. Many of these predictions are based off a recent report by investment giant Morgan Stanley, which predicts that Microsoft has a gorgeous window of opportunity. Check out the Morgan Stanley report here. The 37 page report is backed up by concrete sources and hard data.

Conclusion

Do you think Windows 8 tablets have what it takes to challenge Apple’s market share in the tablet industry? Let us know in the comments! Or, wait a few years to find out for yourself.