Microsoft Bets Big on Tablets in India With New Budget Offerings

Advertisement
By Press Trust of India | Updated: 3 October 2014 10:45 IST
Software giant Microsoft is placing big bets on tablets to drive adoption of its Windows 8.1 platform on smart devices in the country.

The US-based firm, which acquired devices and services business of Nokia earlier this year, expects Windows-powered tablets to do especially well in segments like educational institutions and small and medium businesses (SMBs).

"Previously, there were devices that were launched at extremely low prices but failed to deliver quality experience.

The devices that are coming now offer much better experience and we are confident that Windows platform will do well," Microsoft India Director (Windows Business Group) Vineet Durani told PTI.

Advertisement

He added that with different devices makers launching Windows-powered tablets at various price points, consumers will have more options to choose from.

"Tablets are both a productivity and an entertainment device. It has the mobility of a smartphone and lets you create content as you would on a PC. PC penetration is still low in India, but tablets can help bridge that gap," he said.

Talking about the segments that Microsoft is targeting, Durani said a lot of growth for Windows platform (on tablets) will come from educational institutions and SMEs.

Advertisement

He added that with prices falling to as low as Rs. 8,000 (for Windows-based tabs) by year-end, the market will continue to expand.

According to industry body MAIT, tablet PC witnessed a muted growth of 76 percent in 2013-14 compared to triple digit growth in the last two years as fewer entry-level models were introduced.

Advertisement

The sales for 2013-14 stood at 3.35 million units as against 1.9 million units in 2012-13.

MAIT expects the segment to grow only by about 27 percent in FY 2014-15 as consumers opt for more higher screen sized smartphones.

Advertisement

However, players like Microsoft and chip maker Intel are confident of a revival in demand and sales of tablets (devices with screen sizes above 6.99 inches), driven by new form factors like 2-in-1s.

Besides homegrown players, many multinational firms like Samsung, Lenovo and Asus have launched tablets in the last few months to cash in on the opportunity.

According to CyberMedia Research, over 7.46 lakh tablets were sold in the January-March 2014 quarter by as many as 30 domestic and international vendors. Samsung, Apple and Datawind were the top three players.

(Also see: Low-cost tablets drive sales in India to 4.14 million in 2013: IDC)

 

Catch the latest from the Consumer Electronics Show on Gadgets 360, at our CES 2026 hub.

Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. AGS 28 OTT Release: Know Where to Watch The Arjun, Abhirami-Starrer
  2. Ustaad Bhagat Singh OTT Release: When, Where to Watch the Telugu Action Drama
  3. Hackers Steal Hundreds of Gigabytes of Data from European Space Agency
  1. NASA Confirms Expedition 74 Will Continue ISS Work After Crew-11 Exit
  2. European Space Agency Hit by Cyberattacks, Hundreds of Gigabytes of Data Stolen by Hackers
  3. Ustaad Bhagat Singh OTT Release: When, Where to Watch Harish Shankar's Telugu Action Drama Film
  4. Bha Bha Ba is Now Streaming: All You Need to Know About This Malayalam Comedy Thriller Film
  5. World’s Biggest Alien Search Enters Final Stage With 100 Mystery Signals
  6. NASA Pulls Out Artemis II Rocket to Launch Pad Ahead of Historic Moon Mission
  7. Shambhala OTT Release: When, Where to Watch the Telugu Supernatural Horror Film
  8. AGS 28 OTT Release: Know Where to Watch This Tamil Entertainer Starring Arjun, Abhirami
  9. Avatar: Fire and Ash OTT Release: When, Where to Watch James Cameron’s Epic Sci-Fi Fantasy
  10. OpenAI to Begin Testing Ads in ChatGPT, Says Responses Will Not Be Influenced
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.