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Microsoft Announces New 'Surface' Tablet, New Hardware and Software Based on Windows 8
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Exactly the reason I've waited years for a tablet. Said it before that a Windows 8 tablet would be the first tablet I buy and keep and this is definitely it. Everything about it seems amazing!
Thats a bold statement to make considering you know nothing of the details.
It's not as innovative as I'd have hoped. Granted, the keyboard looks nice. But all Microsoft have done is taken the smart cover (magnets and all) and added some keys to it.
Other than that, it's just another tablet.
With a kickstand
RTP.
Other than that, it's just another tablet.
With a kickstand
RTP.
Convergence
This is really going to win over professional crowd
Don't know how well Surface (RT) will do with consumers against iPad... But I'm sure the pro will likely be a winner
They aren't going to price themselves out of the market.
Some specs for those interested:
http://www.microsoft.com/global/surface/en/us/renderingassets/surfacespecsheet.pdf
Some specs for those interested:
http://www.microsoft.com/global/surface/en/us/renderingassets/surfacespecsheet.pdf
I like the cover / keyboard idea. It's obvious that Windows 8 was built for this device and not for desktop users. It's sparked my interest, but I will need to see more before I'm sold.
If the price and battery life are both within range of The New iPad, this could be a real contender.
The Asus Transformer Prime ?
I want Google to make a tablet themselves and do some cool hardware/software integration.
Money Quote:
"We believe that any intersection between human and machine can be made better when every aspect of the experience, hardware and software, are considered together.". --Steve Ballmer
"We believe that any intersection between human and machine can be made better when every aspect of the experience, hardware and software, are considered together.". --Steve Ballmer
Too early for fanboi comments yet.
Windows 8 is perfect for tablets. It just gives consumers another choice between iOS and android.
Competition is good- keeps the industry fresh.
One of the few iPad complaints for me is lack of trackpad/mouse support to make it easier to use on a desk (with a trackpad your hands never leave the keyboard and your fingers never have to touch the screen).
At least Microsoft seems to be listening...
MacBook Air, you never have to touch it's screen as well.
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Priceless!
Two versions (one with WindowsRT, the other with Windows8Pro) might be confusing for the average consumer. PDF Spec sheet here:
http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en/us/about.aspx
As others mentioned, lots of open questions (battery life?, price?, available late 2012 or early 2013?).
This could either be the most serious competitor to the iPad or the next Zune failure - depending on pricing for the cheaper WindowsRT version.
Might do well with business customers and students though (digital ink option) - and hurt MS hardware partners the most. Dell, Asus won't be too happy paying $85 for WinRT only to compete with MS' own tablet.
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This is not an iPad competitor...it's an ultrabook competitor. This is perpetuation of the only game MS knows...traditional PCs...
I like the idea of a kick stand.
Why is an ultra thin stand that flips flush into the back of a device worse than either nothing, so you have to prop it up against a book or something, or a cover you have to buy than the roll up to make a wobbly stand?
The iPad should of had some kind of stand in it from day one.
Why is an ultra thin stand that flips flush into the back of a device worse than either nothing, so you have to prop it up against a book or something, or a cover you have to buy than the roll up to make a wobbly stand?
The iPad should of had some kind of stand in it from day one.
Typical Windows Vapor ware.... No specs, No price, No release date. The pro version is probably more than the $1199.- MacBook Air and who knows when it will be available.
I owned the original Microsoft Tablet PC from Compaq in 2000 and all I remember from that experience is the sluggish performance and the never ending fan sound
I owned the original Microsoft Tablet PC from Compaq in 2000 and all I remember from that experience is the sluggish performance and the never ending fan sound
when they do something to actually innovate instead of imitate...I'll bite and agree that such a thing would be good. But this is certainly no competitor to the iPad and I'm going to go out on a limb that if it is even close to the iPad in price...whomever makes it and sells it will take a bloodbath of lost money on it compared to the iPad's margins.