What I want in my future Windows 8 tablet

I’ve been banging on about future Windows 8 slate devices long enough that I have decided to put my chips down. This post is a description of what I want. If you are an OEM, make my day. Our own Matthew Panzarino has some brilliant thoughts on this very topic; if you need a bit more on what I’m starting to call the ‘tablet conundrum,’ head that way and get educated.

Here’s what I want: Microsoft to build tablet, along the lines that I am about to state. I can’t say who agrees exactly, but I can say that I am not alone in this opinion. But Microsoft isn’t going to, so let’s move on to what I want other companies to create.

Hardware

A nice, wide-angle screen is required. Nothing Retina level, anything on par with the iPad 2 will do. I don’t need a screaming processor either, Windows 8 is designed to be run lean. Given that SkyDrive is going to be holding my digital goodies, I only need about 16 gigabytes of storage. I’ll take more, but with prices in mind, space isn’t very high on my list.

I’ll need a camera in the back, and hopefully one in the front as well. Microsoft bought Skype, so I’m anticipating some serious integration. I’d like to show off my face. RAM? Windows 8 doesn’t need much, but some apps do, so two gigabytes would be great. If needed, I could probably swing with a single stick, but more here is better.

Let’s talk batteries. I want a good one. Nothing great, I don’t need 10 hours, but 6 is a good figure. Again, I’m not asking for the world, I want this thing to be unfancy. Why? Because of this next point: thin and light. I’d like my future Windows 8 tablet to be both of those things.

That’s really it. I don’t care about color, or anything like that. Thin, light, decently powered, and with a functional screen is all I need. I’m simple.

Software

One large helping of Windows 8 please. Microsoft, do not force me to use Windows 8 Home Premium Tablet Edition. Just Windows 8 for me, thanks.

Price

This is why I am willing to sit about and use non-prime hardware: I like low prices. Not only am I a cheap bastard, but Apple has just changed the entire pricing scheme of the tablet market by pricing the iPad 2 at $399. That means that any tablet that wants to compete with Apple, who is the tablet market, has to rock a four hundred dollar tag.

I doubt that most OEMs can shift units at that price point without skimping. Thank the stars that Microsoft built Windows 8 to run on lower specs than Windows 7, it’s going to save Samsung et al.

I actually want one more thing: a slightly more expensive, drop dead sexy tablet to be built. A halo device, if you will. Something that people can gawk at and enjoy. But mostly I want a working man’s tablet: cheap, workable, and steady. Something that doesn’t creak when I bend it. Something that I can toss around.

Let’s see if we get what we want. I’m worried.