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

[samcraig]

This forum is just ridiculous and absurd.



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.

Your post and bias or what can be perceived as bias is no better.

You seem to think your use case is the only viable use case. It's not.

IE - there are many times I would love to have been able to easily prop up my iPad to watch a movie. On a plane, on a night stand, on my desk at work

The cloud is great - but it doesn't solve everything. Having a physical port is very handy. Maybe not for you - but it is. If it was completely absurd and not needed - Apple wouldn't have created their camera kit, etc.

You say Microsoft and its fans don't get it. I'm not a fan. I'm not Microsoft. But it's very clear you don't get the industry or consumers at all.

 

[z3r0]

The HP TouchPad running WebOS was the only true competitor to the iPad.

It's too bad HP chickened out. It would had been interesting.

It took more than 2 years, but the iPad actually has some decent competition finally.

 

[user418]

Just read this. Not too shabby on Microsoft's part. As others have said pricing and battery life will play a large part in the success of this tablet. Folks are griping and dissing it but I see this as something to make all manufacturers step up their game and develop even better products for the masses.

If you build a better mousetrap they will come.......

 

[KnightWRX]

At least Apple does give us a release date for mobile devices and that is close enough for me personally.

Seems like the same delay as this "Surface" to me (5-6 monthish).

----------

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

You should have used the Kin.

But yes, they just get brushed under the carpet faster than you can say "bias". I think Ping pretty much trumps every failure out there. It's just one of those things.

 

[crs.one]

Your post and bias or what can be perceived as bias is no better.

But at least he's in the correct forum

 

[foodog]

That's what the iPad is missing. Vents and cooling fans.

A 3.5 inch floppy would be nice too

 

[KnightWRX]

IE - there are many times I would love to have been able to easily prop up my iPad to watch a movie. On a plane, on a night stand, on my desk at work

It seems Apple does to, what with the iPad dock, the Smart cover, etc... They just didn't want to build the leg into the tablet itself.

 

[ncaissie]

I like it. I hope the price is right, Battery is long lasting and they make plenty of apps.
I would get one as a second tablet.

 

[PracticalMac]

First time MS does all hardware itself for a productivity device, like Apple does.
Vindication

 

[foodog]

Seems like the same delay as this "Surface" to me (5-6 monthish).

----------



You should have used the Kin.

But yes, they just get brushed under the carpet faster than you can say "bias". I think Ping pretty much trumps every failure out there. It's just one of those things.

it is pretty worthless but Ping wasn't exactly what Apple hung its hat on. It was kinda like here is a new feature....

Microsoft has had multiple catastrophic fails the Zune being one they did put a lot of effort behind.

 

[bbeagle]

IE - there are many times I would love to have been able to easily prop up my iPad to watch a movie. On a plane, on a night stand, on my desk at work

You don't own an iPad - please don't lie. If you're having these 'difficulties', you've never thought of buying a $29 case to solve this? Really?

You say Microsoft and its fans don't get it. I'm not a fan. I'm not Microsoft. But it's very clear you don't get the industry or consumers at all.

I think I'm more in touch than you. The iPad is a success, and Microsoft's Surface will be a failure. It's not Apple fanboyism - it's just so obvious. You and Microsoft don't get what a tablet is.

 

[PracticalMac]

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.

Might be for you, but not for all.

This is a serious challenger, but I think Andriods will suffer most.

 

[mcsenerd]

Of course there's fear. The one thing that Apple fans fear is Microsoft.

Of course...I believe that feeling is mutual for MS fans... Who's pushing who here anyway?

I mean seriously...without emotion...who in their right mind could even slightly make the case that MS hasn't been riding on the Apple Envy train for years now... If anything this is almost to zenith of submission to the fact that the "Apple way" is winning for them, and for that...if I was Apple I'd be very flattered.

 

[crs.one]

[/COLOR]

You should have used the Kin.

But yes, they just get brushed under the carpet faster than you can say "bias". I think Ping pretty much trumps every failure out there. It's just one of those things.

Cute.

Lets put a metric on it. Ping did not cost apple near the amount of money that Zune cost Microsoft.

Ping was a failure, but was an auxiliary service/feature, whereas Zune was a product released in a competitive market that people paid money for

But yes, bias determines an opinion on which was a bigger failure. But it's just an opinion until you can argue that ping was a greater failure financially and as a core product.

 

[RMarch]

Apple is never afraid to cannibalize its products

Microsoft will have one HUGE advantage over the iPad: They don't have a laptop line to protect.

Apple is never afraid to cannibalize its products to jump ahead.

 

[crs.one]

Seems like the same delay as this "Surface" to me (5-6 monthish).

----------
.

Also, the past two iPads were released with less than a month delay. But by all means, use examples from five years ago.

Yes the OP made a mistake by saying "ships today." but a month lag is far better than not setting any goal whatsoever.

 

[mcsenerd]

First time MS does all hardware itself for a productivity device, like Apple does.
Vindication

You got that right...and I can't believe that there's not more notice of this during all of the chest pumping. This is almost certainly the closest thing to complete submission that you'll ever see from MS.

Other thing...at the end of the day...it's still just a PC in new clothing with all of the issues that come with a PC. I believe a device like this will sell pretty well though. Most certainly, Apple seems to be content with ceding the tinkerer/MakerFaire/hacker market to anyone else as that group rubs them raw anyway (I'd include myself in that group for the most mind you...). I also believe that this will be more of a competition for Android than iOS, but that's not so bad either. This is not like the birth of PCs for MS and to assume that it is by them or anyone is shortsighted. I believe that Google, MS and Apple are all strong companies and in the end...I don't really believe that this is a zero sum game anyway. In the end, I think it's likely that all will find some modicum of success...only at varying levels of profitability.

