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

[APlotdevice]

I expect to see Windows ARM binaries for open-source apps like Apache, MySQL, PHP, Netbeans, Gimp, Cygwin and so on. This will be the end of easy-development, toy-apps, currently made for tablets.

iOS's app distribution model has apparently been what has kept many open source applications from reaching the platform. Evidentially it's just not compatible with the terms of the GNU General Public License. This could also be a problem for Windows RT, which is similarly locked down to the "Windows Store".

 

[NorEaster]

lol Hell no, Not with windows 8 running on that. Your forgetting the ecosystem of apps you need to enjoy a tablet

Umm... I think you're forgetting that there already IS an eco-system of apps for Windows. It includes software like Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook for productivity. It includes Windows Media Player (or VLC, which is so much better) and Internet Explorer for media consumption. Yes, I know that some of these apps will need to be ported for the ARM-based tablets, but let's be honest... this porting will happen. And these apps are already available for the Intel-based tablets.

The back-and-forth arguments on this thread crack me up. It's clear that MS is going for the "tablet as both a media consumption and productivity device" strategy vs. Apple's "table as mainly a media consumption device with some light consumer-oriented productivity" strategy. And you know what? That's OK. There's actually room for both, believe it or not.

Being an "enterprise" user, I'd love to have a device that I can use at home to effectively review Office documents, edit them, email/share them (ie, the "working after dinner" scenario) and then switch to watching a TV show on it or reading my favorite book in bed later. The MS tablets seem like they would be great for me.

And my wife would love to have a device where she can browse her websites, look up recipes, read books, and email/twitter her friends...and the iPad works great for her.

So what's the big deal with all of the barbs and hate being thrown around?

 

[Codyak]

The resolution is probably 1366x768. The chip is a Tegra. Thus it's a pretty standard tablet, and hardware feature-wise, there's little to distinguish this tablet from other Windows 8 tablets other than the kickstand. It's all about the kickstand and the keyboard. But then again, we already do have the Asus Transformer so it'll be interesting to see how they fare against each other.

The ARM version is listed as "HD" and the Pro (Intel) is listed as "Full HD". So probably you are right with 720p and 1080p respectively.

 

[brdeveloper]

Sound like your wife never really wanted an iPad but more of an Air? If she is typing that much and needs a mouse then tablet paradigm is silly.

I do not see the need to run a full OS but I do see people who should be using a Laptop but decided on something else. No OS X on iPad ever, but iPad like function on OS X sure I can see that. Still your hopes of OS X on iPad tells me your a MS Windows user at heart and probably don't own an iPad at all. Oh the Behavior of people is so funny.

Apple has done so well because they know their clients and its not Bloatware bug infected Corp. IT which I work with all the time. MS on the other hand knows their clients also and its not consumers.

Perhaps you like to spend money in almost redundant hardware. I'd love an iPad+MacbookAir+phone in the same case.

 

[NIKKG]

What cool about this is that it can probably be a serious pc/laptop replacement for many people, especially the traveling business crowd. Just having a real Microsoft Office on it makes it a winner. Also Windows 8 has flash support. You can probably install real printer drivers on this too and print on any printer. Really, for light users, this is all they need to have. Hopefully now Apple will take this as a serious threat and compete harder.

 

[NAG]

Certified for Windows Vista? Last time I herd of that title.

No what I meant was this time around MS is taking a page out of Apple playbook and would seem that they are not going to really put a lot off effort on 3rd party hardware caring this forward. They really don't want this to fail because it opens a lot of doors for Apple in the IT departments of large companies. This is all about Corp. IT and has nothing at all to do with consumers which MS for the most part could care less.

Follow the money and you know who has the executives ears.

Eh? I'm lost. I thought we were discussing Microsoft screwing OEMs. PlaysForSure was a huge one (killed by the Zune).

iOS's app distribution model has apparently been what has kept many open source applications from reaching the platform. Evidentially it's just not compatible with the terms of the GNU General Public License. This could also be a problem for Windows RT, which is similarly locked down to the "Windows Store".

Wait, I thought Apache wasn't GNU (although it is compatible).

 

[aaronvan]

The "Surface?" What a terrible name! I though M$ were marketing geniuses?

 

[kiljoy616]

Okay this was funny! And as interesting as all the speculation is, Windows 8 running Word on a tablet is only attractive if it runs it well, if the hardware is up to it. I have seen netbooks choke due to lack of hardware specs. Hard to imagine it will work here, but I am waiting for people to actually have one in their hands.

I am waiting to see how hot this thing runs and how long the battery last.

This is why I keep wondering what bloatware they will push on consumers.

 

[linux2mac]

Now running Windows 8 "Metro-bright" edition

Hmmm.....Can't decide which one I like better.

 

[kiljoy616]

The "Surface?" What a terrible name! I though M$ were marketing geniuses?

