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

[JayJayAbels]

Looks really cool - no doubt about that. Obviously it takes its inspiration from the iPad but goes further with its design. The keyboard is a great "touch" as is the built in stand.

But those 2 things alone won't "future proof" this new product line.

It comes down to 2 main things...

1. Pricing. They'll have to match the new iPads pricing scheme to make this competitive. Anything $800 or beyond is entering ultrabook/notebook territory and it's crowded there already.

2. I can see many people buying this for school etc (so long as the price is competitive) but what REALLY counts is the "ecosystem" - for the long run. With an established marketplace Apple has a ridiculous advantage in that department. If Microsoft can't match that type of environment for the end user... people will flock to a product that does. Apps are the "legs" of products like these. With little choice... customers will eventually abandon this product for one that gives them more.

I think, initially, this will do well but wouldn't be surprised to see it die out if Microsoft doesn't supply the proper "playground" to keep the end user engaged and invested.

 

[Anti-Lucifer]

those of you praising this ad and the new windows fail RT is just full of bologna.

There is exactly ZERO indication of how it runs, how well it performs, the screen quality, the apps, the battery life, the materials used, NOTHING in regards to what the hell the ad is showcasing; except that it's a thick piece of screen that's seems so heavy, it needs a kickstand.

This ad showcases nothing but a piece of boxy metal with a lid, kickstand, simulated screen, and a keyboard built into the cover.

How do you claim this is competition to an iPad?

 

[DougB541]

What does it cost? How long does the battery last? What apps are available? when will it ship Sounds like you don't know **** yet.

IF you are using Windows 8 consumer preview you have a good idea what apps are out there already.

 

[Medic311]

honestly these tablets look sick (and that's coming from an iPad owner).
i'm looking forward to trying one out, especially that detachable keyboard with the trackpad

 

[nfl46]

Nice!

1366x768 screen resolution.

 

[theelysium]

Surface for Windows RT tablet
Processor: NVIDIA-made ARM chip
Weight: 676 grams
Thickness: 9.3 millimeters
Display: 10.6-inch ClearType HD capactive touchpanel
Battery: 31.5Wh
I/O: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2x2 MIMO antennae
Software: Windows RT + Office Home & Student 2013 RT
Accessories: Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand
Capacity: 32GB / 64GB
Availability: "Around" the Windows 8 launch (fall 2012)
Pricing: To be determined


Surface for Windows 8 Pro tablet
Processor: Intel Core i5 (Ivy Bridge)
Weight: 903 grams
Thickness: 13.5 millimeters
Display: 10.6-inch ClearType Full HD (1080p) capactive touchpanel
Battery: 42Wh
I/O: microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, 2x2 MIMO antennae
Software: Windows 8 Pro
Accessories: Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand, Pen with Palm Block
Capacity: 64GB / 128GB
Availability: "Three months after" the Windows 8 launch this fall
Pricing: To be determined


Stop trolling

Suck it. In the live feed they were quoted saying total thickness 17 mm.

Get off my bridge!

 

[KnightWRX]

People are getting too wound up in the "Competition is good for us!" BS.

Apple innovates regardless, its shown time and time again. What would ACTUALLY benefit the consumer is if Apples competition decided to innovate instead of constantly releasing copycat products that are 1 - 2 years behind.

Yeah, if only Apple's competition didn't just play catch up with versions 4, 5 and 6 of their iOS... err... oh wait.

 

[ppnkg]

this is impressive. Not sure about the form factor and of course the ipad still has the edge because of IOs apps. I wonder if apple could follow microsoft re keyboard on smart cover, it makes a great difference in situations where you need to use a keyboard.

 

[DougB541]

those of you praising this ad and the new windows fail RT is just full of bologna.

There is exactly ZERO indication of how it runs, how well it performs, the screen quality, the apps, the battery life, the materials used, NOTHING in regards to what the hell the ad is showcasing; except that it's a thick piece of screen that's seems so heavy, it needs a kickstand.

This ad showcases nothing but a piece of boxy metal with a lid, kickstand, simulated screen, and a keyboard built into the cover.

How do you claim this is competition to an iPad?

Cause we read the event and know

1. Its not heavy, they gave the weight.
2. They are doing hands on RIGHT NOW.
3. Simulated Screen? You know you can play with windows 8 right now right? RIght?


