Stores Selling Windows 7 Professional

While rival company Apple may have beat Microsoft to the initial launch, the computing giant of the  '90s has plans to  strike back in a market where they have been hurting: personal electronics. The iPad, hailed as a computing revolution by bringing portable touchscreen technology to a new development point, has been the target of a serious amount of flack from hardcore computer users.Specifically, Apple's imposed limitations on the abilities of the iPad have made many customers frustrated, with the lack of third party applications and no way for the device to multitask programs. Combined with recent misgivings about the Apple iPhone 4, the proverbial iron seems hot for Microsoft to strike. In today's news story, the giant did just that, announcing a line of tablet PCs with the potential to cut into Apple's market share.While Microsoft will not be involved in the manufacturing of the hardware, they have, according to Chief Executive Steve Ballmer, arranged deals with a number of hardware developers to bring specially-tailored Windows 7 tablets to the market by the holiday season of 2010. Ballmer stated in an interview that the selection of gadgets would be quite intriguing to the customers, and that Windows 7 would be prepped to run efficiently on the slate computers. Apple has sold roughlythree million iPads, and developers such as Dell, Toshiba, Sony, and Asus are poised to bring both Windows and Android-running slates to market. Ballmer, however, feels that the Windows machines will have a clear boost over Android tablets. While not speaking on the matter explicitly, he touted the ease with which PC owners would be able to adapt to the Windows 7 platform.According to an article on "The Daily Telegraph," Ballmer's press conference showed signs of a hip re-working of Microsoft's image, something that could potentially cut into Apple's place in the market.Microsoft is keen not lose out to Apple in the portable computing market. Ballmer acknowledged that Microsoft had already failed to keep pace with the likes of Apple and Google in the mobile phone space, and that its Windows Mobile operating system had “missed a generation” in terms of its features and functionality. Ballmer said that would be rectified with the launch of the first Windows Phone 7 handsets later this year. "I think we will give you a set of Windows-based devices people will be proud to carry,” he told delegates.This announcement could certainly work in Microsoft's favor. One of the main complaints with Apple products has been their lack of interactivity with third party development. Microsoft essentially built their computing empire on the back of this type of ploy, so it's possible a Windows 7 Slate computer could be a serious challenger to Apple. Also possible is the development of tablet computer specially designed for either casual or hardcore computer users: not everyone needs a full featured slate tablet for their computing use. While it might not be til later this year, the onset of tablet computers could drastically change computing habits. Look for Microsoft to make a legitimate challenge on Apple's turf come this holiday season. ... more