Microsoft's Surface Tablets Raise the Bar for PC Pals - Businessweek

I suppose there's an implicit argument that the opportunity costs, in terms of PC ecosystem impact, are likely to be relatively low, if hardware partner Windows 8 tablet/hybrid sales were otherwise destined to be as lackluster as Tablet PC sales, but it's still a radical Microsoft strategy change.  One take-away, for now: I expect Windows 7 laptop sales are going to plummet, as people go into Surface wait-and-see mode.

"As it does with the Xbox, Microsoft has opted to make the Surface tablets—both hardware and software—on its own. This stands as a huge affront to Microsoft’s longtime PC partners. Making matters worse, the Surface products look far better than anything else the PC makers have shown to date on the tablet front. Even Apple (AAPL) has been put on notice, if the hoots and hollers from the event were any indication.
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The keyboard/cover combo is a fantastic idea that immediately makes you question future laptop purchases. That’s yet a further blow against Microsoft’s PC buddies. When Windows 8 launches this fall, Microsoft will sell the tablets through its own online and retail stores and nowhere else. The company declined to reveal pricing details at the June 18 event."

Microsoft's Surface Tablets Raise the Bar for PC Pals - Businessweek