Using mobile devices in the defensive crowded computer manufacturers are planning the counter-offensive, above all against the iPad. The weapons of the PC builders: Lower prices and less energy consumption.
The companies in the industry meeting this week on the big Computex computer show in Taiwan. The industry wants to win back the money from consumers, where they copied features of smartphones and tablets(
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In a concerted action, the manufacturers are planning to offer significantly cheaper laptops that can be operated through touch screen as tablets. It is expected that the prices of the devices this year fall by up to 50 percent. It is also expected that the PC makers start offering thinner and cheaper "two-in-one" hybrid, the screens can be rotated or are removable, so they can be used both as a traditional laptop or as a tablet.
The PC maker also venture a new start for a new set of separate tablets(
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Particularly strong for the restart advertise Microsoft and Intel, the duo that has dominated the PC era, and whose growth has been hampered by the rise of mobile devices, because the operating system and hardware come mainly from competitors.
"It is a fact that the ecosystem needs to reinvent," Kavin said Turner, Microsoft Chief Operating Officer at an investor conference last week.
Huge discounts from Microsoft
Microsoft recently began trying to provide manufacturers of small portable computers and tablets(
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One goal of the Microsoft program is to lower the entry price of laptops with touch screen U.S. $ 300 (about 230 euros), which cost in the U.S. today typically $ 700 (about 540 euros) and more. Windows tablet with a screen with 8-inch diagonal or less it should even be from 200 dollars (150 euros), said the insider.
The Taiwanese manufacturer Acer used the trade show to introduce new products in the run - including the Iconia W3. It's according to Acer's first 8-inch tablet on the Microsoft Windows operating system running eighth List price is 379 dollars (291 euro) without value added tax. The price includes a pre-installed version of Microsoft Office. Asus, another Taiwanese PC manufacturer, introduced at Computex also own mobile handset.
Another measure of the PC industry, new processors from Intel and AMD, including new energy saving models that will enable devices to enable the operation of hybrid laptops and mobile devices through a whole day without recharging. It has long been common for tablets.
These developments are just the latest sign of the violent upheaval the competition from companies such as Apple and Samsung has raised its sales have soared by smartphones and tablets, while the PC market has cooled. The categories of equipment change, and companies are trying aggressively push forward into new niches.
Intel plans in the mobile world
"For us, it is imperative that we move in the direction of Detachables, hybrids, tablets, 'phablets' and smartphones," said Gregory Bryant, vice-president of Intel's Asia-Pacific region. As phablets particularly large smartphones are referred to, a mix of smartphone and tablet. "You'll hear more about it at Computex," Bryant added. The trade fair will be held from Tuesday to Thursday.
Currently, the competitors have some important advantages. Many manufacturers of mobile devices use a combination of Google's free Android operating system and processors from a number of companies who license the chip design of the UK-based ARM Holdings. Some of the chips are priced closer to $ 10 in shopping than the $ 100 that Intel has required a long time for typical processors.
"Because there are a number of manufacturers, the competition is much greater," said James Bruce, who is in charge of the mobile strategy, ARM. "They are a lot more innovation and more clearly seen than traditional devices on the laptop market."
Companies like Amazon are already offering small tablets with ARM chips for less than 200 euros. Samsung's ARM-based Chromebook laptop is cheaper than most laptops running Windows with a starting price of 300 Euros. Other manufacturers - including Acer - show at Computex PC with Android.
Microsoft has a two pronged
The pressure has long-standing partner of Intel driven to hedge their bet on the Intel architecture. Intel partners Microsoft has already released a version of RT-called Windows 8, which runs on tablets with ARM chip.
Previously, the system support but besides Microsoft's own tablet called Surface few hardware manufacturers. "We are still optimistic about RT," says Anand Chandrasekher, chief marketing officer of the U.S. company Qualcomm, a major ARM chip suppliers. "The lies, I believe, still in its infancy."
Intel, meanwhile, has stepped up its efforts to accommodate their own chips in devices running Google's Android system is running.
Samsung, which manufactures chips for ARM-based tablets and smartphones, is in the latest series of Galaxy Tab tablets 3 on Intel's Atom chip, said a person familiar with the process. This development has recently been reported by a number of media outlets, including the blog VentureBeat. Samsung declined to comment.
At Computex, Intel introduced the new generation Haswell chip at the center - the code name for the recent strong overhaul of the flagship series of their own processors. Of Haswell chips is expected to reduce power consumption by 50 percent. Hardware manufacturers are preparing thinner and cheaper hybrid devices, where a Haswell chip works. The units are to be sold under the brand Ultrabook - a name which is ever associated with high-priced light laptops.
New Intel Atom series is intended to promote Windows 8
Another important thrust of Intel's Bay Trail. Thus, the company calls the update of affordable, low-power Atom processor series. It is expected that it will be launched during the year.
This chip and an AMD processor called Temash, aim together with discounts from Microsoft on increasing the number of tablets and laptops that can use the touch operation of Windows 8 sold, said insiders.
Asus, which Vivotab Smart is one of the cheapest large Windows tablets, plans to release other devices with Windows 8 - including tablet laptop hybrid - at Computex.
Acer has reduced the starting price of laptops with touch already with the series Aspire V5, in the AMD chip Temash is installed. The device can be bought from 400 euros in Germany.
"The number of devices with touchscreen and Windows 8 has doubled from the first to the second quarter," said Acer CEO JT Wang in May. "The growth curve is facing up."