Man...

 

[Chrisg2014]

that's true! it will be a major failure like zune or the XBOX!!!... compared to the huge success of apple with the iPod Shuffle without buttons, the round mice and the "game changing" social network Ping.

the good thing about fanboys is that they're always showing off their infinite stupidity.

I want to believe this tablet will be a true competitor to the iPad... the world full of sheep following every apple command is becoming sooo boring.

Let's bring something new for a change.

The Xbox is a fail? The Xbox is one of the most purchased gaming systems out there. Plus they have exclusive games and DLC that people ACTUALLY WANT before other gaming systems. Do you research next time before you post... You must be an AppleFan boy, like you stated above how fanboys are. Oh irony

 

[Rot'nApple]

Some of you guys on here are pretty sad. I love apple. I use an iPhone, iPad, and have a new MacBook Pro retina. I also have several windows pcs. Some of you are dismissing this just because it is from Microsoft. First off, it is a very cool product. The windows rt version will hopefully give the iPad a run for its money. We all know the tablet space needs some competition. Right now it's just apple competing with themselves.

If apple would have came out and announced this exact tablet with iOS you would all be talking how incredible and innovative it is.

It doesn't hurt to look at the competition sometimes.

I think so many here "mock" MS precisely because of your last statement... "It doesn't hurt to look at the competition sometimes."

MS looked at Apple for their store design, employee uniforms, and even store location. They looked at the iPod and iTunes Music Store and said 'meh' and came out with the Zune and the Marketplace. They laughed at, then looked at the iPhone and when the Kin flopped, partnered with Nokia and a new mobile OS and came out with Lumina. Then the iPad came out, MS killed off "Courier" went back to drawing board and came out with this new tablet defying all the previous 'tablets' they made prior and gave it a keyboard smart cover with magnets. Heck even Ballmers quote seems mighty familiar with 'the intersection of humanities and technology' thing Steve Jobs used to say.

It would be helpful in quelling the commenters, whom you call sad, if just every now and then, MS showed the way versus being shown the way. .02¢ worth
/
/
/

 

[jbtphotos]

Seriously....who cares about this? Day late - 300 billion dollars short. (as of today's close)

 

[Krazy Bill]

I don't understand all the kickstand bashing. All tablets should have this.

It would be helpful in quelling the commenters, whom you call sad, if just every now and then, MS showed the way versus being shown the way.

But who really gives a rat's arse? 10 years from now nobody will care who was "first".

 

[theelysium]

Seriously....who cares about this? Day late - 300 billion dollars short. (as of today's close)

Zune part 2

 

[bbeagle]

I'm amazed at all the windows fanboys on here.

This machine is nothing what I desire a tablet for. I need something to sit back on the couch with and read a book or surf the internet. I don't need or want a seperate keyboard.

I use a tablet to RELAX - not do any intensive work. I don't get this product at all.

 

[slimbek]

Microsoft have made a fantastic effort on this... it looks shiny and nice - and I can't wait for the competition to heat up!!
There is plenty of innovation here that should challenge Apple to move further... I reckon Apple have sat on their behinds a little and been riding the iPad wave.

Hopefully this kicks iPad 4 into high gear for next March!


But it's still not a competition until it's truly sitting on the shelf next to the iPad.

 

[mcsenerd]

No.

Microsoft is hoping for a Grand Slam with this product. But, unless I'm much mistaken, they've managed (at best) a sacrifice fly. Its a shame, because MS has done some cool things with these products (there's one problem..more on that later) and they are to be applauded for not simply slavishly copying the iPad the way some companies (cough, cough, Samsung) have done. But there are some real problems.

1) Price. "Competitive with other tablets" means starting at $500. But the fact that Microsoft didn't come out and say exactly when the things were going on sale, and for how much, is an indication that it a) won't be soon and b) is likely to be more than the $500 of the intro iPad.

2) Retail. There is now a worldwide network of Apple stores, perfectly set up to demonstrate and sell the latest Apple products. Microsoft has, at most, a handful of retail stores. Instead, the heavy-lifting of selling the Surface is going to be left to the delights of Best Buy and PC World. Good luck with that.

