The consumer preview of Windows 8 has been out long enough for people to get some idea of how using Microsoft’s new operating system on a tablet compares to any iPad, but in particular, the iPad 3. It has its pluses and minuses, like everything else, but overall, those in the know seem to think that, yes, Windows 8 can give the iPad a run for its money.
Karl Volkman, a tech expert at SRV Network, Inc. listed six features that he believes make Windows 8 a contender in its battle with the iPad. As you probably know, Windows 8 is an operating system, and the iPad is a tablet computer. The reason people are making comparisons is because although the Windows 8 operating system can be used on a laptop or desktop computer, it is a better fit and was probably designed for a tablet.
Windows 8 has huge colorful, customizable apps on the start screen where the iPad has apps just like the kind you would see on a smartphone. When comparing the two, Josh from The Verge described the Windows 8 app menu as requiring more gestures to make things happen as opposed to physically touching the screen. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
Now, when it comes to browsers, Internet Explorer 10, which comes as part of the Windows 8 operating system package, wins hands down. Internet Explorer 10 is lightning fast for both opening and closing Web pages.
According to Volkman, Windows 8 can “handle more devices,” which “makes it easier to access multiple files and add-ons in a single domain.” This feature could be very useful for doctors, lawyers and sales professionals in any industry. Also quite handy is the fact that you can view two apps at once with Windows 8, something that can’t be done on an iPad.
When Josh from The Verge demonstrated this, I thought about how helpful it would be to be able to read an email and look at the document referenced in the email message on the same screen. Euphoria. And for those of you with “fat fingers,” Windows 8 allows you to resize the keyboard to make typing easier.
Now, when it comes to doing business, depending on what kind of business you do, using a tablet isn’t a viable option. That’s where Windows 8 really trumps the iPad. Macbooks don’t have apps; however, if you can adapt an Apple computer to work with Windows 7, then chances are, eventually, you’ll be able to do the same thing with Windows 8. Until then, Windows 8 is going to dominate with people who either can’t or don’t want to use a tablet computer but want the convenience of apps on their home screens and the speed of IE 10 when they go online.
So, yes, Windows 8 can compete with the iPad and even win in some arenas. But keep in mind, Windows 8 is still in the testing phase. We won’t really know how much of a contender it is until the full version debuts, presumably, later this year.
