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Microsoft Launches Site to Lure MacBook Switchers to Surface Pro 3

Steve121178 said:
When you grow up and enter the real world you will see that Microsoft has a strong technical following like no other company. Namely I.T professionals that use their products and services to do business, to make things work, to run their entire organisations.

There are many thousands of Microsoft-centric websites/forums/online communities that vastly outnumber anything Apple related. These people are not just 'fans', they are I.T professionals helping others to get stuff done.
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Actually, I am a grown-up in the real world. My company has about 200 licenses of Microsoft Office running on its computers. I understand that Microsoft makes software to get things done. Microsoft's focus is on productivity.

There are lots of websites and forums dedicated to Microsoft products. The reason is probably simple: Windows is used by 90% of computer users, and Office is the most popular software in the world (apart from operating systems). Both in and outside businesses.

But Apple has fans like Microsoft doesn't have. Apple is like a religion to some; they act in a childish way in order to protect the interests of a company that they do not even work in. I see lots of fanboys defending Apple, as I see lots of fanboys defending Linux. I don't see fanboys lining up to defend Microsoft. Perhaps because these people are grown-ups getting their work done and do not have time for this childish behaviour. They like Microsoft because Microsoft makes good software, and that's it: no passion at all.

I am not a fanboy, and I don't love or hate a particular company. I use what I like and what fits me best. I am both a Mac and Windows user. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and I see no reason to become a fanboy or whatsoever.
 
mdriftmeyer said:
Who in their right mind would fork out nearly $2k for this?

12" Screen
Surface Pro 3 - 8GB RAM: 512GB / Intel i7 - 1.7Ghz
Resolution: 2160 x 1440 • Aspect Ratio: 3:2
$1,849.00 [after $100 sale price cut]

Seriously?

MacBook Pro 13"
Retina display: 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560-by-1600 resolution at 227 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors
8GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
3.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i7
512GB PCIe-based Flash Storage
$1,999.00


There is a reason they run advertising against the baseline Macbook Air. It is asinine to compare any Surface Pro above it with any Macbook product above that baseline $899 Macbook Air.
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I see you forgot some very important things.. on purpose?

Weight:
MBP: 1.57kg
SP3: 800grams + 294grams for Type Cover = 1.09 (thereabouts) kg

Tablet option:
MBP: No
SP3: Yes

Touch Screen:
MBP: No
SP3: Yes

Active Digitizer:
MBP: No
SP3: Yes

So yeah, as a consumer, I'd choose a SP over a MB any day of the week.
 
ParanoidDroid said:
Yes we have automated deployment as well, but some machines still have to run XP...

You can't be serious about IE, we still have to implement fallbacks for IE when developing web-based solutions. Most companies I know won't allow you to install 3rd party browsers, IE is your only option.
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Still have to run XP? You've had years of warnings to replace that bag of misery. If they are required for manufacturing lines then presumably they are isolated anyway so security isn't an issue. If you allow them full access to your systems and to the internet then, well, wow.
 
gotluck said:
Not as convenient no

But Apple offers no continuity for those of us with windows pcs at work, the place I want continuity most

I'll take less convenient over no support at all
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My recommendation is a corporate Mac Book Air/Pro running Windows via Parallels. Works like a charm, sandboxed in a secure Mac.

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Steve121178 said:
Still have to run XP? You've had years of warnings to replace that bag of misery. If they are required for manufacturing lines then presumably they are isolated anyway so security isn't an issue. If you allow them full access to your systems and to the internet then, well, wow.
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Extended support! :D
 
skaertus said:
Actually, I am a grown-up in the real world. My company has about 200 licenses of Microsoft Office running on its computers. I understand that Microsoft makes software to get things done. Microsoft's focus is on productivity.

There are lots of websites and forums dedicated to Microsoft products. The reason is probably simple: Windows is used by 90% of computer users, and Office is the most popular software in the world (apart from operating systems). Both in and outside businesses.

But Apple has fans like Microsoft doesn't have. Apple is like a religion to some; they act in a childish way in order to protect the interests of a company that they do not even work in. I see lots of fanboys defending Apple, as I see lots of fanboys defending Linux. I don't see fanboys lining up to defend Microsoft. Perhaps because these people are grown-ups getting their work done and do not have time for this childish behaviour. They like Microsoft because Microsoft makes good software, and that's it: no passion at all.
Click to expand...

If people are just doing a job and have no real interest in it then of course they have no passion for what they do. Having worked in I.T. all my life, nearly every techie I have met is usually enthusiastic about what they do as well as trying the best they can to get Microsoft certifications under their belt.

The reason why Microsoft "fans" (I hate that term) are not as vocal as Apple/Linux fanboys is because they simply don't care about either of their main 'rivals'. It doesn't interest them and they don't feel in any way threatened as they know they are using the superior software & platforms.

Linux has a place in modern businesses on the infrastructure side, but OS X simply doesn't. Obviously there are some businesses that are exclusively Mac based, but that's an absolute fraction compared to Windows, so you can see why Windows enthusiasts don't need to shout to make themselves stand out and be heard like Mac fans do. Windows 'fans' just don't care about the alternatives.
 
Aluminum213 said:
At least MS is trying to innovate

iOS on the iPad is a blown up iPhone OS and the MacBook line has been boring for years
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Really? To want the same OS across all form factors and all processor types? Stands the risk of not being tailored for the physical medium it's actually on.

