Microsoft presented the minimum system requirements for tablets running on the Windows 8 operating system.
For the Metro interface to work properly a tablet should have a minimum resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels and touch interface with support for a minimum number of 5 simultaneous contact points.
PCs and tablets based on Windows 8 should offer five hardware buttons, to work with the Power, Rotation Lock, Windows key, and a button to adjust the volume. Also, without a PC keyboard the CTRL + ALT + DEL feature is replaced by Windows + Power key combination.
Hardware wise, all Windows 8 tablets should use a firmware compatible with UEFI specifications. The list of requirements should include at least one WiFi interface, Bluetooth 3.0 support and a 720p camera, USB 2.0 connector, speakers, magnetometer, accelerometer ad a gyroscope.
Imposing strict hardware requirements, Microsoft is trying to offer users a convincing experience on all Windows 8 tablets, regardless if the tablet is a high end product or a budget tablet from a less famous manufacturer. Unfortunately, this strategy, although required to ensure competitiveness with top tablets like the iPad, risks blocking the entry of Windows 8 tablets on the budget tablets segment of the market, dominated right now by Android tablets.
We all know that Intel chipset versions of Windows 8 tablets will not come cheap, even in basic configuration, and the only hope for low budget users is the ARM architecture Windows 8 tablets, which are cheaper.Regarding the minimum system requirements announced by Microsoft is is hard to believe that the price of the necessary hardware for Windows 8 tablets will be cheap enough to survive on a market dominated by iPad or Android tablets.