The iPad can run Windows 7, at least virtually, so there’s hope left for Apple yet
The Apple iPad may not be as useless as we all fear it is after all. Because it will be possible to run Windows 7 on one, at least as a virtual desktop.
The first-generation iPad that Steve Jobs so graciously unveiled last week is a huge disappointment. I have no doubt that many of the “issues” will be fixed for a future iteration, but for now the iPad is nothing more than a giant iPod Touch. Or a very expensive paperweight. And if you disagree with that assessment you’re clearly a fully paid-up member of the Apple ‘elite’.
The biggest problem with the iPad – aside from the lack of a camera, Flash support, and USB and SD slots – is its inability to multitask. Multitasking is the very essence of a computer, and it’s surely one of the key elements that Apple needed to include on the iPad to ensure it doesn’t get labeled an over-sized iPod Touch. Which it has, by me and many others.
But there’s no need to panic, as Microsoft could save the day thanks to Windows 7 and its inherent versatility.
According to PC World, Citrix is claiming Windows 7 can be run on an iPad as a virtual desktop. And multitasking will be no problem, with Citrix Vice President Chris Fleck stating:
If your company has XenDesktop or XenApp you will be happy to know you will be able to use your iPad for real work as well. It turns out the 9.7 inch display on the iPad with a 1024×768 screen resolution works great for a full VDI XenDesktop. Windows applications run unmodified and securely in the data center, and even multiple applications at once.
This could be of massive use to a business, who could provide all their staff with iPads, run Windows 7 on a server, and have the iPad merely act as a client for the Microsoft OS. And why not? It’s certainly no good for business users otherwise.
Meanwhile, Microsoft made its first public comment on the iPad on Thursday, with Brandon Watson, the director of product management in the developer platform at Microsoft, telling Technologizer:
It is a humorous world in how Microsoft is much more open than Apple.
Short, sweet, and very to the point.
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January 31st, 2010
“It is a humorous world in how Microsoft is much more open than Apple.”
my thoughts precisely – it always amazes me how apple have managed to avoid the plethora of anticompetitive lawsuits that MS get.
January 31st, 2010
sorry brett, were you just describing apple or MS (seeing as that behaviour applies to both)
February 1st, 2010
and this is a good thing how?
and, Rimmer, for Apple to leverage a monopoly, they would have to have a monopoly, so that description applies only to MS.
February 1st, 2010
Ignoring Brett’s flame-bait, the iPad does not run Win7. It merely runs an RDP (or similar) client to access Win7 on another host. The Treo300 I used several years ago could do that.
Mr. X, Apple has a monopoly on app distribution for iPhone/Touch/Pad devices. They are the sole source of application distribution and the sole arbiter of what is allowed on the device.
February 1st, 2010
@JohnJ
Let me know when Apple has 90% of the tablet market and tries to leverage it the way Microsoft has with its ownership of 90% of the desktop OS market). Then I’ll join you in criticizing Apple.
Until then, I’m sure other companies will offer plenty of tablet alternatives including ones that are more “open” for those who insist on it.
But if the iPad, despite its well-known limitations, manages to gain a large market share, it will be based on the personal choice of individual consumers, not the mandate of corporate IT departments that forced office workers everywhere to standardize on Microsoft technology.
The iPad critics think they know what a personal tablet ought to be: must have a 16:9 display, two cameras, a zillion ports, replaceable batteries, must multitask, use a stylus, … and so on. Well, how come no one has put this mythical omnipotent beast on the market and shown us the way? Tablets so far have failed to catch on.
Maybe, just maybe, Apple understands that what the general public will respond to is bare-bones simplicity rather than overwhelming options.
Running a remote Windows machine via the iPad could be useful for a tiny percentage of users, but it seems like a niche application for a device aimed primarily at non-techies. If tablets are ever endorsed by corporate IT, you can bet they will be a bitch to use and won’t be made by Apple.
