Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has been working hard to try to get its Windows 8 operating system and its new Surface RT tablet computer to make dents in their respective markets, with relatively little success at this point. Instead, there has been some buzz about Windows 8 Professional and the Surface Pro tablet making their debuts, and there are now several reports suggesting that the wait for both of these items is down to mere days rather than weeks or months.
While Windows 8 and the Surface RT tablet were both released in late October, there was a mention at the time that the upgraded Pro version of the OS and tablet would be out about three months afterward. And there are now several reports circulating, according to this story, that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) – which is sitting out the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week – will be launching its Pro versions somewhere around January 26, though the specific date is not known at this point.
While it is interesting that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) will not have a presence at CES this year – usually, CEO Steve Ballmer is the keynote speaker at this event – Microsoft will be the talk of the show. Actually, Windows 8 in specific will be a noteworthy theme of the show, as app development has been ramping up, and there has been talk of several new tablets coming out that would feature Windows 8 as the OS. Among the noteworthy products being talked about is a Lenovo “coffee table PC,” a giant 27-inch tablet that can lay flat on a table and can be accessed by 10 fingers at once and four people can sit around it.
With such a highly anticipated launch coming, should we wonder why Microsoft is not at CES this week?
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has been trying to expand its distribution channels for its new tablet, working with retailers like Best Buy to get the tablets on more store shelves. Whether this relationship will include the new professional version is as of yet unclear, but several sources are quoted as saying they are preparing for a Surface Pro launch in late January.
Based on what is happening at CES, it seems that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) didn’t have to spend the money it usually does to set up its massive product pavilion – because so many companies will be at the show, displaying their latest gadgets, innovations, services and peripherals that are all pretty much designed for use with the Windows 8 operating system. In other words, why spend all the money to promote your products, when many of your partners will be doing it for you?
As the trading week started Monday morning, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) stock was being offered at $26.74 a share.
What are your thoughts about Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) skipping CES just before launching Windows 8 Professional? Do you think the show can serve as a new launch point for Windows 8 after a lackluster start? Give us your thoughts about the OS, the tablet, the company or the stock and CES this week.
See these related MSFT articles:
