Windows 8 Touch-Based Tablets Will Reach $200 Price Point

Intel CEO Paul Otellini wants buyers to know that the future will bring with it Windows 8 touch-based devices for the low cost of $200.

Otellini believes that upcoming Windows 8-based devices running his company’s new Bay Trail processor could reach the $200 price point. Otellini notes that the upcoming Atom Micro architecture, which will be released by the end of 2013, will help lower device pricing further while allowing for improved designs and new feature sets at lower costs.

During his company’s quarterly results conference call, Otellini added:

“If you look at touch-enabled Intel-based notebooks that are ultrathin using [Bay Trail] processors. Those prices are going to be down to as low as $200.”

The quad-core 22nm Bay Trail system-on-chip is believed to double computing performance over current tablet processors while providing better on-chip security. An Intel executive in China has claimed that the new Bay Trail processor is the “most powerful Atom processor to date.”

Intel’s new design will allow for devices to sit at just 0.3 inches. The Bay Trail CPU also provides lower power consumption, which will allow devices to sit in standby mode for weeks at a time.

Otellini also says that the company’s Haswell-based ultrabook systems will push the cost of the higher end notebooks to $500.

Microsoft Windows 8 touch-enabled devices have been slow to pick up traction, and a $200 Windows 8 tablet could be just what the tech giant needs to increase seals.

The big question will be whether or not Microsoft is willing to cannibalize sales of its own $500 Windows Surface RT tablet in place of cheaper $200 devices.

Are you ready to switch over from an Apple iPad or Google Android touch-based device to a Windows 8 touch-enabled device that is priced at just $200?