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Microsoft Launches New Surface RT vs. iPad Ad Highlighting iPad Shortcomings

starbird said:
This is their "I'm a Mac" series. I see no real difference here. The problem is that the surface rt < iPad, in more ways than just price.
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I still don't see how people figure that. I would rather have a Surface any day of the week - it is actually a useful device that can create files, in a known Office package, save them to a familiar file system rather than a failed online service, and transfer them directly via a USB stick as people are used to.

One can also put files onto the device in the same way, including many video formats that play natively. By comparison when people ask me, "can you put that on my iPad?" I have to say, "I have no idea." With no USB and no visible file system, I find myself at a loss. Maybe through iTunes?
 
frisnit said:
Don't know why they would go to all the trouble with the comparison and not compare the price with the same 32gb version, to make the iPad look even worse! One of the downsides of Apple is definitely the price increases for doubling memory, all about profit rather than component cost.
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You know you Scots really do your best to continue the image of cheapskates
 
Not exactly an exciting ad, but I will say that I really would like split screen multitasking on iOS. Sure wouldn't buy a Slate for that feature though. And advertising the keyboard accessory?? There's dozens of 3rd party keyboards for any tablet you have. When you have to advertise your keyboard as a reason to buy the hardware, its pretty sad...
 
tommy08 said:
Mutliple things at once? Oh please, ¼ and ¾ screen apps are pointless. ¼ screen of IE = text too small
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I'll have to respectfully disagree with you on this, I use ¼ and ¾ display on my Windows desktop.

¼ for a Twitter client, ¾ for the rest of my stuff. Lets me keep up with the happenings while doing other things. I would love this capability on a tablet :)
 
MartiNZ said:
I still don't see how people figure that. I would rather have a Surface any day of the week - it is actually a useful device that can create files, in a known Office package, save them to a familiar file system rather than a failed online service, and transfer them directly via a USB stick as people are used to.

One can also put files onto the device in the same way, including many video formats that play natively. By comparison when people ask me, "can you put that on my iPad?" I have to say, "I have no idea." With no USB and no visible file system, I find myself at a loss. Maybe through iTunes?
Click to expand...

Because of their stupidity MS have allowed 100M people to find ways to work without office. I have no use for Office on my mobile devices mobile is not about bloat wear, its about elegance
 
Six million unsold and a billion dollars in write-offs...soon they will be selling these things for a buck each to use as placemats.
 
Belazor said:
I'll have to respectfully disagree with you on this, I use ¼ and ¾ display on my Windows desktop.

¼ for a Twitter client, ¾ for the rest of my stuff. Lets me keep up with the happenings while doing other things. I would love this capability on a tablet :)
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Done correctly and explained well yes, I use windows a 8 and I have no clue how to do that.
 
nzalog said:
Done correctly and explained well yes, I use windows a 8 and I have no clue how to do that.
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Step 1: Hit Windows key and find your Twitter app (or whatever else you want in the sidebar), then open it
Step 2: Hover your mouse over the middle top of the app (you know you're in the right spot when you see a hand)
Step 3: Drag it towards the left of the screen. You should now be back on the start screen with your app in the left side corner
Step 4: Hit the Windows key + D to go back to your desktop (or click the Desktop tile).
Step 5: Profit.

Enjoy :)
 
Good job Microsoft, keep spending more on advertising than on actual gross income from the Surface. Keep on polishin' that turd...
 
To be fair, this was a big improvement on Microsoft's original ads. I have friends who saw those and didn't know what the product was for. This one, at least, shows you what it does and why it might be good. Yes, they leave a lot out, such as cheating about the keyboard.

What it does underline, though, is that Microsoft still doesn't get the point of the iPad. The ad suggests that the user wants a tablet to be a laptop, with a kickstand that requires a desk, a keyboard that requires a solid support, and a usb port. I know lots of people who own iPads, and (almost all of the time) that's not how they use their iPads, unless they're on a business trip. I've certainly never heard anyone say that what it really needs is a usb port.

To me, the main use of the iPad is as a casual computing device. That I can do serious things with it is a bonus, not its main selling feature.
 
The price comparison with the sizes isn't completely fair because doesn't Windows leave you with only a few gigs free, even on the 32gb version?

Compare free space out of the box imo :p
 
Belazor said:
Step 1: Hit Windows key and find your Twitter app (or whatever else you want in the sidebar), then open it
Step 2: Hover your mouse over the middle top of the app (you know you're in the right spot when you see a hand)
Step 3: Drag it towards the left of the screen. You should now be back on the start screen with your app in the left side corner
Step 4: Hit the Windows key + D to go back to your desktop (or click the Desktop tile).
Step 5: Profit.

Enjoy :)
Click to expand...

That explains it, I don't use the star menu apps. Thank you for taking the time though!
 
Yeah, ask Microsoft how many apps are available for the Surface RT and it's game over. Sure, Surface RT is (now) less expensive than the iPad -- and should have been so all along. There are serious usability shortcomings to Surface RT if you want to do much more than what you can do with a ChromeBook.
 
Doesn't Include Microsoft Office.

Um...that's your fault Microsoft and why you are losing hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue every quarter by not putting it out as an APP.

Remember MS you are a SOFTWARE company...

Ballmer is such a moron...how long till he kills the XBOX??
 
mudman2 said:
Because of their stupidity MS have allowed 100M people to find ways to work without office. I have no use for Office on my mobile devices mobile is not about bloat wear, its about elegance
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Ding Ding Ding.

Kinda like most industries...you try to screw someone out of something, someone or something else will take your customer.
 
sfrancis928 said:
Seriously Microsoft, stop touting that awful kickstand. Especially if you're not even going to show the iPad's Smart Cover in the comparison.
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LOL. I hated the Surface, but the kickstand OWNS the smart cover. It's probably the Surface's best feature.
 
Because of their stupidity MS have allowed 100M people to find ways to work without office. I have no use for Office on my mobile devices mobile is not about bloat wear, its about elegance
Click to expand...

The new iCloud features for iWorks could cement that feeling too, even the betas are immensely useful and with file conversions to compatible MS Office format I may never have to go near an Office app again if I can help it.
 
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