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Microsoft Announces Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2

I picture myself getting a Surface 2 with the docking station. A real desktop keyboard, mouse, Ethernet connection and monitor would be attached to the docking station on my desk. Now I can take my computer on the go, yet have a full desktop at home.

Yes, I could also get a MacBook Air and it will be a real tossup. They both have their pros and cons. I like the idea of a digitizer and touch screen in my portable device. I really like the idea of being able to show a PowerPoint presentation and use a stylus pen to draw notes and annotate my slides.
 
TheOrioles33 said:
Wait a minute. Sales were dismal for the Surface right? So why make a 2?

If first you don't succeed, try and try again. :)
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It's funny how similar this is to Einstein's purported definition of insanity :D

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
 
sransari said:
when you say "draw" do you mean using a stylus? Would it be very accurate to create engineering drawings using a stylus on a screen? (I'm actually asking, I don't know). From my limited XP, I feel that using a stylus is OK for marking up comments on a document, but it's hard to make a sharp and accurate drawing.
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The technology that Microsoft is using for their pen input isn't capacitive touch stylus (Like you can buy for the ipad), which tends to have bigger surface area and little to know sensitivity options.

Microsoft is using a WACOM based digitizer with up to 1024 pressure sensitive detection points.
 
Battlefield Fan said:
I can buy a Surface Pro for $899 or a iPad 4 128 GB for $799. I'd rather spend the $100 more for what I get.:p
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That's still not a fair comparison. The usage of an iPad doesn't require 128GB because it is not a content-creation machine. 32 is going to be sufficient for the usage style associated with an iPad (or the Surface RT for that matter). You came here to accuse the forum of being full of "fan boys" who don't listen to rational arguments, yet you're doing the same thing.

The Surface Pro is a really cool device. It is not a direct iPad competitor. Its direct Apple competition is a Macbook Air.
 
notjustjay said:
I picture myself getting a Surface 2 with the docking station. A real desktop keyboard, mouse, Ethernet connection and monitor would be attached to the docking station on my desk. Now I can take my computer on the go, yet have a full desktop at home.
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I do this with my Surface Pro 1 right now. I use a Plugable USB3 dock connected to an external monitor. When I dock it, the Pro becomes a small form factor desktop. Otherwise it's a tablet/laptop when I'm on the go. OneNote + stylus really is a killer feature that's overlooked. I've taken hours of conference notes using it, synced to the cloud, then used them to prep reports.
 
Pretty cool hardware, and some nice improvements across the board for the new generation.

Unfortunately for Microsoft, I think that most who believe there is a Surface problem, don't think it is a hardware one.
 
Wiesenlooser said:
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
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Problem is its competing with ultra portables which are arguably much better for the tasks the surface pro is designed to do.
 
I'm surprised they didn't drop the original surface down to 150 or 200. They aren't selling for 350 why not drop the price more and dump that inventory
 
Good in a microsoft business enviornment

I recently started a new job and had to leaver my ipad behind. I was one of the blind fanboys and thought the world would end without my ipad. I was ready to go into the apple store and pick up a personal replacement the following weekend.
Day 1 of my job and I was offered a Win8 laptop or Surface Pro. I chose the Pro and was already to bash away at this ipad wannabe. And then I started to use at work.
The first thing I noticed was my surface was my computer. I did not need a logmein, Citrix receiver, or other app to get to my files. Wherever I took my surface I was able to get to all my files and secured drives. When outside of work a quick click secured a VPN connection and I was again accessing my full computer.
What I hated about citirx receiver and others were the lag time, the screen size distortions and the need for another computer.
The office suite may not be optimized for a touch screen but the stylus/pen works great and the keyboard has a useful trackpad. I also think OneNote is the most underrated and poorly advertised software at Microsoft.
I use a belkin docking station at work that has dual 24inch monitors, Logitech keyboard and mouse, and all the other accessories plugs needed.
I only complaint has been battery power and lack of backlit keyboard. Now addressed with Pro2.
I agree that Microsoft should stop trying to compare RT with the ipad. The ipad really has no true competition. They should focus on where they have their stronghold and that is in corporate America. This can provide a reduce cost of ownership for IT departments too.
I not trying to convert anyone with this post, just please keep an open mind.
If this was produced by Apple and called the iBusinessPad, I think many of you would be posting about this "great" product"
 
Jazwire said:
Here is the number #1 problem for the Surface.

I actually had/have a Surface (don't worry it was a corporate xmas gift,didnt actually spend money on it.)

Its actually kinda cool, the keyboard actually surprised me its nice and works remarkably well.
The OS is pretty good and user friendly. I actually like it from that standpoint.

However, the biggest and main reason it sucks is.
The App Store, there are hardly any apps.
Honestly I let a friend borrow it like 6 months ago and haven't used it since but there was maybe a couple hundred apps, maybe its improved drastically (doubt it). And 80% of those sucked.

I dont see how MS will compete with iOS and Android ever.They simply got into the game way too late.
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I own both an ipad 4 and a Surface. Sure, there are things I can perform on my Surface that are either not possible or harder to do on my ipad. From a "productivity" standpoint, I find the Surface scores better in that area.

However, the lack of applications on the Surface is a big issue here. There are only a few quality apps. And, in terms of entertainment, the Surface is very poor. Games are much better on the ipad. The fact that ios has a much bigger user base drives games developpers to invest and produce much better games, which are really optimized to the Ax processors from Apple. Also, from a hardware perspective the Tegra 3 (found in the Surface) has a weaker GPU than an ipad 2! So, even if developpers wanted to port quality games on the Surface, they couldn't, because of hardware limitations.

In the end, a tablet has to be fun and ipad definitely wins here. ios is a bit more user friendly than Windows 8 too, although not that much.

I believe Microsoft should have used the new Intel Clover Trails processors to keep x86 compatibility. ARM just doesn't cut here.
 
To be very honest and fair, I don't see why one would prefer the Surface Pro over a MacBook Air, given that it's almost the same price.

The MacBook Air integrates the keyboard, screen and "stand" in a single, sturdy device that you can use on your lap, not just on a table. It has far better battery life and is otherwise 100% a laptop. The Surface Pro, on the other hand, is just half a laptop, it just "sort of" does everything what a laptop does, it's not that portable, but it's not that powerful either.

The true question with every device is: what would you use it for? I'd use MacBook Air for everything I ever do on a computer. Would you use the Surface pro for everything?? Or would you back it up with a "proper" computer?
 
This new made me ROFL - what another $900million flop!

For a tablet, i do find my ipad unbearable - i wish i could have a touch 11" MBA with detachable screen as a laptop/tab hybrid. I like to organise my odcumetns/music and movies how i want to, not on itunes, and use the apps i like to play them! The only realy contender to the ipads is the nexus - as i find the samsung tabs far too emetogenic!

Would one accept a catalogue of corny, hackneyed and annoying adverts to follow the surface 2 release? Of course they will!
 
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