3) Bifurcation. We consumers are simple folk. And too much choice confuses and scares us. And so bringing out both Intel and ARM versions of this device, at wildly different price points, and with wildly different capabilities, is going to confuse a lot of people. Do I need a $1200 Surface version of an iMac or do I need a $600 Surface version of the iPad? One name - two products. Not a good idea from a marketing standpoint.

4) Software. If MS is hoping to steal consumers away from the iPad, they left one huge topic completely off the Agenda today: Apps. There are now over 200,000 iPad-optimized Apps, with a healthy developer/consumer ecosystem growing like a weed. Unless Microsoft can make the Surface ($600 ARM version) appealing to the developer community, its going to be plagued by the same lack of software that has relegated the Mac to perpetual after-ran status in the PC market.

5) Size: Lets just say this one more time: The widescreen 10.1 inch form factor is horrible to carry. Looks goofy in portrait mode. And doesn't fit well in backpacks. Its good for ONE thing, watching movies.

On the plus side? The kickstand is a neat addition, but not a deal maker. The stylus integration is nice, but it (apparently) only works on the $1200 version.

The Surface will probably sell in the millions. But the problem (and why I described it as a sacrifice-fly) is that these sales will essentially cannibalize PC sales. People will buy a Surface instead of a new PC. Maybe not a disaster for Microsoft, but hardly a threat to Apple.

Excellent post and I'm of almost identical mind... I don't really know if MS can get out of its own way though. They're so big and they've got so many different masters to please...and they always try to please them all (or piss them all off equally). Even if there are contingents of intelligent, gifted, visionary people in the company there are as many that are on the opposite end fighting them every step of the way. This feels like the HP TC/Convertible series reborn and made better to me...

 

[uknowimright]

Seriously....who cares about this? Day late - 300 billion dollars short. (as of today's close)

Sony probably had similar words

 

[Jasoco]

Nice!

1366x768 screen resolution.

No where near 2048x1536. By which I just refer to sheer PPI and resolution. Why not at least 1080p?

 

[robanga]

it feels like windows 8 was designed with this device in mind. all of the criticisms i had of it having an identity crisis between desktop and tablet (which still stand in a desktop environment) are remedied by this

Having not played with Windows 8 much, i was thinking the same thing. It seems like MS went for broke because of the "post PC area" and is expecting the rest of the Windows user base to come along for the ride eventually.

Windows 7 could be the longest lived corporate version of Windows since XP and it might even surpass it.

 

[uknowimright]

I need something to sit back on the couch with and read a book or surf the internet. I don't need or want a seperate keyboard.

you don't NEED it for this device either

 

[KnightWRX]

I'm amazed at all the windows fanboys on here.

Uh ? So Apple saying this looks good as announced are Windows fanboys ? I like the concept, I'm far from a Windows/Microsoft fanboy.

So I get it that in your polarised world, anyone dissing this is an Apple fanboy ?

Geez, whatever happened to just appraise a product based on its own merit, not on some biased pro-corporation agenda ?

 

[DougB541]

According to the verge the RT versions resolution is 1366 x 768. That's barely 720P

actually its past 720p..

 

[Medic311]

those of you praising this ad and the new windows fail RT is just full of bologna.

There is exactly ZERO indication of how it runs, how well it performs, the screen quality, the apps, the battery life, the materials used, NOTHING in regards to what the hell the ad is showcasing; except that it's a thick piece of screen that's seems so heavy, it needs a kickstand.

This ad showcases nothing but a piece of boxy metal with a lid, kickstand, simulated screen, and a keyboard built into the cover.

How do you claim this is competition to an iPad?

instead of bashing competition, you should welcome it. if it turns out to be a bad device, expect Apple to be slower to roll out features. if it turns out to be a great device, expect that iOS and OSX upgrades to be more feature rich.

FYI:

hands on from engadget: http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/hands-on-with-microsoft-surface-for-windows-rt/

 

[nfl46]

I'm amazed at all the windows fanboys on here.

This machine is nothing what I desire a tablet for. I need something to sit back on the couch with and read a book or surf the internet. I don't need or want a seperate keyboard.

I use a tablet to RELAX - not do any intensive work. I don't get this product at all.

Think about the future. Heck, I wish our iPads had Mac OS X on them and we could run them like desktops or laptops. This tablet can for Windows. Full blown Win apps on a tablet. That's pretty impressive.