Microsoft Announces Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2

[spinedoc77]

They're a multi-billion dollar company because their sense of innovation is attached to licenses, and that's mostly all they're good at. Tell me what has been successful about their hardware.

I read real news too, and yes, I knew they weren't shipping until mid-October, strategically planned to compete with iPad 5.

I just think it's reasonable to say that it's quite presumptuous of them to think pre-orders will be necessary. Apple gave a month's notice for the first one--and it WAS a success. The Surface, by all accounts, has not been a success. Microsoft's sales have barely equaled their marketing of the Surface : http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3624014

The Surface 2 isn't much better---what makes you think demand is going to change? Perseverance? Maybe. But, I can tell you, their marketing strategy is pathetic, placing the iPad next to the Surface, and even giving false impressions of the iPad side by side. (Go check it out; it's well documented)

People probably wanted the X-Box, and iPad, and tickets to the upcoming "big pop concert" in town. But Surface is not in demand, in any way. It's just an opportunity for them to get whatever little bit they can before iPad 5/and Mini Retina eat their sales opportunities alive.

This isn't wrong, as much as I'd like to believe Microsoft has a grasp on its hardware business, they don't. The surface is a beautiful product, easily as well made as an ipad. But this isn't MS problem, it's a problem of not knowing what the consumer wants, as you put it not matching the product to the consumer demand. (Although I never saw where the false impressions were in the side by sides with the ipad, I thought they were quite telling in the ipads shortcomings, but I agreed with others on this forum that MS should have concentrated on its own strengths instead of the ipads many weaknesses.)

I don't think it's an opportunity for MS to cash in before the new ipads, I honestly think there is a serious disconnect going on at Microsoft. The hardware guys seemed holed up with no contact with the real world, they produce the product asked of them and do a beautiful job, but marketing failed them in asking for the wrong product which no one wants, or no one knows they want.

 

[FelixAng]

This isn't wrong, as much as I'd like to believe Microsoft has a grasp on its hardware business, they don't. The surface is a beautiful product, easily as well made as an ipad. But this isn't MS problem, it's a problem of not knowing what the consumer wants, as you put it not matching the product to the consumer demand. (Although I never saw where the false impressions were in the side by sides with the ipad, I thought they were quite telling in the ipads shortcomings, but I agreed with others on this forum that MS should have concentrated on its own strengths instead of the ipads many weaknesses.)

I don't think it's an opportunity for MS to cash in before the new ipads, I honestly think there is a serious disconnect going on at Microsoft. The hardware guys seemed holed up with no contact with the real world, they produce the product asked of them and do a beautiful job, but marketing failed them in asking for the wrong product which no one wants, or no one knows they want.

This is not how the iPad looks side by side with Surface in their ads:

http://www.gizmag.com/microsoft-surface-pro-vs-ipad/26150/

 

[ViperDesign]

This is not how the iPad looks side by side with Surface in their ads:

http://www.gizmag.com/microsoft-surface-pro-vs-ipad/26150/

Wow, probably the most honest comparison and article I have ever read on the internet!

 

[spinedoc77]

This is not how the iPad looks side by side with Surface in their ads:

http://www.gizmag.com/microsoft-surface-pro-vs-ipad/26150/

Wow, that's the lamest complaint ever. Yeah now I remember this silly "travesty". MS corrected that right away.

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Wow, probably the most honest comparison and article I have ever read on the internet!

Yep, it's too bad the author missed the point of the surface pro. He would have been better off comparing an Atom tablet.

 

[Liquorpuki]

Yep, it's too bad the author missed the point of the surface pro. He would have been better off comparing an Atom tablet.

I'd like to see a comparison acknowledging the Pro is a converged device since it's basically a tablet/ultrabook all in one. AKA instead of these tablet vs Pro comparisons or Pro vs MBA comparisons, Pro vs an iPad+MBA combo

These articles are like comparing a Roku to a PS3 as a set top box, ignoring the PS3's ability to play games or comparing a smartphone to a feature phone on strictly phone usage, ignoring the fact the smartphone also does a bunch of other stuff

I don't know what it is with tech writers unable to wrap their head around the concept of technological convergence. It's like their brains can only process one market at a time

 

[Zaphodsplanet]

Zune Tablet

Makes a great leg leveler for your tables. Take your solitaire experience to the max..... on your floor.

Zune Tablet...... a computer so good the company that made it might actually pay you to take it.

Zune Tablet..... proof that no amount of money can ever make anything "cool".

