This reminds me of when people use Windows machines at work... but they have Macs and iPads at home.
I'm sure this is a very common scenario.
At least there is something for everybody.
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Microsoft Announces Intel Atom-Based Surface 3 With Windows 8.1 for $499
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This reminds me of when people use Windows machines at work... but they have Macs and iPads at home.
I'm sure this is a very common scenario.
At least there is something for everybody.
I can answer coming from a user of a surface pro line.
its' a great go between hybrid device. Want to type something up? do some sysadmin work and need a keyboard? need full access to real software (and not just apps), from a library of millions of windows programs. you can. Plop it on the desk, snap it into the keyboard and work.
but then hey, I'm tired of working, i want to go watch sports and have my favourite sports blog up and website tracking my hockey poop. Pick it up, detach keyboard, and go sit on the couch. Full access to web, apps and still the millions of windows programs should I choose.
This is all being done on the same physical hardware. There's no need for some software layer like continuinity to link my mobile device to computer. There's no need for cloud storage to make sure that the photo i was looking at while at the desk, is the same i'm looking at while at the couch. No need to shut down programs from one computer, just to start them again on another.
it is one device to cover all of these activities fairly seamlessly.
Now, this isn't to say there aren't some caveats. it's not perfect. its heavier than an ipad. The trackpad is terrible compared to a laptop. The hinge isn't always the most practical of use.
but what it has allowed me to do is have on device instead of two independent ones.
if this doesn't sound like it suits your needs, then this device is absolutely not for you. But for many it might just be enough. I quite enjoy being able to sit on the couch and use lightroom with a competent touchscreen and a accurate stylus.
It's an iPad competitor in the same sense the iPad is a palm pilot competitor. In other words, so many years ahead and superior in every way there's no competition, but the die hard fans of the obsolete tech are loyal to their antique OS.
Windows 98? That's as far as you're willing to go? XP (Hated it) Very insecure OS. Tons of holes and constant patches and wasn't easy to pair up with wireless solutions.
Vista (The poor copycat of Mac OS X Tiger)....nuff said.
Windows 7 was "Better" but basically fixed Vista's problems, but at the end of the day it still has the same Registry and the same Registry annoyances. The Registry should've been ripped out of Windows in the early 2000's and Windows should've been completely re-written as Apple did when they re-wrote the Mac OS into OS X.
Windows 8, hate the tiles. Complete nonsense other than to make it look like something new when it was really just AOL-kids Desktop theme.
No matter what Windows still has the same inept way of installing apps with the same difficulty fully removing them due to the Registry. I can go on. That's why my business computer is completely Windows-free.
I definitely agree the Surface 3 with full Windows 8 and is a ipad killer especially when it will starts at 499 pounds.
I think since Microsoft accounced the Surface 3, now there will be a lot of people buying Windows 8 tablets like Surface 3 a lot lot more than Ipads.
it reminds me of my dad's computers all the time
after every 3-6 months "THis thing is slow and outdated and a terrible computer" and would buy a new top of the line one.
he'd always give me the old one. I'd always go look and sure enough. 100 toolbars, everysingle application set to start at boot. Constant diskswapping because of his inability to NOT pay attention to installers.
it was good for me. Fresh brand new computer every 6 months. I'd wipe his windows and reinstall and it would be amazing.
Computers, regardless of OS choice are only as good as the operator using them.
Ok, Windows is free to all consumer users running Windows 7 and newer, including all people running pirated consumer versions.
Enterprise costumers who want a version of the operating system to be maintained on a different schedule than consumers are allowed to pay for such an option. Including those people running server editions of Windows.
Apple Xserver Enterprise customers...haven't been able to buy a machine since 2010 when Apple left that market segment so ... those business users... still get their updates on their 5+ year old machines until they break and can't be replaced.
This runs circles around iOS toys. Can't wait for the day Apple finally jump ship to Intel processor with a mobile version of OSX.
Isn't it time for Timmy to wake up and realize that in 2015 16 gig of storage in a $500 tablet is just a pathetic joke that embarrasses the whole company?
Or is he still too busy with his second career as a political pundit for his personal causes to actually do anything at Apple?