Maybe they where thinking of "drowning" when they where thinking this tablet up?

----------

Hmmm.....Can't decide which one I like better.

Image

The red one always get the red one. It even says Magic on it.

 

[Anthony0224]

Hackintosh???

Anyone think this thing will be able to be hackintoshed to put OSX on it??? How sick would it be to have a tablet this thin running OSX? I realize the air is extremely thin, but i still think this would be a pretty neat idea!

 

[NAG]

Anyone think this thing will be able to be hackintoshed to put OSX on it??? How sick would it be to have a tablet this thin running OSX? I realize the air is extremely thin, but i still think this would be a pretty neat idea!

Probably be a nightmare. OS X isn't optimized for touch screens let alone small touch screens.

 

[kiljoy616]

Eh? I'm lost. I thought we were discussing Microsoft screwing OEMs. PlaysForSure was a huge one (killed by the Zune).



Wait, I thought Apache wasn't GNU (although it is compatible).

Sorry misunderstood the reference, yes you are correct missed the Zune fiasco.

 

[G5isAlive]

why would you ever want vents? This is a tablet. There should be no vents. Wait I forgot, you need vents because it's very un-pc if it didn't have any.

My laptop blows out hot air. I don't think my iPad should do the same.

most noters blow out hot air. A required vent says all sorts of negative things about power consumption, short battery life, and having to take care with how it is handled (don't cover the vents) and how hot it must get (cover your lap). A vent on a tablet sounds more like a table without legs. Maybe it can keep your breakfast warm too?

 

[kiljoy616]

Serious businesses know when it is serious business. That is why they use an under-specced device with unknown battery life to do their serious business. Swear words!



Probably be a nightmare. OS X isn't optimized for touch screens let alone small touch screens.

What?

 

[NorEaster]

I am waiting to see how hot this thing runs and how long the battery last.

This is why I keep wondering what bloatware they will push on consumers.

MS isn't responsible for the bloatware...it's the manufacturers like Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.

And you don't think there isn't bloatware in Macs? I could argue apps like iPhoto or iChat are bloatware, considering how feature-deficient they are when compared to other 3rd party apps (how many ppl on this board actually use iChat compared to Pidgin, Trillian, or another IM app)? And when was the last time you launched Garage Band on your Mac?

 

[rowspaxe]

ipad pro?

This tablet meets many things I have wanted in a tablet since ipad1--true x86 os to run desktop apps and a wacom pen for drawing and math. I like the keyboard cover--it seems less cludgey than detachable clam shell. And yes-a real file system! I know ipad enthusiasts extoll the virtues of the app based file system, but I have always hated it. .

Also, since this is a full win implementation, I can stay in the itunes ecosystem. I lose access to my apps--but I am happy to make this trade off.

That said, I would welcome an ipad pro, and hope apple raises the bar.

 

[G5isAlive]

For all the douche bags trashing the trackpad, they are goddamn genius for putting that in. Have you considered the pro version allows you to run any windows app? Who would want to use visual studio with a touch screen? Who can do any serious pro photo editing with a touch screen? It's the best of both worlds you morons.

I think anyone who thinks these things will have serious enough horse power to run full applications at anything meaningful in terms of speed is the real moron here.

 

[kiljoy616]

most noters blow out hot air. A required vent says all sorts of negative things about power consumption, short battery life, and having to take care with how it is handled (don't cover the vents) and how hot it must get (cover your lap). A vent on a tablet sounds more like a table without legs. Maybe it can keep your breakfast warm too?

There is the "fry your food" as you work add-on.

 

[NAG]

What?

The curtains.

 

[APlotdevice]

Wait, I thought Apache wasn't GNU (although it is compatible).

Well no, but software like Apache runs foul with Apple's app store license itself. Unfortunately apps are not allowed to execute downloaded code. However I believe RT again has the same restriction.

 

[NorEaster]

most noters blow out hot air. A required vent says all sorts of negative things about power consumption, short battery life, and having to take care with how it is handled (don't cover the vents) and how hot it must get (cover your lap). A vent on a tablet sounds more like a table without legs. Maybe it can keep your breakfast warm too?

If a vent says all sorts of negative things about power consumption, how should I interpret my iPad shutting down on me because it's too warm when I use it outside on a summer day (note, I live in the north east part of the US, where temperatures don't typically rise above 90 degrees F)?

Would an iPad that has shutdown due to heat be equivalent to a table without legs? I guess I could use the iPad as a mini-table right?

 

[Wiesi24]

Microsoft's presentation seemingly made an impact here, with more comments to this article than any WWDC article.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

The "Surface?" What a terrible name! I though M$ were marketing geniuses?

"Hey man, can you remember what year this film was made?"

 

[The Tech Fish]

So essentially they have just made a touch screen laptop.... They just don't get it do they!