 

[FelixAng]

I'd like to see a comparison acknowledging the Pro is a converged device since it's basically a tablet/ultrabook all in one. AKA instead of these tablet vs Pro comparisons or Pro vs MBA comparisons, Pro vs an iPad+MBA combo

These articles are like comparing a Roku to a PS3 as a set top box, ignoring the PS3's ability to play games or comparing a smartphone to a feature phone on strictly phone usage, ignoring the fact the smartphone also does a bunch of other stuff

I don't know what it is with tech writers unable to wrap their head around the concept of technological convergence. It's like their brains can only process one market at a time

Based on Microsoft's marketing, they like to compare the Surface Tab(s) to the iPad too. In fact, that's all they seem to really do in their ads; just show the two side-by-side...as if their product can't sell itself!

 

[osofast240sx]

A new MS LOW!!!!! MS now has a iPhone trade in program!!!!

 

[Renzatic]

A new MS LOW!!!!! MS now has a iPhone trade in program!!!!

How is this a low? Offering to take your competitors products as trade for your own is common practice.

I could go to Gamestop and trade my iPad in for a 3DS. Does that mean Nintendo is desperate?

 

[Xiroteus]

How is this a low? Offering to take your competitors products as trade for your own is common practice.

I could go to Gamestop and trade my iPad in for a 3DS. Does that mean Nintendo is desperate?

Not saying anything is low or just.

That example seems different because that would be Gamestop not Nintendo doing the trade. That's just trading goods.

 

[Renzatic]

That example seems different because that would be Gamestop not Nintendo doing the trade. That's just trading goods.

It's not a perfect analogy, but it's close enough to work.

MS stores take trade credit for phones. Lots of tech stores do it. You could walk in there with a HTC One, Galaxy S3, or an iPhone 5 and use it for trade credit for a Windows Phone or some random computer. It's a common thing, and I dunno why people are treating it like it's such a horrible slight.

 

[Xiroteus]

It's not a perfect analogy, but it's close enough to work.

MS stores take trade credit for phones. Lots of tech stores do it. You could walk in there with a HTC One, Galaxy S3, or an iPhone 5 and use it for trade credit for a Windows Phone or some random computer. It's a common thing, and I dunno why people are treating it like it's such a horrible slight.

It mostly appeared that it was a Microsoft store and they were making an exception with wanting the iPads. If they take other phones then it should not be that big of a deal. Band tech stores vs general tech stores is likely the issue people are seeing.

 

[twigman08]

But as this is a Mac site the usual MS hatred is the norm, and that's a shame as the Surface is a pretty innovative well made product.

If that was the case and it was only the MS hatred here on a Mac website then the Surface would sell in the general public. Though the fact remains: it does not sell.

As a Computer Science Major here at University I see a lot of different tablets being used all the time in class. I have seen literally ZERO Surface Tablets out in the wild being used while I see an iPad just about every corner I turn. I even see A LOT more Samsung Tablets than Surfaces.

Don't go and blame the hate for the Surface on this being a Mac website. Fact is general public isn't catching on the Surface at all. If it such a innovative device the general public would catch on to it. The general public doesn't see a market for it.

 

[osofast240sx]

How is this a low? Offering to take your competitors products as trade for your own is common practice.

I could go to Gamestop and trade my iPad in for a 3DS. Does that mean Nintendo is desperate?

For one MS is not GameStop. It's a move of desperation on MS. They make fun of Apple in all there ads only then to sell one competitors product . It's a bad look. Makes no sense to go after Apple, Samsung has the larger market share. The truth is MS will make more profit selling iPads and iPhones! To put things in perspective blackberry has 4.3% market share while MS comes in at 3%.

 

[Wiesenlooser]

Honestly, most of the people in the design field (myself included) are more intrigued by the Wacom Cintiq Companion.

I wonder why? It's much more expensive, less powerful, has far worse specs and looks worse designed.

 

[CKA]

Interesting, but the Surface 2 should have been full Windows. At that price, nobody wants a dumbed down Windows OS...

The Pro looks good.

I think the problem is Microsoft still belive that trim-down Window is far better than Android and IOS. Also, the Pro is not cheap at all, around same price level to MBA/ultrabook.

 

[Wiesenlooser]

If that was the case and it was only the MS hatred here on a Mac website then the Surface would sell in the general public. Though the fact remains: it does not sell.

As a Computer Science Major here at University I see a lot of different tablets being used all the time in class. I have seen literally ZERO Surface Tablets out in the wild being used while I see an iPad just about every corner I turn. I even see A LOT more Samsung Tablets than Surfaces.

