A KICKSTAND! WOW!
... And here I've been using my macbook air without one like a cave man!
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Microsoft Launches New Holiday Ad Comparing Surface Pro 3 to MacBook Air
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A KICKSTAND! WOW!
... And here I've been using my macbook air without one like a cave man!
So the win 8 os that no one will buy for a PC is really good for tablet productivity apps?
After seeing another one of their ads a few days ago, my thought was that MS isn't really showing why either the hardware or software is better than that of the MBA, and this ad is no different.
So you can touch the screen to move an object...great. You can move the same object on the MBA, using the trackpad, where you're arm and hand stay in a comfortable and relaxed position. So the benefit goes to the Surface, where you end up having a laptop screen with a bunch of fingerprints on it and you get a workout too, constantly moving your hand from the horizontal plane in front of you to the vertical plane - how awesome.
And when they pull the Surface off the keyboard, that's awesome too. How is that helping you do anything?
Sure, it can be a semi-tablet device, but they're not showing us that - they're showing us that for most things, you're going to use a keyboard for input. And I would like to question anyone using a Surface with a pen, how easy it is to write on a screen (using the kickstand), holding your hand and arm up, providing pressure onto the screen, but not too much so that you push the Surface back. It seems to me that it's one of those things that sounds neat in principle, but in reality is yet another thing you'll be picking up and setting down just occasionally.
I just don't get MS's thinking (or that of their ad agency) with Windows 8 in general or the Surface specifically. They've created a device that does a bunch of things, but they're not selling me on why some of these things would be worthwhile investing in and using - and worse, some of the things they show, like touching the screen would drive me crazy.
I can wipe my iPhone or iPad screen easily when it gets dirty, but for all the work I do on my MBA, rMBP and iMac, I would go flipping bonkers if these screens were coated with fingerprints. As it is, I'm anal about keeping the screens dust and smudge free and it's usually other people who, in pointing to something on-screen, touch it and make them dirty.
So you can touch the screen to move an object...great. You can move the same object on the MBA, using the trackpad, where you're arm and hand stay in a comfortable and relaxed position. So the benefit goes to the Surface, where you end up having a laptop screen with a bunch of fingerprints on it and you get a workout too, constantly moving your hand from the horizontal plane in front of you to the vertical plane - how awesome.
And when they pull the Surface off the keyboard, that's awesome too. How is that helping you do anything?
Sure, it can be a semi-tablet device, but they're not showing us that - they're showing us that for most things, you're going to use a keyboard for input. And I would like to question anyone using a Surface with a pen, how easy it is to write on a screen (using the kickstand), holding your hand and arm up, providing pressure onto the screen, but not too much so that you push the Surface back. It seems to me that it's one of those things that sounds neat in principle, but in reality is yet another thing you'll be picking up and setting down just occasionally.
I just don't get MS's thinking (or that of their ad agency) with Windows 8 in general or the Surface specifically. They've created a device that does a bunch of things, but they're not selling me on why some of these things would be worthwhile investing in and using - and worse, some of the things they show, like touching the screen would drive me crazy.
I can wipe my iPhone or iPad screen easily when it gets dirty, but for all the work I do on my MBA, rMBP and iMac, I would go flipping bonkers if these screens were coated with fingerprints. As it is, I'm anal about keeping the screens dust and smudge free and it's usually other people who, in pointing to something on-screen, touch it and make them dirty.
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I actually like a lot of Microsoft's products, but this marketing campaign is an absolute disaster of a strategy. First of all, the Surface Pro 3 and Macbook Air aren't really even competing in the same market. Their only real similarity is that they are both small and light. 2nd of all, when companies compare products in ads, it's usually because they want to take marketshare away from a competitor. As successful as the Macbook Air is for Apple it is still low volume compared to Windows products. That means that even if by some miracle they were able to steal 5% of Macbook Air customers, which is the goal of most ad campaigns, that number is only in the hundred thousands. Any extra profit that Microsoft would earn by these extra sales in their OS would be less than the cost of the ads themselves.
These ads from Microsoft seem to keep missing the mark.
They started out as really good, but this one, for example, shows off the USB port. Only really relevant when comparing the surface to an iPad, not to a laptop.
But, it goes without saying, a million times better than a Samsung ad, which just seem to insult Apple without any attempt to be clever, subtle, or creative.
They started out as really good, but this one, for example, shows off the USB port. Only really relevant when comparing the surface to an iPad, not to a laptop.
But, it goes without saying, a million times better than a Samsung ad, which just seem to insult Apple without any attempt to be clever, subtle, or creative.
Microsoft never seems to understand. I want a Macintosh, not a Windows PC. This is still a Windows PC and no touchscreen, pen, or kickstand will ever make it a Macintosh 
Sorry bud, but you couldn't be more wrong. Most of the buying public doesn't belong to any "camp". Most of us buy what we like, regardless of manufacturer. To be fair, if someone was to declare allegiance to a brand, Apple would probably be at the top of that list. That's neither praise nor criticism. Outside of the Surface and XBox, Microsoft doesn't really do hardware.
Way to go MS! I think is is great. It's fun, catchy, and it will make people question which device is best. With so many still thinking that "Windows is needed to run a business", that belief will tip the balance in the Surface's favor. Too bad it's not true. MS is relying on it, though.
But the Mac vs PC ads were careful not to show or compare specific products. They only talked about what was better about Mac vs Windows in general terms. They also cleverly didn't come across as agressive or bullying to PC but friendly and highlighted PC as more of a well-meaning but bumbling buffoon. They were brilliant ads with the perfect choice of actors.
