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

I'm so glad I returned the "new iPad", this will be be my next tablet.

It's a great time to be a techie ....
 
G51989 said:
iOS is a mobile operating system, its incredibly limited compared to a ' real ' OS like OSX or Windows
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iOS isn't limited. It has a full pre-emptive process scheduler, modern filesystem to manage storage complete with VFS layer to abstract the FS structures on disk from the exposed APIs, supports a full driver stack to be sufficiently hardware independant, is portable accross multiple CPU architectures, has a full-on display server that's hardware accelerated, power management facilities, etc.. etc..

What is limited is not the Operating System itself, it's the developer's access to its internals and APIs. Apple exposes a very controlled set of APIs that doesn't permit exploiting the Operating System services that iOS has.
 
Digital Skunk said:
Or any keyboard for that matter.



The keyboard won't be backward thinking until there is a more efficient way of text and data input. Siri and S-Voice come close but even moderately efficient typists do better and with less time wasted backtracking to correct mistakes.

That's not even taking into consideration the noise level of a university library the during finals week. A large building full of people shouting into their tablets won't be great for concentration.
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KnightWRX said:
I didn't try to stab you, just pointing out that even Apple recognizes the value of offering a full physical keyboard as the on screen one isn't ideal to type for long periods while sitting at a desk. Looking down at the tablet laying flat on the desk is bad for your neck.

With productivity apps running on these tablets, a keyboard is almost mandatory. If you don't use them for productivity, don't use the keyboard. But don't knock it. It's an option, one that some people are happy to have.
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Great points by both of you.

I do use my iPad for productivity, just not in the sense that it involves much typing. I personally didn't see an issue with typing on the screen, However I am usually limited to posting like this, or a couple paragraphs for a quick website update. If I wasn't so involved with mobile AV work, or Photo editing with my iPad, I guess a Keyboard solution would have been a higher priority.

Sometimes it takes a view from an other prospective to see things more clearly.

That in mind, wonder how long until a 3rd party makes a BT Smart cover for the iPad that includes a keyboard?


dreadnort said:
what like the apple copied this design ?

http://thenextweb.com/apple/2012/03/30/this-is-the-tablet-from-1994-that-threw-a-wrench-in-apples-ipad-design-patent-defense/
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They obviously copied Star Trek TNG's Data Pad. ;)
 
Piggie said:
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.
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I think they should all have handles, suction cups and more magnets.

Ive is currently designing a big reusable tube of superglue, which will
affix the ipad in any position you like.
 
KnightWRX said:
Yep, just like

- Ping
- iDVD
- iWeb
- DVD Studio
- iDisk
- iWeb hosting

...

Or not. If the iPad hadn't been a hit, Apple would've dumped it as fast as Microsoft dumps non profitable products. It's called business sense.
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Is this a fair analogy? You mention software whereas he was talking about hardware. The Apple TV would seem the closer analogy, and even when that wasn't doing well Apple didn't drop it.

Update: Just read the iPod Hi-Fi example. That seems to conclusively establish the point.
 
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Im interested to see how this develops over the next few months. Competition is always welcome in my book.

I will say though, after watching the Microsoft keynote I'll never complain about an Apple keynote being bland. Everytime I expected the audience to get excited or let out even the quietest of whispering - there was silence. Im not sure if its because the people there really didnt care or if they just dont come to expect this from Microsoft.
 
So, $1299 for the PC version and $999 for the ARM version?
Plus keyboard for $99?
How much for the virus protection software subscription?
Then $199 for the next Windows upgrade?
 
Names?

For their own good, I hope they come up with better names to distinguish between the two! Surface for Windows 8 RT and Sufrace for Windows 8 Pro is just... dumb..

Maybe Surface vs Surface Pro? Or something like that? I don't know. :confused:
 
what is this exactly?!

If you need a laptop, you should buy a laptop with a proper keyboard and a decent performance, if you need a tablet, you should buy a light, easy to use tablet. This? I can't understand if this is a crappy laptop or a meshed up tablet?!?
 
saboteur said:
If you need a laptop, you should buy a laptop with a proper keyboard and a decent performance, if you need a tablet, you should buy a light, easy to use tablet. This? I can't understand if this is a crappy laptop or a meshed up tablet?!?
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This is the same old talking points, and it was addressed in the announcement. Balmer said Windows 8 was designed in such a way that the dichotomy no longer holds. I think we should wait and see how it turns out before judging.
 
This forum is just ridiculous and absurd.

Microsoft fans think that Apple fans will buy anything shiny with a cool ad. Microsoft releases something shiny with a cool ad.

Microsoft fans also think that 'peer pressure' about how 'great' this thing is will drive Apple fans to buy this item as well. That's why they've flooded this board with Surface posts.

Microsoft fans are wrong on both counts.