February 1st, 2010
“The iPad critics think they know what a personal tablet ought to be: must have a 16:9 display, two cameras, a zillion ports, replaceable batteries, must multitask, use a stylus, … and so on. Well, how come no one has put this mythical omnipotent beast on the market and shown us the way? Tablets so far have failed to catch on.”
that pretty much describes the Archos 9, which is already available, runs windows 7 natively.
February 1st, 2010
@Rimmer
I’ll be curious to see if the world beats a path to the Archos 9. They even have several months head start on the iPad.
But based on these early reviews, I’d say that Apple has little to fear.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/24/archos-9-reviewed-too-big-too-slow-too-starter/
http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/12/archos-9-review/4/
February 2nd, 2010
@Brett: Apple may not steal code but they do steal ideas. http://mac.blorge.com/2010/02/01/amen-mr-shipley-amen/
Apple has 100% control over app distribution to iPhones, iPod Touches, and the forthcoming iPad. That is a monopoly and if you talk to the disgruntled developers you’ll see that they wield that power in arbitrary ways, denying apps for no obvious reason while allow competitor’s apps to be sold. Apple is using it’s monopoly power in ways that can force app developers to go out of business.
FWIW we all know MS has been guilty of plenty of misdeeds as well. I’m just saying that Apple has blood on their hands as well.
Re: Windows market share. Let’s be honest. If the Mac platform had been sufficiently compelling back in the 80s and early 90s, Windows’ market share would not be 90% today. Through the Lisa and early versions of MacOS, Apple had a multi-year head start to take over the GUI OS market while MS floundered around with Windows 1.x and 2. It wasn’t until Windows 3.0 that MS had a version that people could be productive with.
Even with the head start Apple failed to mature their product so that it could grow beyond essentially niche status. That left the door (window?) wide open for MS to evolve Windows into version 3, then Windows for Workgroups 3.11, and eventually Windows 95.
February 2nd, 2010
My jail-broken iPhone will dispute people’s claim to an Apple monopoly…
February 2nd, 2010
Mr X – and how many times have you had to re-jailbreak you ipod because apple have updated their firmware to stop jailbreaks? And what does your warranty say about jailbreaks? You are making your ipod work DESPITE of Apple, not BECAUSE of them.
Brett – that is the difference between good marketing and poor marketing – If archos had the same financial clout and hype and brilliant PR department they you have people queuing around the block. Considering it is the price of the cheapest Ipad it does pretty damn well. Oh and for every negative review there is an equally positive one: http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/hands-on-archos-9-pctablet-review-613148
February 2nd, 2010
I guess I am going to have to state the obvious after all.
Apple does not have a monopoly. If you do not like their app store, you can select a different smart phone. There are plenty open phone systems out there; Android, blackberry. duh!
jailbreaking an iphone is like the easiest thing to do. So easy, one wonders why Apple even bothers…
February 2nd, 2010
I’ll grant that Apple has terrific marketing ability what with the Apple retail stores, catchy ads, and inevitable product placement in TV and movies. But so far, the press and editorial commentary on the iPad has done a good job of outlining the iPad’s limitations and associated controversy.
I’m sure when the iPad becomes available, there will be numerous comparison reviews surveying the various tablets, and you just know that the feature counters who blindly value quantity over quality, as well as people with legitimate needs not addressed by the iPad will gravitate toward and other more versatile devices such as the Archos. I expect there will be healthy completion that benefits everyone as we are currently witnessing with smartPhones.
As with the iPhone, in order to satisfy the greatest number of users, Apple will undoubtedly address some of its initial omissions with future software and hardware revisions. Apple doesn’t just carelessly slap features on. They add them when it is possible to do so while still retaining the simplicity and usability that is their hallmark.
If Apple’s design philosophy doesn’t work for you, than by all means go with other alternatives (or jailbreak). But personally, I’m glad that at least one company offers ordinary people respite from the wild and woolly chaos found elsewhere in geekland.