Apple has a reputation for bringing in innovative end user products and features, and already has their iPhone and iPod Touch as touch products. While an apple tablet would prove the culmination of a great deal of hype, I think much of the bang would be taken out from their two previous touch products.

Microsoft on the other hand lacks this reputation, and people generally expect one of two things from them – competent and functional, or flop – and ‘functional’ has never much included ‘flash’ in Microsoft. If Microsoft manages to get this product out, and do it right (especially on time), it really will be immense.