Microsoft fans really have no clue as to why the iPad is popular. The Surface tries to fix things with the iPad which are not broken. The iPad was designed the way it is. For example, it's not that the iPad's OS or processor can't handle a USB port, Apple designed the iPad to operate using the Cloud or AirPlay which are much nicer experiences. It's also a much nicer experience to lie back and read the iPad on a couch without having to whip out a keyboard to type something short. When would I _EVER_ use a kickstand? I've NEVER, in 2 years, propped my iPad up and tried to use it like a laptop.

Microsoft and its fans just don't get it. That's why technology is passing Microsoft by.
 
Even though the Surface is technically thinner than the current iPad the iPad will feel thinner because of the smooth tapered design. This goes to show that user experience will always trump specs.


Also did anyone else think the Surface video was a bit cheesy? For that matter why do most technology videos seem to be aimed towards teenagers? Which is funny because teenagers could never dream of affording any of these products.
 
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vincebio said:
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.
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Umm... it's the leading story on iClarified's home page too. :confused:
 

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JohnDoe98 said:
Is this a fair analogy? You mention software whereas he was talking about hardware. The Apple TV would seem the closer analogy, and even when that wasn't doing well Apple didn't drop it.

Update: Just read the iPod Hi-Fi example. That seems to conclusively establish the point.
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Products are products, be they software or hardware.
 
One way microsoft could make this popular in the work place is to bring Office out for these devices, withhold the iPad version.

Putting surface technology into a tablet is a natural progression. The keyboard is great - goes with you anywhere the device does but still have the option of using it like a regular tablet ( I'm assuming it will still have an on-screen keyboard ).

Interesting to see what the battery life, memory, price etc etc
 
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It looks good but I still see some shortfalls with it.

I think the smart-cover is a clever idea, but it would have to be sold with the tablet otherwise you would have no keyboard at all. Am I right?

Battery life on the Intel version will be like 4-6 hours which means it will spend a crazy amount of time connected to a wall socket. I'm expecting the RT version to be competitive with most other tablets.

First program (App) you will install on this is an Anti-Virus program. :D

It will probably sell but I don't see it outselling the iPad. People have wanted Windows in a iPad type device.

I see this product as a MK I device and therefore the people that buy it will be the Beta testers. If the device proves popular then I hope to see a revised model later.
 
jgg204 said:
judging from the number of people in here getting warnings from mods and the like, it becomes blatantly obvious that the very apple fanatics who spew crap about anything that's not made by apple, then ironically can't handle push back from people offering a different point of view (or pointing out the obvious).

most comments here have been "omg the new windows tablet looks so cheap, it's a copy off of the ipad, omg omg it looks like plastic"

then the reply --> it's built solid, it's not a copy off of the ipad in any regard except the generic black bezel that even apple didn't invent, and it offers innovative features that Apple left out of the iPad

sad

at this point, with 54 pages of garbage, can't we all just move on?
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Innovative features apple left out? Kickstand, USB, and SD card.

1 is a legacy item. And the other is laughable. I'll agree about the SD card, but it's inclusion is hardly innovative.

Apple has added a retina display and surface is decidedly lower resolution.
 
840quadra said:
Why is that?

Not disputing the possibility, however Apple (and Android for that matter) have a great start, with lots of developers having produced some good products already, with others announced.
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iOS and Android games have been mostly the 0.99$ affair though, hardly the complex games you see on PS3/Xbox/PC. Though I doubt Windows RT or Windows 8 on tablets will change that trend. Tablets are just big gameboys with limited controls.
 
Begs the question that I have asked since the 1st iPad was launched and we realised how cut down the OS is on Apple's tablet.

What will Apple do, in say 10 years time, when an iPad may be as fast as a current Macbook Pro/ iMac?

Are they going to continue to hobble their only tablet with iOS for ever, or wil the bring out a tablet then runs OSX.

It is has the power (which it will do by then) to run OSX easily, will apple never let it, and keep it locked down to simplified tablet apps?

I don't think so.

Also I think the Apple community would go ape with excitement is Apple did launch a OSX Tablet with removable/optional keyboard at some stage.

It is really dumb to need to buy and carry a Tablet and then also a Laptop to do the things the tablet is not allowed to.
 
The one thing I really wish the iPad had was some way to access a filing system. I'm away from home for 5 months at the moment doing research. I could have just brought my iPad for note-taking etc but no, I had to lug my old white MacBook around with me as a transfer device between my camera and an external hard drive, for all those thousands of RAW photos. This for me is one area in which this Surface beats the iPad.
 
JohnDoe98 said:
Is this a fair analogy? You mention software whereas he was talking about hardware. The Apple TV would seem the closer analogy, and even when that wasn't doing well Apple didn't drop it.

Update: Just read the iPod Hi-Fi example. That seems to conclusively establish the point.
Click to expand...

Still. In the past decade, has apple had a failure on the scale of the Zune?
 
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