Microsoft's new ally: Academia

Posted by The Vergil on December 15, 2012 03:27 pm 9

Academia is popularly thought to be Apple's stronghold. Microsoft is well-positioned to (re)capture this market.

• Microsoft Research is a peerless industrial research institution, focused on pure academic research. In fact, for some period of time, it was considered better than even the best universities. Google Research is, with very few exceptions, integrated with product teams. Apple R&D is pathetic, and none of it is academic.
• Windows 8-based hybrid devices are great for students. Windows 8 hybrids allow you to take proper notes with an active digitizer, view source material while typing an essay (multitasking), and are cheaper than a tablet + laptop. Teenagers are much more forgiving of interfaces that might confuse or irritate older people. Apple's devices are great, but they're expensive and don't attend to those specific needs.