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

[AustinIllini]

Wow! If the keyboard works as I (we?) hope, this is gonna be a huge succes!

If it doesn't work well, a big failure.

This is a knife-edge-case.

I agree with this. All or nothing on that keyboard. it's either awesome or terrible.

 

[foodog]

So, you have already used one then...?

Don't let facts like this get in the way of a good story ;-)

 

[deasterling]

This device is way better than the new iPad.

"Of course, they're not on the market today either,...
Microsoft still isn't ready to let Joe Public get their grubby little hands on Surface. At the press event, we were given a number of demonstrations, shown a number of non-functional demo units, and given scant few seconds to touch real working devices. The Intel Core i5-powered Surface for Windows 8 Pro devices were not on display, either; only the ARM-powered Surface for Windows RT was available"

Peter Bright, http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/06/a-first-look-and-feel-of-microsofts-first-pc/

 

[e-coli]

No, YOU have no clue! Apple could have easily included a USB port but they chose not to. They could easily choose usbhost but they chose not to. They could easily have included a file system, they chose not to. And these omissions are all for the aesthetics?? Get a grip. Its to stop people buying an ipad, connecting a mouse, keyboard, external hard drive and using it as a pc. Get a grip of reality!

Because it isn't a PC.

Get a MBA if you want a PC. Two totally different animals my friend.

 

[VenusianSky]

Looks interesting. Looking forward to see the price. However, I am more interested in a full Windows 8 x64 laptop with removable tablet display. Don't think Microsoft will be making those.

I like my iPad, but I will probably want a Windows 8 tablet as well. I will look into a Windows 8 laptop/tablet for work when they become available. Both Microsoft and Apple are incredible technology companies. 🙂

 

[dccorona]

it looks nice. i like the idea of the keyboard built into the magnetic cover however that cover design is clearly stolen from apple. does apple hold a patent on that. it seems like such a blatent rip off.

No. Apple weren't the first to have accessories attach by magnets. They patented the segmented design of the cover, not the magnetic attachment. They may have also patented the magnet to sleep/wake, but I'm not sure on that one

 

[DingleButt]

Quick Clearup for some people here:

There are two versions:

ARM

• Runs Windows RT (new Metro Apps and Microsoft Office RT dekstop apps. Doesnt support "legacy" desktop apps otherwise. Has Office RT built in.)
• NVIDIA Tegra
• 9.3mm
• Vapor magnesium body
• Under 1.5lb
• 768x1366
• USB 2.0
• No fans

Pro (Intel)

• Runs Windows 8 (all Windows Desktop and Metro Apps)
• Intel Core i5
• 13.5mm
• Vapor magnesium body
• Unblockable edge fans
• 1080p
• USB 3.0

Each can use either the Touch Cover Keyboard or the Type Cover Keyboard

Touch Cover

• 3mm
• Pressure Sensitive
• Accelerometer
• Tap-able touchpad
• Pressure sensitive so it doesnt fire keys when resting your fingers
• Textured surface and slightly raised keys

Type Cover

• 5mm
• Real keyboard keys that depress
• Accelerometer
• Click-able clickpad

 

[LagunaSol]

Ah, I love the consistency at MacRumors. When anything new from Google or Microsoft is announced, 1) eight-thousand Captains Obvious arrive to remind us that Competition Is Good, and 2) anyone who dares point out any potential or perceived flaw in said Google or Microsoft product is instantly down-voted.

This place is becoming a lot like Engadget. 🙄

 

[redkamel]

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?

you could, except iphoto is free, has robust support/integration and is certainly not "feature deficient" for the general populace when compared to third party apps. Bloatware is usually a trial with no support and has bad support.

I actually open garageband about once a month to make free ringtones. A lot of kids at my old high school who have bands use garageband to mix songs.

 

[840quadra]

Riddle me this:

When Apple creates a keyboard cover, and releases it for purchase in September 2012, BEFORE the keyboard cover for the Surface is available to purchase....

Who is copying who?

LOL 😀

They currently exist for the iPad via 3rd party. Perhaps not as elegant, but they are in the wild.

http://www.officedepot.com/a/produc...pe=pla&mr:ad=22395426956&mr:keyword={keyword}

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007C0Y8NQ...nd=9333676541810984655&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=

 

[spinedoc77]

This is a dream come true. Ever since I picked up a mobile windows handheld device and hacked it with a 1xrt sprint CF card and made a phone out of it I've always wanted to carry around some kind of windows experience.

Apple makes incredible hardware, and I'll always remember them as the incredibly genius company who released the ipad. But in terms of software they've never been my cup of tea, making things too simplistic for no good reason in iOS. They've made a huge amount of money from keeping iOS hamstrung and stuck in the past and it's good to see Microsoft give them a kick in the pants. I will bet that with a full version of Windows on a tablet Apple is going to finally realize they need to beef up iOS. The surface reads like a long list of the obvious stuff that Apple refused to put into the ipad, stylus and handwriting recognition, a keyboard solution, a full OS, USB, microSD, etc., all in a hardware package which so far is being reported to be as good as the ipads.

