Reuters: Technology News: Microsoft set to unveil Windows 8, Surface tablet

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Microsoft set to unveil Windows 8, Surface tablet Oct 25th 2012, 15:29 Tweet Share this Email Print Related News Windows 8 recasts PC industry: CEO Ballmer 11:15am EDT Windows 8 recasts PC industry 10:22am EDT EU warns Microsoft over new Windows 8 browser option Wed, Oct 24 2012 iPad mini won't upset low-end market: analysts Wed, Oct 24 2012 Apple unwraps mini-iPad to take on Amazon, Google Wed, Oct 24 2012 Analysis & Opinion Apple in miniature Motorola loses bid to reshape crucial trial on essential patents Related Topics Investing Simplified » Tech » iPad » 1 of 2. A guest arrives at the launch event for Microsoft Windows 8 operating system in New York, October 25, 2012. Credit: Reuters/Lucas Jackson By Nicola Leske NEW YORK | Thu Oct 25, 2012 11:29am EDT NEW YORK (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp launches its new Windows 8 operating system and Surface tablet in New York Thursday, hoping to revive interest in its flagship product and regain ground lost to Apple Inc and Google Inc in mobile computing. "We've reimagined Windows and we've reimagined the whole PC industry," Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer told Reuters Television early Thursday ahead of the launch. Windows 8 devices and the company's new Surface tablet, which aims to challenge Apple's popular iPad head on, go on sale at midnight. Early reviews of the Surface tablet have been mixed, with praise for its slick hardware, but concerns about battery life and limited software and applications available. The new design of Windows, which dispenses with the Start button and features square tiles for apps, may shock some users. Initial demand appears solid, but customers are wary. "We've seen steady pre-order sales on Windows 8 devices from early adopters," said Merle McIntosh, senior vice president of product management at online electronics retailer Newegg. "However, we expect that most average consumers are waiting until after launch to make a purchase decision." Investors are uncertain about the prospects for success of Windows 8, but many feel a solid launch could help Microsoft's stock, which has languished between $20 and $30 for much of the last decade. Apple's shares have significantly outperformed Microsoft's over the past 10 years, and its market value is now more than double Microsoft's. Microsoft shares were unchanged in early trading on Nasdaq at $27.92; Apple was steady at $615.55. "This really is about debunking the notion that Microsoft is a dinosaur and they are relevant in a new climate of tablets and mobile," said Todd Lowenstein, portfolio manager at HighMark Capital Management, which holds Microsoft shares. "Extreme pessimism and almost utter failure is priced into the shares, so any kind of positive delivery on units, customer perception, would be really beneficial to the stock." (Writing by Bill Rigby in Seattle; Editing by Bernadette Baum) Related Quotes and News Company Price Related News Tweet this Link this Share this Digg this Email Reprints We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/ Comments (0) Be the first to comment on reuters.com. Add yours using the box above.

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