 

[Lindenhurst]

This is not an iPad competitor...it's an ultrabook competitor. This is perpetuation of the only game MS knows...traditional PCs...

doesn't remotely resemble a PC

 

[Macs4u]

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.

Your severely deluded. Apple didnt put a USB port on the iPad so it didnt compete with their macbook sales. Do you think Apple left out USB and USB powered keyboards/mice by accident?? NO they left it out so its a hobbled experience on purpose, to force people to shell out hundreds of pounds/dollars on the computers. Something the SURFACE has solved and im sure will put a big dent in iPad sales in the future!

 

[bbeagle]

This is a serious challenger, but I think Andriods will suffer most.

I don't see how the Surface will even COMPETE with Androids let alone the iPad.

Just why are Microsoft fans all gaga over tablets anyways? What is ANY advantage of the Surface over a thin laptop with a touchscreen? That you can CALL it a tablet and that makes it 'cool' according to Microsoft fans?

 

[KnightWRX]

it is pretty worthless but Ping wasn't exactly what Apple hung its hat on. It was kinda like here is a new feature....

Microsoft has had multiple catastrophic fails the Zune being one they did put a lot of effort behind.

Comparing Microsoft's and Apple's efforts on the Zune and Ping, I'd say they were pretty on par. It seems to me the Zune wasn't such a big endeavour on the part of Microsoft at all.

Try to be objective in all of this. Both companies make mistakes, both have successes. That's just the nature of running a business.

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Also, the past two iPads were released with less than a month delay. But by all means, use examples from five years ago.

I pointed that out last page.

Yes the OP made a mistake by saying "ships today."

Yep, and I showed him with a few examples of Apple not "shipping today".

but a month lag is far better than not setting any goal whatsoever.

Microsoft said it was shipping with Windows 8. Seems like a goal to me. And frankly, I think that tells us the hardware is ready, it's just waiting for the release of the software.

----------

Cute.

Lets put a metric on it. Ping did not cost apple near the amount of money that Zune cost Microsoft.

Ping was a failure, but was an auxiliary service/feature, whereas Zune was a product released in a competitive market that people paid money for

Can you provide citations for costs of operating the Ping service and the cost of the Zune vs the revenues it generated for both entities ?

Otherwise, you're showing bias in your opinion.

 

[mcsenerd]

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.

Just ask yourself...even if you add up all of the Apple stinkers, and there have been quite a few mind you (the Cube, Original Magic Mouse, Apple TV, Apple HiFi, etc.), do they even come close to the cash bleeding seen by MS from Zune, Kin, Windows Mobile, and even the almighty Xbox (and yes...they bled so much money during that war of attrition that they're still underwater even there...)?

I wouldn't call the Apple TV an unmitigated failure. It hasn't lost money for Apple at all, but it's just not an iPod/iPhone/iPad-type hit...heck...what is?

 

[foodog]

Comparing Microsoft's and Apple's efforts on the Zune and Ping, I'd say they were pretty on par. It seems to me the Zune wasn't such a big endeavour on the part of Microsoft at all.

Try to be objective in all of this. Both companies make mistakes, both have successes. That's just the nature of running a business.

We'll just have to agree to disagree. MS opened a music store, carpet bombed the airwaves with ads for the Zune. Apple just added a poorly though out feature to the existing iTunes app. Maybe the G4 cube and the Zune fail are on par.

 

[bbeagle]

Your severely deluded. Apple didnt put a USB port on the iPad so it didnt compete with their macbook sales. Do you think Apple left out USB and USB powered keyboards/mice by accident?? NO they left it out so its a hobbled experience on purpose, to force people to shell out hundreds of pounds/dollars on the computers. Something the SURFACE has solved and im sure will put a big dent in iPad sales in the future!

You have no clue. Apple wanted people to get used to a 'new experience' of using the touchscreen, and not use a MOUSE (SERIOUSLY????) on a tablet.

And would you bet on a new competitor who 'SOLVED' adding a USB port (which Android competition has had for years), or a competitor with a stranglehold on the market that can easily add a USB port to the next iPad if they so choose.

Apple also CHOSE to not support flash. You can run flash on the iPad by using apps in the app store which support flash. So it's not something that iOS can't do - it's something Apple chose to avoid to make a better experience.

 

[samcraig]

But at least he's in the correct forum

Are you sure? I mean, yes, this article was posted on MacRumors - but it's not an Apple story, now is it? It's a Microsoft story. And I believe the subhead to the site says "news and rumors you care about." - I'm pretty sure that means that people who love tech - in general - are all in the "correct" forum.

You don't own an iPad - please don't lie. If you're having these 'difficulties', you've never thought of buying a $29 case to solve this? Really?


I think I'm more in touch than you. The iPad is a success, and Microsoft's Surface will be a failure. It's not Apple fanboyism - it's just so obvious. You and Microsoft don't get what a tablet is.

I own two iPads. And I never said it was a difficulty and I have a case for the iPad. You missed the point entirely. Let me spell it out for you - You keep adding up all the extras you need for the iPad to get the same functionality as this new tablet and the price of the iPad isn't as sexy. Even if it's a minor "spec" like a kickstand - these can be some nice extras without having to pay more for the "luxury."

I find it hilarious that you believe the Surface will be a failure without using it and without any real market data to go by. That kind of statement IS Apple fanboyism. It's not obvious. If it were OBVIOUS - there wouldn't be so many people in this thread (even) who are interested in checking it out. Nor would Microsoft release a product that was OBVIOUSLY (as you put it) going to fail. Again - you show how little you know about marketing and consumers.

I guess you don't know what good choice in the marketplace is. That's cool. Keep your head in the sand.