My only concern at this point is battery life, that would definitely be the make or break for me. I have quite grown used to 10+ hours and not having to worry about battery life anymore and don't think I could ever go back to the laptop days when I'd always be hunting for an outlet.

 

[SPUY767]

But that is the problem with an On Screen Keyboard.
It's a very poor idea and only done as a compromise.

Why would you want to cover almost half your screen with your input device ever?

On screen keyboards that cover the area you are working on are just a thing we have to put up with, not something that's good.

I'm not saying that an On Screen keyboard isn't a compromise, I'm just saying that the thin one built into the cover is not that much better other than not taking up screen real estate. The thick one might be marginally better, but at what point do you just carry around a real BT keyboard.

 

[Dr McKay]

Do you know what a vent means for the user experience?
-Well 3 hours of battery life, MAX
-an inefficient OS that clearly requires a lot of power for very little.
-vents also allow more dust and outside contaminants to get into the inside of the device.

Call me a fanboy because I see the future of tablets as being optimized for a touch screen input and having very power efficient processors. Oh and your jokes are tacky.

But I must say this is a very interesting windows computer ;p

Battery life is listed at 7 hours, only the Pro version requires a vent because Intel Chips get hot, the Tegra version does not need a vent. ARM Windows 8 tablets will be power efficient.

 

[bbeagle]

No, YOU have no clue! Apple could have easily included a USB port but they chose not to. They could easily choose usbhost but they chose not to. They could easily have included a file system, they chose not to. And these omissions are all for the aesthetics?? Get a grip. Its to stop people buying an ipad, connecting a mouse, keyboard, external hard drive and using it as a pc. Get a grip of reality!

I guess Apple removed all those options from it's iPOD, too, for the same reasons?

A toaster and an oven can do the same things, but I'd like to have BOTH in my kitchen. Same with an iPad and a laptop - I'd like BOTH for different reasons.

Making me toast bread in my oven is just wrong, and that's what Microsoft is doing.

 

[spinedoc77]

Battery life is listed at 7 hours, only the Pro version requires a vent because Intel Chips get hot, the Tegra version does not need a vent. ARM Windows 8 tablets will be power efficient.

7 hours for the Pro one, or the RT? I'd be surprised if they were had the same battery life. 7 hours for the pro would be great, I'd be curious if that's 7 hours of really pushing the hardware. The ipad seems to still have great battery life even when it's being pushed.

 

[crs.one]

You're entitled to your opinion, but you need to admit to your subjectivity. Also, you're not entitled to your own facts. Again, there is no data showing what the Zune cost Microsoft vs what Ping cost Apple.

Entitled to your own facts. Clever turn of a phrase!

You are the only one who has not admitted any subjectivity

And no, nobody has done a study on whether the Zune or ping hemmoraged more money. You're absolutely correct.

But humor me and take an educated guess

 

[the read]

This Microsoft device will fail. It runs microsft OS.

To be fair the iPad also has so many limitations across the device, it's become a tool I play with but cannot depend on.

The Mac air still is the best tool for around portability, performance and flexibility.

To be honest I'm also disappointed with the new apple line up. I was expecting the new Mac pro and air not only to increase in screen res, but also have touch screen ability built in. Disappointing to see apple only managing to put a bigger screen on the 15" pro.

Lame...

 

[Technarchy]

You have no clue what you are talking about.

And i find it adorable.


Anyway there is a Windows Phone 8 preview tomorrow, and based on all rumors Windows Phone 8 will be sharing the same kernel as Windows 8.

Very informative retort...

There is still no answer about apps working between x86 desktop, x86 tablet, ARM tablet and ARM phone.

 

[840quadra]

This is a dream come true. Ever since I picked up a mobile windows handheld device and hacked it with a 1xrt sprint CF card and made a phone out of it I've always wanted to carry around some kind of windows experience.

Apple makes incredible hardware, and I'll always remember them as the incredibly genius company who released the ipad. But in terms of software they've never been my cup of tea, making things too simplistic for no good reason in iOS. They've made a huge amount of money from keeping iOS hamstrung and stuck in the past and it's good to see Microsoft give them a kick in the pants. I will bet that with a full version of Windows on a tablet Apple is going to finally realize they need to beef up iOS. The surface reads like a long list of the obvious stuff that Apple refused to put into the ipad, stylus and handwriting recognition, a keyboard solution, a full OS, USB, microSD, etc., all in a hardware package which so far is being reported to be as good as the ipads.

My only concern at this point is battery life, that would definitely be the make or break for me. I have quite grown used to 10+ hours and not having to worry about battery life anymore and don't think I could ever go back to the laptop days when I'd always be hunting for an outlet.

A full OS on a portable device is the past, not iOS or Android. The past has proven that a full OS on a tablet device is not a great fit, and also causes issues that you are concerned about. Battery life.

