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Microsoft Launches New Holiday Ad Comparing Surface Pro 3 to MacBook Air
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Thank you for this post. In no way or shape or form am I endorsing the surface, but I really think Microsoft is heading towards the right direction. Their original Surface / Windows 8 was half-baked, but honestly, they are getting better, and they are the ones to watch.
True. Including the ecosystem and inherent stability and safety of OS X/iOS. Still if Apple doesn't shout out these advantages, new or unsuspecting buyers will quickly fall into MS message.
You don't care and still you post... That's why it's on the front page.
That, and relevance. It's news about Apple, even if MS is creating that news.
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The point I was making is that Apple TV and Beamer etc.. are all add ons, no different from a MS Keyboard.
All this wireless display stuff is included as part of Windows 8.1, works out of the box with Samsung and LG smart tvs, and is touch enabled. And it's not just streaming videos- you're streaming the whole display and sound. It's honestly a cheaper and better solution than what Apple offers. Hell, maybe MS would be better off advertising that than making ads like the one this thread is about.
It just became profitable with the SP3, which is selling quite a bit.
No, it's not selling in iPad/iPhone numbers, but considering its a niche device with a steep price tag, it never was meant to sell that much.
They do get it, they have to win this fight as they are increasingly becoming irrelevant. Setting aside games, there is nearly no such thing as a "Windows Programmer" programing new software intentionally designed to run on a Windows PC. Sure there are updates to existing software and there is business software and that employs people. But all of the "cool" software is being designed for mobile devices and Windows has nothing there.
The only folks in the consumer market spending significant money on their computers are the Gamers and the Mac users. Mcsft needs to go where the money is which means they need to cut into the Mac user base. There isn't any high end PC consumer user base anymore outside of Gamers.
This strategy may fail. But this Surface is a high-end PC device and so it needs to target the consumers with the cash. Those folks are buying Macs. This also might be the last high end PC that isn't a gaming device. I don't recall seeing an add for a PC in years that wasn't a price conscious value PC. This is the last ditch attempt at bringing a quality product to a mass audience.
Eh, I think this point is always exaggerated. I moved away from Windows about 15 years ago and worked primarily in an Apple environment. But after being thrust back into Windows over the past couple of years I don't really see either making much of a difference in my work. The OS is usually just in the background for me.
Are you claiming the iPad Air is a better device than the Surface? It's certainly subjective, but how do you come to this conclusion? The surface likely beats it on every level hardware-wise, but the iPad would win out in form factor and battery life. Oh, and touch ID.
The reason the Surface is targeting the Macbook is because they're saying that it's not only a tablet, but it's a laptop replacement as well. So it theoretically gives you the best of both worlds while being in the same ballpark in price.
Agreed to an extent. My late 2013 rMBP replaces my desktop for everything, including editing 180+ sound fx tracks for Imax and features films.
My iPad serves an my mix surface & they work as a team... you can't do all that with a SP3.
E.
If you buy a new PC you don't have a choice. I don't like the new layout of it so I installed Classic shell which reverts it back to traditional Windows but for a tablet with a touch screen Windows 8 makes sense but not for a desktop tower. I'm not really and app person on Windows, I just use the full blown software which may not be taking full advantage of the Surface but it's my preference and it works for me.
If you are comparing it to the MacBook Air, would you be able to run something like Logic Pro or FinalCut on the surface, if you are saying it is a "laptop relacement"???? Really???
True, but can the iPad run the Adobe suite, Autodesk suite, etc. Works both ways, and I would think the surface would win in that regard. I like Logic and FCP a lot, but they're far from the programs that once kept me tethered to the Apple environment.
I agree. I think as a way to use it as a laptop, the kickstand is a weakness for reasons everyone has mentioned. Unfortunately that comes with the territory of having all the computer innards weighing down the "screen." So I'm sure a laptop like hinge is feasible.
I do see some value in it though, for those times when a stand is useful.
msft still produces enormous profit , and have a higher dividend payout , even more so when you look at the amount of stock you can buy per appl.
maybe its time to sell your apple stock.
So now you're just cherry picking OSX only software to make your point? As I already replied, the surface can run full versions of software that I run on my workstation. Since when is running Logic and Final Cut a prerequisite to being called a laptop?
EDIT:
Here's a quick picture of some of the apps that have been tested and run on the SP3.
I think you just described the truth meaning behind the "post pc era", not just "nobody needs pc anymore" like many people misunderstood.
And Zbrush, Modo, 3DSMax, Maya, Autocad, Solidworks, etc. etc. etc. It can not only run them, but run them shockingly well.
Some of the Samsung commercials (the earlier ones anyway) were pretty funny at the way they ripped on Apple. But every Microsoft commercial is just so cheesy and off-putting. Cringeworthy, really.
They've fallen behind a company that was once 1% their size, and are helpless in many of the industries they throw the most money at. Ouch.
The Surface is an interesting product and getting better with each version. At some point the technology will mature enough that Apple may decide to make a simliar product.
No what I'm saying is I wanted both, but my wife would only allow one. I was getting a new mac mini. When Apple intro'd the updated mac mini my choice was made for me. Not a fan of what Apple did to the mini.
Contrary to some, I like the SP3. Our IT group has a few and we (sales) get to play around with them. So I decided to get a personal SP3 and I wanted a mac mini so I could retire my MBA 2011. It runs fine, just getting long in the tooth. I always want to keep OSX in my kit, so the MBA stays around a little longer. I gotta say, it's getting harder to give Apple my money. Don't want another MBA, don't need an MBP or MP. The mini would have been perfect for my needs. Maybe in a year or two Apple will debut something that peaks my interest.