Rain Makers

Microsoft Creates Clear Line Between Business and Personal with Windows 8 and Surface

October 18, 2012 , 0 Frank Gurnee

The line between business and personal is becoming more and more blurred. Companies like Apple have figured this out and built products that seamlessly intertwine the two. It seems surprising that Microsoft, a company looking to redefine itself with Windows 8 continues to define a clear line between business and personal.

A good example of this is the latest release of the Microsoft Surface Tablet. The initial release of the product will have the Widows 8 RT version of the OS on the tablet which has limited functionality and will not run all of the programs the full version has.

This may on the surface, pun intended, seem Apple-like considering Apple has OSX for desktops and notebooks and iOS for mobile devices but here are the differences.

Apple has:

OSX – Desktop, Notebook for Consumer or Business use

iOS – All mobile and tablet devices for Consumer of Business use

Microsoft has the following:

Windows 8 – Desktop, Notebook, Tablet for Consumer use

Windows 8 Pro- Desktop, Notebook, Tablet for Business use

Windows 8 Enterprise- Desktop, Notebook, Tablet for Business use

Windows RT- Tablet and future devices for Consumer use

Windows Phone 8 – Mobile Phones

This isn’t even comparing the versions of Microsoft Office, which may limit business use and productivity depending on the version.  The mindset that businesses will pay more and consumers will pay less needs to change, though it would seem that Microsoft continues to overcomplicate a solution that could be so simple.

This is one place where Microsoft could take a lesson from Apple. Discounts are given based on volume, corporate, government, or school affiliations. The big difference is the software is the same for everyone, which streamlines marketing, sales, distribution, and support.

Releasing the intial Surface tablet with RT rather than with full blown Windows 8 version who knows may be a huge mistake for Microsoft. Considering that the people who are pre-ordering and will be getting this release are your typical early adopters and tech-minded individuals who are looking for a productivity tool, not another Internet connecting device. We should expect this to negatively affect reviews and sentiment for the new product.

As consumers continue to blend business and personal use and expect a completely mobile world, Microsoft will need to make some changes to meet the needs of the average user. They are spending huge money on Windows 8 and really want to be seen as a new company in a new era. The problem is; it looks like the same old Microsoft from here.