Asus CEO 'very optimistic' about Windows 8 tablets
The company's chief executive says that he believes Windows 8 tablets will be priced below $300, making them more affordable to customers.
Look for Windows 8 tablets to have a strong year, says Asus CEO Jerry Shen.
Speaking to the Wall Street Journal in an interview published today, Shen said that his company is "very optimistic about sales for Windows 8 tablets this year," adding that he believes Microsoft's support for 7-inch slates will be the central move in the platform's success.
Windows 8-based tablets currently measure 10 inches or more in size. Microsoft and its fellow tablet makers reportedly are planning to launch 7-inch slates later this year that can still run the company's Windows platform. That smaller form factor will allow companies like Asus and others to compete more effectively on price, according to Shen. In fact, he envisions Windows 8 tablet prices falling below $300 later this year.
Asus is one of several vendors that have decided to try their luck on Windows for tablets. The company also sells tablets running Android.
Earlier on Monday, Asus announced that it sold 3 million tablets during the first three months of 2013. The company didn't break down those sales by platform.