Intel Corp (INTC)

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It is true that comparing Core M against Snapdragon 800 doesn't make much sense from a market segment perspective though.

I disagree. I think it speaks to the experience of the device. Someone walks into Best Buy; do they leave with a Galaxy Tab S w/ 32GB for $549? Or do they buy a 2-in-1 with Core M?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-galaxy-tab-s-10-5-32gb/7093009.p;jsessionid=8183C4C42D87FF57BE368C02DAAE8DB0.bbolsp-app01-147?id=1219250430282&skuId=7093009&st=galaxy%20tab%20s&cp=1&lp=1

I suppose it depends on the cost and features of the Core M design, but strictly speaking of the market, Apple and Samsung have carved out some volumes for premium tablets, but just think about the usage for these devices? What needs the performance most? Android or iOS apps, or productivity (Windows) apps?

I think Intel is right to point out that they can provide double or triple the performance of an ARM based "premium tablet", and offer an experience that extends into productivity scenarios.

It's a credible argument. We'll have to see first if system design is good enough. Ivy Bridge and Haswell 2-in-1 systems had the general "shape" down correctly. That is, they were rectangular, thin, had a touchscreen, etc. However, they were also heavy, offered less battery life, and Windows 8 certainly had interface issues with a lot of people.

I'm not saying Windows 9 will solve it, but Windows 8.1 with the service pack is not at all that bad. I use it all the time. So I think if Microsoft heads in the right direction, they have an opportunity to nail it - which would work out well for Intel's business model, since people pay more for Windows machines than they do for Android machines.