VietNamNet Bridge – Right after Windows 8 was officially launched, technology firms have marketed tablet products using Windows 8 RT, luring users to a new technology tendency.

The world technology product market has been seething with the launching of a series of tablets and tablet hybrids using the Windows 8 operation system-- bearing the brands of Asus, Dell, Acer, HP, Lenovo and Samsung.

HP, for example, has HP Envy x2, Dell has Dell Latitude 10, Microsoft has Surface, while Samsung has marketed Smart PC Pro 700T and Smart PC 500T.

In Vietnam, Acer has launched two Windows 8 running tablets, namely Inconia Tab W700 and W511, while Asus has introduced Asus Vivo Tab. Though the official retail prices have not been set, distributors believe that the products are priced at over 600 dollars.

Some enterprises have been agile enough to bring Windows 8 tablets to Vietnam. Surface of Microsoft running on Windows 8 RT has not been distributed on the domestic market through official channels, but it has been put on the shelves of private shops. Analysts believe that the products were carried across the border gate by the people entering Vietnam.

Cellphones and Surface Shops in Hanoi are now selling the products at 16.5 million dong for the 32 GB version and 18.5 million dong for the 64 GB version.

Technologists have said that the outstanding feature of tablets and table hybrids running on Windows 8 RT, is that it allows handling with a diverse range of entertainment and working needs familiar to Vietnamese users who have been working on the Windows environment. Meanwhile, the products still can ensure the advantages of a tablet with touch screen.

Nguyen Minh Son, Product and IT Solution Director of Samsung Vina, said the company is integrating Windows 8 into a series of its products such as Smart PC pro, All in One PC, Series 5 Ultra touch.

Son went on to say that with the great advantages, the tablets running on Windows 8 Pro or on Windows 8 RT would trigger a new usage tendency. Samsung plans to introduce more tablet models using the operation systems into the market.

Talking about the opportunities of Windows 8 with touch-screen computers and tablets, a senior executive of HP Vietnam Irving Oh, has also noted that with the high capability of handling data and exchanging information, the PCs and tablets running on Windows 8 would be able to develop strongly in the Vietnamese market.

Vu Minh Tri, CEO of Microsoft Vietnam, also said that in the long term, Windows 8 allows users enjoying tablet apps, while no features existing on traditional devices (desktop computers, laptops) have been removed. One just needs to press a key to see the tablet’s interface resuming the interface of a normal computer.

“We keep optimistic about the prospects and the future of tablet products running on Windows 8,” Tri said.

Microsoft is now working out with OEMs (original equipment manufacturer) to ensure that clients would have many choices in the market.

Trinh Khac Toan, a senior executive of Microsoft Vietnam, in charge of Windows products, said the software giant is cooperating with 11 hardware manufacturers in the world to discuss necessary measures in order to bring tablets to Vietnam to distribute in the domestic market through official channels.

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