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Microsoft Announces New 'Surface' Tablet, New Hardware and Software Based on Windows 8

currentinterest said:
What this announcement implies is that Microsoft was getting no traction in convincing other vendors to build a tablet for Windows RT.
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Hardly. Every no name company seems happy to build tablets. And if MS thought the game was over you would see the original killer apps, excel word and powerpoint on ipads and android.

What the announcement implies is that MS no longer sees any value in working with dell, hp and lenovo.


The Pro version may have a shot if the enterprise buyers adopt Win 8. I see this as potential competition for ultrabooks. It will have little impact on MacBook Air or iPad sales.
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Enterprise will adopt both. Enterprise is all to happy to give crippled product to low end workers, as long as the support is trained.
 
DiSTURBED-oNE said:
After being excited about this tablet by watching the ads and reading the announcements, thinking about it a little more.....Microsoft still has a long way to go.

Firstly, there are two hardware platforms to consider:

* x86
and
* ARM

This means developers would have to either choose what hardware platform to develop for, or develop for both platforms.

This might sway developers away from Windows 8.
...
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If you want to target ALL of Windows 8 (desktop, tablet with intel, tablet with ARM), then you'll develop your apps for Metro apps. It can be used on all of these form factors and processors.
 
Didn't read through the whole tread, but I must say that I'm rather impressed with the design. Just need to see the way the product performs now and price point.
 
I.Love.Apple said:
Windows RT - fully featured multi-tasking multi-windows, multi-everything OS can do way more than iOS. iPad is not exactly in the same category as this new tablet.
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Windows RT is not as multi everything as you claim. Doesn't have a desktop environment, can not run normal desktop applications and content will be confined to the metro app like marketplace.
 
I.Love.Apple said:
Windows RT - fully featured multi-tasking multi-windows, multi-everything OS can do way more than iOS. iPad is not exactly in the same category as this new tablet.
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you seriously need to own an iPad. The iPad is in it's own class. It's not meant to replace anything laptop/desktop wise. That's why it sells so well.

If you are looking for a frankenstein mess, you will buy this device. The biggest issue is the multi-tasking multi-everything on these tablets. It just doesn't work well enough.
 
bbeagle said:
Somehow, I feel you haven't read the comments here. 75% are from fanatic Microsoft fanboys who are in love with this thing.
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i'm sure, it's just a giant microsoft CONSPIRACY to flood the forums with paid trolls.

good one sherlock
 
Looks pretty cool, looking forward to see it. I don't think its an iPad killer, but Google may need to step up, so the number 2 spot isn't microsoft.
I wish we had more definite dates and prices. I feel like they just kinda said "The tablet will be available in October and the Pro will be out some time after that. And the prices will be similar to other tablets out now." I mean coooome on ;)
 
tech4all said:
I'm guessing this cover/keyboard is connected to the tablet and serves as a keyboard and cover. Whereas with Apple it's a separate item.

If I understand this correctly I like the cover/keyboard idea. But not so much the kickstand. MS basically took the Smart Cover idea, got ride of the roll up feature (that turns it into a 'kick stand'), put a keyboard in it. And added the kickstand to the back.
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There are third party keyboards that are cases/covers. Admittedly, not as thin as the non-normal keyboard they showed off. So I give Microsoft credit for that one. But that keyboard hardly fits the bill for "serious" typing. The tactile feedback is probably junk.
 
MacRumorUser said:
Windows RT is not as multi everything as you claim. Doesn't have a desktop environment, can not run normal desktop applications and content will be confined to the metro app like marketplace.
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It does have a desktop environment.

It does not run desktop apps except for Microsoft sanctioned ones which are Office and IE.


Metro does multi-tasking and split pane view in windows 8.
 
DougB541 said:
I actually disagree. I think most "common folk" can barely tell the difference between the ipad 2 and ipad 3. I fancy myself as having good eyes and i had trouble seeing it until I literally held them side by side. On the iPhone its night and day...but for whatever reason I find it tough to tell on the iPad.


Anyway, I honestly don't think the higher resolution is this huge selling factor for mass market yet. iPhone has had a better dpi for how long? But people are fine with other devices as well.

But to your point, Apple has this tendency to snap up ALL the supplies for parts of their device. I'd imagine not many manufacturers will have that high resolution of a screen for a bit.
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Wow. I couldn't disagree more. Everything is so much more pleasant on my iPad 3 than my older model. Pictures, video, text....everything. No going back.
 