They may be in the wrong, but Google (Android) and Apple (iOS) have bet on a system that has primary full screen applications, with their own version of task switching. Full windows OS tablets have and do exist alongside these options, however that model isn't selling as well. Perhaps Windows 8, and a slightly different outlook on the historic Microsoft operating system will be the ideal hit. Only time, and testing will tell us.

I too will be curious to see how well these devices do, and how well they work. I welcome the competition, and also, a potential option for my mobile computing needs. Having VAG-COM (A automotive diagnostic tool) on a tablet such as the slate would be a nice addition to the shop I help support (IT Services).

 

[hayesk]

No. Apple weren't the first to have accessories attach by magnets. They patented the segmented design of the cover, not the magnetic attachment. They may have also patented the magnet to sleep/wake, but I'm not sure on that one

Recall that the G5 iMac and white Intel iMacs used magnets to store the remote control on the side of the screen.

I don't know who used magnets to attach accessories before that. Not saying nobody did, just I don't know who.

 

[brdeveloper]

I agree with you that Metro looks like a nice step forward. Windows 8 isn't that, though. Under the hood it has a lot of the same problems (e.g. the Registry still exists). And at the moment a lot of the control panels are only accessible using the old control panel interface. While it has a lot of the kludge feel of the Classic OS to OS X transition with the mixing of UIs Metro isn't nearly separated enough from the old.

(Been using the Windows 8 previews and it frustrates me because I see what it could be but they're holding back.)

I don't see any advantage in OSX with its "defaults" obscure command. Windows registry at least can be read and written in a Finder-like interface, more straightforward than a command-line utility.

 

[hayesk]

honest I'm also disappointed with the new apple line up. I was expecting the new Mac pro and air not only to increase in screen res, but also have touch screen ability built in. Disappointing to see apple only managing to put a bigger screen on the 15" pro.

If you were expecting that, then you were deluding yourself. A desktop OS is not optimized for touch input, and you get gorilla arms trying to use it. Even on a laptop. Touch works better for devices you hold.

 

[geniusj]

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

That might not be a bad thing. I have a new iPad and struggle to find applications for it. Certain apps like Flipboard flourish on it, but for many apps, the iPad feels trapped in no-mans land for me. That is, it's not portable like a smart phone, nor is it nearly as functional as a laptop. Given a choice between, say, a MacBook Air and and iPad, the choice would be an obvious one for me.

So, I'd like to see Microsoft and whoever else explore this middle ground and see if they can find the right formula to make it work. One other nice thing about this device is that one of them is able to run full on windows apps if needed. That's a nice bonus. The major downside to the device though, is that there aren't a ton of metro apps out right now.

 

[Mike Valmike]

But in terms of software they've never been my cup of tea, making things too simplistic for no good reason in iOS.

The words of a man who has obviously never been the tech support source for his elderly parents.

If I could install iOS on their iMac, I would. Even OS X somehow manages to mystify them, but their eyesight is failing so the iMac screen is a must. Their VCR blinks 12:00 too. I got rid of it once, but they just bought another. These people are out there. There are millions upon millions of them. And they want to use the techy-slick-gizzy-doos but simply wouldn't know where to start in terms of learning what they need to know to use them. My two-year-old can use an Apple TV with ease, but her grandmother struggles to get it to do anything. ("Where's the clicker? How do I put on channel ten?")

I don't think it's possible for technology to be so simple that there's no good reason for it to be.

 

[spinedoc77]

A full OS on a portable device is the past, not iOS or Android. The past has proven that a full OS on a tablet device is not a great fit, and also causes issues that you are concerned about. Battery life.

They may be in the wrong, but Google (Android) and Apple (iOS) have bet on a system that has primary full screen applications, with their own version of task switching. Full windows OS tablets have and do exist alongside these options, however that model isn't selling as well. Perhaps Windows 8, and a slightly different outlook on the historic Microsoft operating system will be the ideal hit. Only time, and testing will tell us.

I too will be curious to see how well these devices do, and how well they work. I welcome the competition, and also, a potential option for my mobile computing needs. Having VAG-COM (A automotive diagnostic tool) on a tablet such as the slate would be a nice addition to the shop I help support (IT Services).

I don't think so. This whole "3rd device" or whatever Jobs called it wasn't optimal IMO, it was to sell more devices and not infringe on their PC business. I'd rather have a tablet that WAS my laptop when I sat down, than a tablet with a completely different OS which required me to still have a laptop.

The era of watered down OS' such as Android and iOS to me seems like it was a temporary solution while hardware caught up with software. If Microsoft can pull off a full OS, and make it work as a touchscreen tablet, and keep the battery life close to today's tablets I think people are going to flock to it. There is just WAY too much that I cannot do on the ipad, as much as I completely love it, it's still a compromise.

But as you say, competition is great. What I expect to see is Apple realize they need to give iOS more functionality. In the end this is most definitely a good thing for the next ipad.