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

iEvolution said:
Pretty sure the majority of users (98%) can type on a keyboard faster than using a inferior touch screen keyboard. The keyboard doesn't have to be used either.

I have the blue tooth keyboard and it makes the iPad so much more usable than just depending on a touch screen keyboard.
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Maybe so, but the pad can't seriously replace the laptop for that matter on this moment. I my situation the Pad computers are not suited to write whole documents and making presentations in the first place. When talking about convenient then no Pad does the job in a proper way when it comes to do serious office work for various reasons. The pad is convenient when it comes to checking your mail, reply with a quick and short answer and browse the web besides using it for various personal fun activities. That being said I think you end up wanting a device itself to be as convenient as possible. When you truly like to type on a keyboard then I sure hope the new Microsoft enables the use of bluetooth enabled third party keyboards. Else it could end up with users having the same frustration that they need to buy another keyboard made by Microsoft because nothing else would work.
 
Multiple Problems

1. People will get tired of hitting CTRL-ALT-DEL to unlock their "surface"
2. People will get tired of blue screens on the boot
3. People are already heavily invested in APPS and Music through the App Store - day late and dollar short Microsoft
4. It's running Windows 8 YUK!
5. Virus city - I'm sure the nerds are already building in their basement


and YES I am anti-Microsoft now. Switched over a couple years ago to iPhone, iPad, iMac, Macbook Pro and not looking back. OS is much more stable than Microsoft ever built, no more reboots just to get my computer speed back, no more blue screens, no more CTRL-ALT-DEL. Tablet market is already set, it's onto the next best thing whatever that may be. You can't follow the competition, it's moving too fast.
 
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Windows on a tablet would be great, like full fledged Windows that was capable of running all old Windows software.

But it sort of begs the question, when will Apple release OSX for iPad/tablet, and will we be able to install Windows 7/8 on it under bootcamp anyway?

In any case, especially for those of us that use a tablet to read journals and would like another one to type about them, there could be a strong argument for owning two tablets, instead of just one tablet and an ultrabook.
 
KevinN206 said:
Here's what the vent looks like: http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/gadgetlab/2012/06/MicrosoftEvent15.jpg

It's almost impossible to accidentally to cover it, but one has to wonder how it'll work under a blanket. Or if it's turned on while in a backpack. I think the processor will automatically clocks itself down, and worst-case turn itself off.

This is why I would rather get the thinner, lighter, and without vent version - the Windows RT.
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Yes, as a Mechanical Engineering, that `Perimeter Venting' is passive venting as a means to evacuate as much heat as possible without adding a cooling heat sink and/or fan configuration.
 
dragje said:
Actually, you can. The real question is, can Microsoft hold up with the running Apple boys?
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Doubtful. This new MS product doesn't come out until the fall a.k.a. when the fourth iteration of the iPad will debut. The ONLY thing that this new MS product does is give Apple some feedback power to see what people think is or isn't cool about it, and incorporate it into the iPad. I didn't mean that to sound so copy-cat, as Apple is the clear leader here... I just mean that Apple's product is refined already, and only getting better. I just don't see anyone gaining real traction under those circumstances.

Remember, "everyone" was so excited about the Xoom tablet that was anointed as "the one" last year, and that was a giant flop.
 
Well, I'm impressed! Interested in seeing one in person. I hope software support is good too, or that the pro version's specs are good enough to run some interesting stuff.
 
2IS said:
You realize you don't have to use the keyboard right? And that there are some people that would? Why do you think there are BT keyboards available for the iPad? Because no one wants them?
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Having access to both makes the iPad an all around better product.

The first thing I got for my iPad3 was the ultra thin keyboard cover.

Though most of the time, the keyboard is off, and I'm just relaxing with the iPad in hand.
 
Right...Arn, whoever reads this...

This has to be said.

Why is this story on page 1 or Macrumors?

if i wanted to read about technology from other manufacturers i would goto Gizmodo or Engadget.

At least keep this for page 2...

I understand the relevance to the iPad, but the reasons above are most likely the reason this site has went downhill.

iClarified has just about every story before you guys do now anyway.

STOP posting Microsoft stories on page 1 please..:confused:

Rant over.
 
You obviously haven't unused windows 7 then. none of those issues exist. I never reboot my windows box and it's over 5 years old and it's way faster than may 2 year old iMac. You think people have a lot invested in their APPS, even if you have 350 apps its still not more invesested than ms office.