Because the surface Pro is NOT a device with mass market appeal. Doesnt mean its not innovative though

 

[Xiroteus]

Because the surface Pro is NOT a device with mass market appeal. Doesnt mean its not innovative though

Yep, the Surface Pro does not appear to be that simplistic (not a bad thing) device everyone appears to want. Yet for those who want such a device it looks perfect. It will likely be my main laptop one day. I want a laptop that is a tablet and has wacom, perfect! Yet I doubt it will ever be a mass market item, that falls to all the phones and simple tablets these days.

 

[osofast240sx]

Because the surface Pro is NOT a device with mass market appeal. Doesnt mean its not innovative though

Name one thing innovative about the surface???????
Touch screen- been done
Touch keyboard-been done

I'll wait

 

[Wiesenlooser]

Name one thing innovative about the surface???????
Touch screen- been done
Touch keyboard-been done

I'll wait

Same applies to the iPad when it was released . It's not about technologies it is about how you combine them.

The Surface Pro was (or is) a unique combination of the tablet form factor combined with high performance and a wacom digitizer. All that in a well designed and built package.

And yes, the idea with the touch cover was quite innovative - and actually it really works and is fun.

Now of course it has its weaknesses - but for some people this is really the best device on the market.


Advantages of the Surface Pro to the iPad
-Full OS
-compatible with basically every windows program out there (try running Illustrator on your iPad)
-Wacom Digitizer (this is killer for design people - iPad Digitizers are not even in the same league
-High specs
-Built in Kickstand


Now DONT list me the disatvantages - Im aware of all of them

 

[spinedoc77]

Based on Microsoft's marketing, they like to compare the Surface Tab(s) to the iPad too. In fact, that's all they seem to really do in their ads; just show the two side-by-side...as if their product can't sell itself!

Yeah but that article was about the PRO model, not the RT model so what you are saying is incorrect and the article is still not a good show of tech journalism. I don't believe MS has marketed the Pro next to the ipad anywhere, although I'm not 100% sure.

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If that was the case and it was only the MS hatred here on a Mac website then the Surface would sell in the general public. Though the fact remains: it does not sell.

As a Computer Science Major here at University I see a lot of different tablets being used all the time in class. I have seen literally ZERO Surface Tablets out in the wild being used while I see an iPad just about every corner I turn. I even see A LOT more Samsung Tablets than Surfaces.

Don't go and blame the hate for the Surface on this being a Mac website. Fact is general public isn't catching on the Surface at all. If it such a innovative device the general public would catch on to it. The general public doesn't see a market for it.

What computer science type stuff, programming, applications, etc can you get done on an ipad versus a full windows computer? I'm honestly asking as I have not been to school for computer science and am curious. Are all those students with ipads actually doing computer science work, or are they just playing angry birds?

 

[gotluck]

I work in bank IT and have seen a few surface pros used by admins (windows dominates banking so an unfair comparison perhaps). The full OS is nice, bring on a tab with full osx please.

I too wonder what comp sci majors are doing with iPads. Must just be for fun.

 

[greenmeanie]

An the IPAD should have full blown OSX.

Interesting, but the Surface 2 should have been full Windows. At that price, nobody wants a dumbed down Windows OS...

The Pro looks good.

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It's the price that is killing them and no one wants the NON pro model.

The surface pro (2) is actually a great device
For students - specially for those who need to draw (design engineering etc).

I don't think it's that bad of a device

 

[Renzatic]

For one MS is not GameStop. It's a move of desperation on MS. They make fun of Apple in all there ads only then to sell one competitors product . It's a bad look. Makes no sense to go after Apple, Samsung has the larger market share. The truth is MS will make more profit selling iPads and iPhones!

Two problems with your post...

They're not directly selling the iPads in their stores. I mean hell, why would they?

And...

To put things in perspective blackberry has 4.3% market share while MS comes in at 3%.

And WP recently overtook Blackberry for the No. 3 position.

They're not exactly worrying Apple yet, but MS has been seeing slow, steady growth since the introduction of WP8.

You're arguing a lot of assumptions based on absolutely no evidence.

 

[Liquorpuki]

Based on Microsoft's marketing, they like to compare the Surface Tab(s) to the iPad too. In fact, that's all they seem to really do in their ads; just show the two side-by-side...as if their product can't sell itself!

Those ads are comparing the RT and OEM RT tablets, not the Pro model

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For one MS is not GameStop. It's a move of desperation on MS. They make fun of Apple in all there ads only then to sell one competitors product . It's a bad look. Makes no sense to go after Apple, Samsung has the larger market share. The truth is MS will make more profit selling iPads and iPhones! To put things in perspective blackberry has 4.3% market share while MS comes in at 3%.

Got a link for those marketshare %'s?