I think it's good that MR continues to show competitor's ads that specifically mention or highlight Apple products.
Interesting that the Surface Pro 3 sees itself as more of an ultra book competitor than high end tablet. Interesting to compare specs considering you can put Windows on the Air.
Also, to everyone discussing an iPad running OS X: I don't think Apple want us to perceive the iPad as 'running iOS'.
'Operating System' isn't just something on a spec sheet as far as Apple are concerned. The best example of this is the Watch. We don't think of the Watch as running Watch OS.
It's meant to be just seamless integration. iOS IS the iPad. If there's a feature Apple wants the iPad to have, it will update iOS.
If you want OS X, buy a MacBook Air. Don't suggest changes to iPad that means it becomes a rubbish tablet, just so it becomes a good laptop. Apple already makes good laptops.
'Operating System' isn't just something on a spec sheet as far as Apple are concerned. The best example of this is the Watch. We don't think of the Watch as running Watch OS.
It's meant to be just seamless integration. iOS IS the iPad. If there's a feature Apple wants the iPad to have, it will update iOS.
If you want OS X, buy a MacBook Air. Don't suggest changes to iPad that means it becomes a rubbish tablet, just so it becomes a good laptop. Apple already makes good laptops.
First, they're comparing to a notebook where a kickstand isn't needed, not to a tablet. And second, while the "kickstand" only comes with the additional purchase of a case on the iPad, the same goes for the keyboard on the Surface. They didn't start including keyboards for free, right?
Right Direction, Wrong Software
I think the Surface is headed in the right direction. I don't think we should complain about its current pitfalls if it's trying to get to a point where it's as light, powerful, and battery friendly as an iPad but runs in a tablet and desktop iteration.
If there was an iPad that existed in its current form that ran full OS X in addition to iOS I'd be elated. Currently I run a jailbroken iPad using BTC Mouse & Trackpad, it makes productivity a reality on iPad. I know many people use keyboards with the iPad but I honestly believe the iPad is not geared with productivity in mind. The speed at which I can delete text or move the cursor around can't be controlled which drives me bonkers when doing something as basic as using Evernote.
I want the Surface to put pressure on Apple to combine OS X and iOS, I don't think it's possible for a while which is why I am temporarily satisfied with the macbook, iPad combo but for the future to be littered with the possibility of one device to accomplish both needs, it needs to start somewhere.
End rant.
I think the Surface is headed in the right direction. I don't think we should complain about its current pitfalls if it's trying to get to a point where it's as light, powerful, and battery friendly as an iPad but runs in a tablet and desktop iteration.
If there was an iPad that existed in its current form that ran full OS X in addition to iOS I'd be elated. Currently I run a jailbroken iPad using BTC Mouse & Trackpad, it makes productivity a reality on iPad. I know many people use keyboards with the iPad but I honestly believe the iPad is not geared with productivity in mind. The speed at which I can delete text or move the cursor around can't be controlled which drives me bonkers when doing something as basic as using Evernote.
I want the Surface to put pressure on Apple to combine OS X and iOS, I don't think it's possible for a while which is why I am temporarily satisfied with the macbook, iPad combo but for the future to be littered with the possibility of one device to accomplish both needs, it needs to start somewhere.
End rant.
It would be a harder case for Microsoft to compare the surface to the iPad Air 2, because the iPad Air is a much better device. So they chose the MacBook Air, and highlighted that it is an ultraportable without a touchscreen, as the main selling point...since they clearly could not do this with any iPad.
The best thing about the iPad are the countless myriad of high-quality apps available from the App Store...making a user experience that the Surface cannot even come close to competing with.
Since Microsoft did not want to try making a commercial to compete with the iPad, they chose the MacBook Air, which is not a tablet but an ultrathin laptop. Microsoft can't compete with the iPad, that's what I am saying.
Of course they do, but Apple doesn't have an actual 1:1 competing product.
And all stylus solutions for the iPad are lackluster. They need a digitizer to compete on that front.
Why in the world would anyone think OSX on a tablet would be a good idea?
Why wouldn't it be a good idea? I understand most who are satisfied with a simpler OS on a device, but having a fully functional one along with fully functional software is definitely intriguing to me. The SP3 is very intriguing to me and I might just end up trying one out for 30 days to see if it fits into my workflow. But I'd love for the fabled iPad Pro to be running OSX with a proper digitizer in it.
That just seems to be adding more complexity to everything. I'd much rather have the handoff seamless, or non-existent.
Sadly, around these parts most of the more level headed consumers get drowned out by the blind allegiance to Apple. Which is a shame because much more insightful discussion could happen otherwise. But I suppose that should be expected on an Apple related site.
Well upon looking at the commercial again, they are touting this as "The tablet that can replace your laptop" -- so they are showing that this has laptop-like features, and has a USB port, while the iPad does not.
Doubt it can run Logic and FinalCut.
Doubt it can run Logic and FinalCut.
I don't do the same things with my tablet that I do with my laptop... I don't even do the same things with my desktop that I do with my laptop.
Desktop = Power
Laptop = Portability
Tablet = Convenience
P.S.: my Apple Bluetooth keyboard and iPad Smart Case just negated your kickstand argument too.
Desktop = Power
Laptop = Portability
Tablet = Convenience
P.S.: my Apple Bluetooth keyboard and iPad Smart Case just negated your kickstand argument too.
The MacOS X Holographic Proector? Tabletop computers? 50" Widescreen curved-glass Retina iMac?
Gave you three.
Another idea is a pen which is has a built-in computer and wireless capability. A pen that you carry with you which IS your computer...not sure if we are there yet.
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