They're going about the selling of their tablet the right way. I'm not sure they'll make many converts, though.
 
If I could run OS X on one of these I would so buy one! I've seriously considered buying one for a hackintosh, however the Surface Pro 3 is very poorly supported, the Surface Pro 2 is way better but I don't like the form factor as much.

Ever since the first hybrids have come out I think they're a great idea. Apple's ignoring a brilliant product category (though I wonder if the new 12" retina MBP will bring something in this regard). Of course I'd still love a real Apple over any hackintosh but right now they make nothing that even comes close.
 
Don't mind Windows fans at all

But they're so emotional! Insisting that YOU'RE the rational one, WE'RE the fanboys is almost completely irrational.
 
26139 said:
"Boring"? You mean it's a mature system that usually allows people to use the computer for the purpose of buying it, which is often producing a digital good of some sort?
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You might have bought it to produce digital content, that is not why others bought it for. For most people its to play content .

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Swift said:
But they're so emotional! Insisting that YOU'RE the rational one, WE'RE the fanboys is almost completely irrational.
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What??
 
Honestly, despite no interest in Windows, I wish Apple would reinvent their laptop lineup. It's stale and feels way less exciting than iOS. Why can't I run OSX on my iPad yet? I'd love an enhanced iPad with more ports and Yosemite.
 
apolloa said:
Why sir, yes it does :D
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That's the SP2 unfortunately. OS X on the SP3 is not yet in any kind of usable state. At least not the last time I checked (a couple of months ago). Unfortunately, as it's great hardware!
 
monty77 said:
I have a SP3 and I like it a lot, few software niggles and iCloud services (understandably) aren't perfect if that's your main ecosystem but there's no denying it's impressive hardware. Apple should be taking note, if they've not already got something similar in the pipeline.
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Think about it PLEASE? If Microsoft is constantly pushing out ads to lure people away from the Macbook then Apple is not going to "Take Note". It only shows Microsoft's products aren't grabbing enough customers so Apple has no reason to budge.

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skaertus said:
Actually, I am a grown-up in the real world. My company has about 200 licenses of Microsoft Office running on its computers. I understand that Microsoft makes software to get things done. Microsoft's focus is on productivity.

There are lots of websites and forums dedicated to Microsoft products. The reason is probably simple: Windows is used by 90% of computer users, and Office is the most popular software in the world (apart from operating systems). Both in and outside businesses.

But Apple has fans like Microsoft doesn't have. Apple is like a religion to some; they act in a childish way in order to protect the interests of a company that they do not even work in. I see lots of fanboys defending Apple, as I see lots of fanboys defending Linux. I don't see fanboys lining up to defend Microsoft. Perhaps because these people are grown-ups getting their work done and do not have time for this childish behaviour. They like Microsoft because Microsoft makes good software, and that's it: no passion at all.

I am not a fanboy, and I don't love or hate a particular company. I use what I like and what fits me best. I am both a Mac and Windows user. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and I see no reason to become a fanboy or whatsoever.
Click to expand...

This from a guy/gal who fills his/her signature full of Apple products so the rest of us can see what he uses when it's not necessary nor a requirement in order to be a MR member. :p
 
ParanoidDroid said:
My recommendation is a corporate Mac Book Air/Pro running Windows via Parallels. Works like a charm, sandboxed in a secure Mac.

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Extended support! :D
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Yes that is a very good idea indeed

I tried the sp3 in person today though and it is a compelling product for my situation too. Good deal of remote work, I have an 8 month old, blah blah
 
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Main problem (for me) with the Surface - it runs Windows. I ran away from Windows when Vista came out, haven't been back since and have no intentions of it. If I ever got so disillusioned with Apple that I was going to go away from OS X/Macs, I'd go to Unix/Linux rather than go back to Windows.
 
I went out and bought a $130 8" Atom-powered Windows 8 tablet from MicroCenter because, why not? It's so cheap! And I've actually been pleasantly surprised with how well it works overall, at least for basic media consumption. I think it beats an iPad hands down not just for price, but also for flexibility (it's x86 so it runs any Windows program, it actually has a full-size USB port, mini-HDMI out, etc). No, it's not as "smooth" and "seamless" but for hundreds of dollars less, it does just fine.

But the Surface Pro is just far too expensive. I get that it's a much more powerful processor for a tablet form factor, plus the keyboard cover and all that jazz... but damn. Just can't justify that.

Now if Apple ever put OS X on an intel-powered tablet... that would be interesting.
 
ThisIsNotMe said:
Have you seen Windows 8?
They brought a tablet OS to the desktop.



Because it is already close to perfection as it comes.
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Mac OS was most perfect at Snow Leopard. That was the certified UNIX at its peak. Literally every release after as taken power user features away for fluff.
 
Rogifan said:
So this is the innovative Surface?

laptop_surface.jpeg


Apple has over 20 stylus patents/patent applications. Add proper pen support and split screen multi-tasking to iPad and who cares about Surface.
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Microsoft has some of the best Handwriting and eink patents around. But where do those fit into actual Office products? They don't.

So Surface is part Win 8 Tablet UI, part Win 7 traditional UI, and Handwriting stuff sort of overplayed wherever they can get Devs to support it. The device needs to be like Courier.. No compatible software and tablet -handwriting forced at the very basic OS level. It would take a while to build up traction, and it would REPLACE Windows...
 
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