KevinN206 said:
The commonality is that Metro apps work on both systems. Plus, the "Pro" version has the traditional Intel processor for all existing Windows programs. I don't think it'll be confusing they market it correctly.
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And here I think is the problem - getting Microsoft to market it correctly and apps working well on both devices. I don't know how they will or will not work so think that is key.

IMHO, the thing looks ugly. Part of that is how it was shot. I just don't think they really thought through the process, but in my mind when they showed the side shot what first popped in my head was "the iPad looks a LOT thinner" even it is isn't much thinner.

I do think the competition is good so hey, M$ welcome to the game.
 
If you can't load and run processor intensive software then what is the point of having a full OS? In fact, if you aren't running processor intensive software at all; What is the need for a full OS when a mobile OS fulfills the functional needs?

Ignorant people will try to load third party crap on this thing, in turn, killing the battery life and bogging the device down. This seems like it will cannibalize their Windows PC market with a product that isn't a suitable replacement. This in turn means you have people with Windows Tablets that hate them because it won't run the same programs they use on their regular PC, while it runs a full OS. How does no one see this as an issue?

It's a typical half-baked, half thought out idea from Microsoft. It's like they wanted to have a tablet but didn't want to commit 100%. The iPad dominates the market for two reasons, speed and reliability. Sandboxing is necessary for a tablet to be successful in this market. Microsoft will learn this soon enough.
 
AppleScruff1 said:
With a billion Windows users worldwide, I think they'll sell a few of these. Even more if it's competitively priced and works well. I think there is a huge market for people who prefer to stick to Windows and don't want to switch to iOS. So far no Android tablet has had any success to talk about. If Microsoft does this right, it could kick Android out of the picture. And when the OEM's start making Windows tablets, Android tablets will be a distant third. People will buy these because it runs Windows. It's a hard swallow for many here, but that is the truth.
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I don't think that's hard to swallow at all. Android has failed to take the bull by the horns in the tablet world and has left the second place door open for sure. I still don't see a lot of margin in these though. Companies are in business to make money people...and Apple will certainly continue to do so at a greater pace than anyone else in the industry if this is all of the "innovation" their greatest supposed "competition" can muster...
 
soLoredd said:
As someone who uses BT keyboard with iPad a lot, it is different. Right now, I have to carry 2 separate items (or at least have a small bag with me).

But, what could hurt Microsoft is announcing and not shipping. The iPad/keyboard combo cases will be the next hot thing, watch.
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I really doubt that you own an iPad, or know anything about it.

There are numerous iPad case which include bluetooth keyboards as part of the case. They've been here for more than 2 years. I've seen many of them out in the wild. I've NEVER seen someone bring a separate iPad and a separate bluetooth keyboard in a bag - that would be a joke.
 
I like it... Do I like it better than my 3rd gen iPad? Not sure, I'd have to use it first but I like it enough to walk into a Microsoft store and check it out.
 
There needs to be a damn wager system on MR. Set up a CC/paypal system and have you guys put your money where your mouth is. If you think this thing will be a success, put up some money and make your bets.

I will almost guarantee you that I will take your money and make you look as bad as steve ballmer. Unfortunately, steve ballmer will still be CEO even if this project fails.
 
That looks like a big knockoff of the iPad, but the keyboard is nice. Apple should have made their smart covers come with foldable keyboards like those.
 
Just What Everyone's Been Wanting!

MS Surface tablets address all the biggest complaints about the iPad: it's not tall enough, it's not wide enough, it's not thick enough, and it doesn't weigh nearly enough. The iPad is also often criticised for having useless Bluetooth and cellular support. And GPS. People often complain that the iPad doesn't have a trackpad or keyboard on its cover too.

All of these problems are overcome by Microsoft's new Surface tablets! Hooray!
 
$*~AAPL~*$ said:
New competition in the tablet space may mitigate Apple's seeming delayed decision to release a smaller form factor, where for now, Android is the only one of any significance. Tablets represent the largest growth market for Apple devices. They need to dominate ALL spaces, including the 7" market.

Remember, I'm all for Apple.
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Just because you're for Apple doesn't mean I'd automatically think what you said makes sense. And I do remain unconvinced that the 7 inch market is necessary as people currently envision it (mainly being how Android is going about it). If Apple does 7 inch they'll do it on their own terms (just like how you can argue that the Macbook Air 11 inch is really a high end netbook).
 
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