Simple solution, don't buy the Surface 3 then. My SP3 is a fantastic machine, simple utilities extend and empower the system, like hiding the tiles. OS X is fairly locked down that you cannot do things that you can in Windows. I mean like themes and and what not. There's a vast array of products that allow you to customize the system to suit your needs.
It's really great to see all of the rational commentators here on MacRumors.
The ones who are irrational seem to be in full on panic mode that Microsoft is making some decent hardware for people who like computing, while Apple appears to be in full-on-bling-mode with gold computers, Beats headphones and the $17k watches.
It is also clear that many people here haven't used a new Atom processor, or Windows 8.1 - even the current Atoms are very snappy using Windows 8.1.
Times have changed. Apple has become primarily a fashion company, and Microsoft is actually doing some interesting things now. Back when I was an Apple fan, I never would have imagined this day would have come.
The ones who are irrational seem to be in full on panic mode that Microsoft is making some decent hardware for people who like computing, while Apple appears to be in full-on-bling-mode with gold computers, Beats headphones and the $17k watches.
It is also clear that many people here haven't used a new Atom processor, or Windows 8.1 - even the current Atoms are very snappy using Windows 8.1.
Times have changed. Apple has become primarily a fashion company, and Microsoft is actually doing some interesting things now. Back when I was an Apple fan, I never would have imagined this day would have come.
That latter part I was unaware of. Though really, while I could say that NTFS is a bit behind the times compared to some other file systems, it still does what it needs to do, and does it well. Yeah, it can fragment, but it's ultimately no slower or flakier than anything else on the market (outside of some super specialized formats I'm unaware of). With Windows being set up to account for it without any real overhead, and SSDs becoming more common, fragmentation wasn't much of a concern 8 years ago, and is even less of one now.
It's one of those "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" things.
I've seen some people bring up DLL Hell here, so...yeah.
Surface Pro 3 or an earlier model? The Pro 3 has a glass covered precision track pad and I actually like it.
That's the one thing I hate on my SP3. The trackpad. Its better then prior editions, but its still frustrating to use. I use the pen and touchscreen in its place. I also use a travel mouse when the need arises.
Haha, funny post.....
The iPad was a Netbook competitor. And there's nothing about the Surface that's "So many Years ahead and Superior in every way". Oh vey.
The 0.58 lb spec for the Surface 3 TypeCover is from the Microsoft website.
They never will because that will impact their already slowing iPad sales and endanger their MBA/rMB sales.
Thank you, I don't think people realize without all the extras the surface is just a crappy tablet.
I see this new Surface as more tablet than laptop... but you have the option to run full programs if you need them.
You're right... this wouldn't be a good primary Windows machine. I don't think it's supposed to be though.
If you are the type of person who uses a traditional laptop for serious work and also has an iPad for casual use.... this Surface could occupy the tablet role.
It just has the option to run full Windows programs in a pinch.
It's interesting to note the change through the years. When the first windows tablet came out us supporters were very very few with an avalanche of rabid apple fanboys surrounding us. Now there are many very rational users, and even Apple fans who see what a great device the surface line is. Not everyone has to love it, but there is as much genius in the surface line as there is in an ipad.
Windows 8 has two modes. The start screen mode (aka tiile mode) is excellent for touch interfaces, while the desktop mode works almost identically to Windows 7 if you use a free 3rd part start menu program. Windows 10 takes care of that last caveat in that it has a native start menu in desktop mode.
All in all, it sounds like you're either nit picking because it isn't apple, or don't know what you're doing if you find using Windows as difficult as your post makes it seem. I know grand mothers that use windows machines with less issues that you seem to have with them.
Doubtful. Apple seems reluctant to put OS X on the iPad mostly in fear of it cannibalizing Mac sales it seems. Especially with Mac sales at an all time high and continually rising. OS X being on the iPad would pretty much eliminate the need for the Macbook Air line or the recently renewed Macbook line. It would probably hurt Retina Macbook Pro sales as well.
At best you can hope for some iPad exclusive iOS features not present in iOS for iPhone but I doubt we'll see OS X on a tablet for a long time.
The only way I could see them adding it any sooner or making some hybrid type device is if the Surface is a huge commercial success which we all know it won't be.