Weekly Review: iPad Mini, Windows 8 Arrive, Google Event Imminent

The PC industry has been busy lately; first came the unveiling of Apple’s newest iPad and Mac lineup, followed by the release of Microsoft’s Windows 8. Not to be left out, Google is likely to introduce a new tablet, smartphone, and operating system at an event in the near future.

The event that garnered the most attention last week was the unveiling of Apple’s highly anticipated iPad mini. Although the 7-inch display is not an industry first, Apple products are always highly discussed, from specs to price. TrendForce estimates iPad mini sales at 6 million units by the end of the year, a relatively low figure based on the iPad’s market dominance; Apple’s component supply and price issues contribute to the smaller sales forecast.

The iPad mini’s starting price of US$329 has been a focus of discussions about the device. Although Apple has defended the decision by stating the iPad mini is a condensed, not shrunken, version of its big brother, it is undeniable that pricing is on the high side. TrendForce believes it is not unlikely that the iPad mini will see a price adjustment in the future. Regardless, consumer acceptance for the new device is generally high; as soon as Apple began taking pre-orders on October 26, shipping estimates displayed on the Apple store website were pushed back. Looks like iPad mini supply is short, likely due to the fact that Apple incorporated new display technology in its latest product.

As Apple fever continues to burn, the Apple-Samsung rivalry has not died down either. Apple has currently won a preliminary victory in the manufacturers’ patent battle at the U.S. International Trade Commission. Market rumors indicate Samsung is gradually removing itself from Apple’s display supply chain, but the Korean maker immediately denied any such claims.

As for Microsoft, the release of Windows 8 on October 26 brings a new platform to smartphones, tablets, and PCs with three versions of the OS: Windows Phone, Windows RT, and Windows 8. Although Microsoft is hard at work promoting its new OS, the different versions have caused some confusion amongst consumers and channel vendors alike. Time will tell whether this will have a negative effect on Windows 8 sales.

Lastly, Google’s event, originally set to take place this week, has been postponed due to Hurricane Sandy in the U.S. However, it will likely be rescheduled as soon as possible, and several product unveilings are expected. Undeniably, the smartphone battle is heating up as all three major platforms release new products.