HP Is Just Fine With Microsoft’s Surface Tablet, Thank You
If Microsoft’s decision to enter the PC hardware market with its own Surface tablet has caused Hewlett-Packard any anxiety, the PC-maker isn’t letting on.
While some PC manufacturers, like Acer, have bemoaned Microsoft’s Surface initiative in the press, even going so far as to call upon Redmond to “think twice” about entering the hardware business, HP seems largely unfazed by it. Indeed, it seems to have accepted Microsoft’s assertion that Surface is simply a “design point.” According to John Solomon, senior vice president of HP’s Americas printing and personal systems division, the company applauds Microsoft for taking the lead with Windows 8 tablets.
“I believe Microsoft was basically making a leadership statement and showing what’s possible in the tablet space,” Solomon told CRN. “Our relationship has not changed at all due to Microsoft’s announcement. In fact, I applaud it — I think it’s great that they are getting out in front and [demonstrating] what’s possible.”
So, unlike Acer, HP isn’t worried about Microsoft coming between it and its PC customers. But then, HP seems to think it has an advantage or two it can bring to bear in the tablet market that will differentiate its offerings from those of its rivals.
Said Solomon, “We will be very focused on the commercial tablet opportunity, which is completely under-penetrated. And, we have some unique intellectual property that we’re going to apply.”