WAPilot said:
1. People will get tired of hitting CTRL-ALT-DEL to unlock their "surface"
2. People will get tired of blue screens on the boot
3. People are already heavily invested in APPS and Music through the App Store - day late and dollar short Microsoft
4. It's running Windows 8 YUK!
5. Virus city - I'm sure the nerds are already building in their basement


and YES I am anti-Microsoft now. Switched over a couple years ago to iPhone, iPad, iMac, Macbook Pro and not looking back. OS is much more stable than Microsoft ever built, no more reboots just to get my computer speed back, no more blue screens, no more CTRL-ALT-DEL. Tablet market is already set, it's onto the next best thing whatever that may be. You can't follow the competition, it's moving too fast.
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If I would be a windows user I would be very interested in their tablet. Looks promising.
 
The Intel one is really interesting. Nice design, proper OS that you can do actual work on unlike the iPad, with a file system, running your own code and a huge legacy of software. The keyboard case is great, and it has a pen digitiser that, if it’s good, would be fantastically useful. It works well in corporate enterprise. It’s a winner.

The ARM one is crap. No pen, censored MS only approved code, and no ecosystem of apps so you hit the Windows Phone 7 problem – developers don’t make software for it because it has no userbase, and it has no userbase because it has no software. If I wanted a closed, crippled platform like that I’d buy an iPad, which at least has five years of software releases today.
 
NachoGrande said:
You obviously haven't unused windows 7 then. none of those issues exist. I never reboot my windows box and it's over 5 years old and it's way faster than may 2 year old iMac. You think people have a lot invested in their APPS, even if you have 350 apps its still not more invesested than ms office.
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Ctrl-Alt-Delete does exist? lol

You think people investing in 350 Apps that can be carried across any iOS device is less invested than someone buying MS Office!? :confused:
 
Look, the version with Intel CPU is nice as an extra computer terminal in the house, which also can be taken with you. However, that thing probably cost the same as a good notebook, like the MacBook Air.

Also, at that price point, how many people are buying a Surface as their only PC? I know some people who have a MacBook Air as their only computer. Are people going to buy a tablet as only PC, probably specced les powerful than the Ultrabooks?
 
Interesting! I love the ad, it's very well done and finally not the crappy Microsoft style. The keyboard is a good idea, though I think a tablet has to work well without one, since you can't always be at a table when using a tablet (otherwise you'd be using a notebook, right?).

I think it looks okay given that it's meant to be a "full" computer, in the sense that at least one version can run full Windows, and taking into account that it's made by Microsoft.

However, I don't think this will be a big deal in the end, since it's Windows 8 after all, which is a very lame OS.
 
iPadPublisher said:
The ONLY thing that this new MS product does is give Apple some feedback power to see what people think is or isn't cool about it, and incorporate it into the iPad. I didn't mean that to sound so copy-cat, as Apple is the clear leader here... I just mean that Apple's product is refined already, and only getting better.
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That's in any way positive, it's called innovation trough competition. In that context I invite other companies to make Pads as well ^^
 
I got rid of my iPad 1 after a few months and haven't been that interested since, but this Windows tablet intrigues me (apart from the fact it's Windows!).

With all of Apple's talk of fragmentation, I've always felt the OSX/iOS thing is itself a kind of fragmentation - certainly when you look at apps like Pages. Totally different on each platform.

The idea of a full OS, full programs and a file system (as well as USB and an SD slot) on a tablet is very intriguing and, if anything, might make Apple up their game a little - true competition is something that's been lacking in the tablet world.
 
tekno said:
I got rid of my iPad 1 after a few months and haven't been that interested since, but this Windows tablet intrigues me (apart from the fact it's Windows!).

With all of Apple's talk of fragmentation, I've always felt the OSX/iOS thing is itself a kind of fragmentation - certainly when you look at apps like Pages. Totally different on each platform.

The idea of a full OS, full programs and a file system (as well as USB and an SD slot) on a tablet is very intriguing and, if anything, might make Apple up their game a little - true competition is something that's been lacking in the tablet world.
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Then just get a macbook air.
 
If apple had produced something as primitive looking and plastic-y as this they would have been laughed at.
I hope it outperforms the ipad in functionality, so apple have to up their game. The keyboard cover should come to the ipad imo but imagine trying to use this on your lap, like your laptop - not a chance! :D
 
aurichie said:
The problem is there really isn't a market for tablets in general. There is a growing market for iPads. Consumers aren't interested in anything else. Microsoft Surface changes nothing.
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If it gives us a file system, and usb 3 connectivity, it changes everything.

The only tablets that I have used that weren't toys were all running Windows.
Asus ep 121, Samsung 700t, and now the Microsoft surface.
All the Android tablets are toys and the ipad is equally limited for real computer work.
 
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