A war is raging in the tablet industry. With Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Nexus 7 selling out at the Google Play store and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) to release its Surface tablets, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is now facing pressure in an industry it has dominated for years. But, out of the three tablets which one will come out on top?
Let's take a look at the side by side comparisons.
Surface for Windows RT | Surface for Windows 8 Pro | Google Nexus 7 | iPad (3rdGeneration) | |
Processor | NVIDIA Tegra-based ARM | Intel Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) | Quad-core Tegra 3 processor | Apple A5X |
Weight | 676 grams | 903 grams | 340 grams | 650 grams |
Thickness | 9.3 millimeters | 13.5 millimeters | 10.45 mm | 9.4 mm |
Display | 10.6-inch ClearType HD (1366 x 768) | 10.6-inch ClearType Full HD (1920x1080) | 7" 1280x800 HD IPS display | 9.7-inch Retina Display (2048×1536) |
Software | Windows RT and Office Home & Student 2013 RT | Windows 8 Pro | Android 4.1 | iOS 5 |
Connectivity | 2×2 MIMO Wi-Fi | 2×2 MIMO Wi-Fi | WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Capacity | 32GB or 64GB | 64GB or 128GB | 8GB or 16GB | 16, 32, or 64GB |
Accessories | Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand | Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand, Pen with Palm Block | N/A | N/A |
Ports | microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video | microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort | Micro USB | N/A |
Price | TBD | TBD | $199, $249 | From $499 |
Sources: Engadget.com, Play.Google.com, Apple.com
1. Hardware
To compare the hardware specs of each of these four tablets wouldn't necessarily be fair as the Google Nexus 7 is priced substantially lower than the iPad and the Surface tablets (rumored to be around the same price point as the iPad). It is worth mentioning, however, that the most significant difference between Google Nexus 7 and the other tablets is its 7" screen which captures its own niche. Between the latter three tablets, the iPad beats the Surface tablets in screen resolution and connectivity, as the Surface tablets do not have 4G LTE connectivity. Otherwise, it is a toss-up between Apple's A5X and NVIDIA's (NASDAQ:NVDA) Tegra-based ARM chip depending on the benchmark, and the Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) Core i5 handily beats both processors. Arguably, the biggest hardware breakthrough of Microsoft's release is the included touch cover keyboard built into its case, helping to bridge the user ability gap between the tablet and laptop.
2. Software
The software of the Google Nexus 7 which runs Android 4.1 is most similar to the iPad which runs iOS 5 because they both more or less run smartphone OSes. The better of the two comes down to the Android vs. iOs debate which I won't get into. The Windows 8/RT operating system is markedly different from iOS 5 and Android as it is more geared to enterprise/work applications with its Microsoft Office support and built-in keyboard. On the other hand, Windows 8/RT lacks the vast and developed app market that Apple and Google boasts making it less appealing to the casual tablet user.
Bottom-Line
Microsoft and Google are latecomers in a brutal industry that has already taken casualties (Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HPQ), Research In Motion Limited(NASDAQ:RIMM). But, perhaps, they have learned a thing or two from the mistakes of those that came before it. Instead of taking Apple head on, each has decided to target its own specific niche within the tablet industry.
With its Windows 8/RT operating systems, Office Suite and built-in keyboard, the Microsoft Surface has bridged the gap between laptop and tablet, appealing to users who seek the full functionality of a laptop rather than a smartphone in a tablet. Google, on the other hand, targeted the market for 7" tablets and enticed consumers with a significantly lower price point than the iPad. What does this mean for investors? Microsoft and Google should be able to take away market share in the tablet industry from Apple.
Disclosure: Active investor; both long and short on AAPL; long on MSFT.
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