That, however, doesn't detract from the fact that it wasn't well received from people and that sales have been somewhat limited. Indeed, Acer have been very vocal about their criticism of the Windows 8 and RT Operating Systems from Microsoft, but today it's time for Toshiba to step forward and offer their opinions.
The comments today are from Toshiba's Mark Whittard who's the director of the company's Australian arm. In an interview with The Australian Whittard explained how it was difficult simultaneously marketing Windows 8 and Windows RT and he believes it confused some customers, he said:
"I think one of the challenges is, there was a lot of confusion with Windows 8, my personal view is that they (Microsoft) confused the market with a couple of different flavors."Whittard also mentioned how customers weren't expecting to have to shell out for apps on Windows RT because they were expecting that platform to support the same apps as full Windows 8. On top of that cost Whittard explains that people were used to Windows 7 computers having prices between $399 and $599, but when Windows 8 landed devices were going on sale at $699 for entry level hardware and that put consumers off, especially as Windows 7 laptop priced plunged as companies looked to clear their Windows 7-powered inventory.
The same price complain was lodged against touch-based devices which Toshiba considered the premium to have been a bit excessive on. The Australian quotes Whittard as saying that the RRP on devices was not $100, but it was more like $400, which led customers to say: 'Hang on a sec, that's starting to get unpalatable, that price differential, and I'm not sure about this Windows 8 thing.'
Despite these criticisms, Whittard believes have been mostly eliminated now and Toshiba will have a new range of Windows 8 devices this year with both touch, like the Kirabook pictured above, and non-touch displays!
Via CNet.