Acer: Microsoft Surface will fail in fight with Apple

It looks as though Microsoft has annoyed some of its chums by launching its own Windows 8 tablet, Surface.

Oliver Ahrens, Acer's senior VP and president for Europe, Middle East and Africa, told Reuters that Microsoft doesn't stand a chance in taking on Apple. A case of sour grapes? Or has he got a point?

"I don't think it will be successful because you cannot be a hardware player with two products," Ahrens said. "Microsoft is working with two dozen PC vendors worldwide, including the local guys, whereas Apple is alone, it can more or less do what it wants.

"Microsoft is a component of a PC system. A very important component but still a component."

Microsoft surprised its partners by launching its Surface Windows 8 tablet this week. Some are understandably irked, seeing as Microsoft is effectively competing with them, while still expecting them to make devices supporting its operating system.

Ahrens went on: "Instead of enhancing the user experience for Win 8... they open a new battlefield. I worry that this will lead into a defocus internally for Microsoft, and then we have to suffer because we are working with their products."

But it won't stop Acer from supporting Windows 8. Ahrens said the operating system was "extremely important" for Acer, and that the Taiwanese company would have four or five devices supporting it at launch. These will include tablets and an ultrabook. Earlier this month Acer unveiled Windows 8-powered laptops, tablets and desktops.

Acer founder Stan Shih, however, reckons Microsoft is up to something else. Previously, he said Microsoft will use its tablet to generate hype and increase demand, convincing more partners to produce Windows 8 tablets. Then Microsoft will withdraw from the market, presumably saying, "Our work here is done."

Who do you reckon is right? Is Microsoft fighting a losing battle against Apple? Let me know in the comments below, or on our Facebook page.