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Microsoft Launches Site to Lure MacBook Switchers to Surface Pro 3

One of the biggest hurdles they (and others) face is in that screenshot.

So I have no problem downloading/using a different app to video chat and communicate. But you're telling me I have to convince all my friends and family to jump on something they aren't used to and remember to communicate with me that way when they can talk to all their other friends and family via the stock way?

Let's face it - Apple services are great. It's one of the main reasons I stick with iOS.
 
forty2j said:
I have no problem with competition.

My problem is that Microsoft thinks they have a no-compromise device that can be a MacBook and an iPad in one, but instead, ecosystem preference aside, they have a hot mess of a UI that isn't good at either mode, and haven't yet grasped that the ergonomics of using propped up touch screen (let alone using a pen on it!) while sitting are quite terrible.
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Do you really think Microsoft believes it's truly a no-compromise device? It's all marketing for Christ's sake. They're just trying to paint their product in the best light, just like apple and any other advertiser does. But it is a pretty nice product, and a good step in the direction where it wants to be.

As for your propped up touch screen and pen comment, I'm willing to guess you're not familiar with the Cintiq product line.

Rogifan said:
Who would use it like most people use a tablet though? MS never shows it off in portrait orientation. They're always showing it with the keyboard attached and kickstand out. I can't imagine crawling up on the couch or in bed and reading a book with that thing. It's basically a touch screen laptop with average keyboard/trackpad.
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Honest question, if/when Apple introduces a similar size device will you still sing the same tune?
 
Look who's comparing Apples to oranges, how clever. I like the Surface Pro concept and design. The problem tends to be the software.
 
wrightc23 said:
My experience as well, it's technically an amazing device, an exercise in just how small can you make a PC. Trouble is it will always be a compromise that I personally didn't need to make. The keyboard isn't as good as a full keyboard on a laptop, I can't remember every using it as a tablet or making use of the pen.
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I have a Dell Tablet PC with a proper keyboard and an older version of the digitizer in the 3, and even I don't use it as a tablet. Can run Windows 8 and so does all this stuff the Surface can and supports the ecosystem, and also has a proper screen for writing on. But I prefer to use it as an actual computer too.
 
The Surface Pro 3 has come a long way. The thing is that the MBA is pretty much close to perfection for a laptop. It just needs a new screen and an even longer battery life.
 
Jeff R said:
Microsoft is making the most out of it right now. They know they only have until the 12" MacBook & iPad Pro comes out to boost sales.
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The tech media always needs something to latch on to as the next Apple killer. A couple years ago it was Samsung and the Galaxy phones. Now it's Microsoft and Surface. Next year it will probably be something else.
 
bbeagle said:
Right - you're comparing the Surface 3 to a laptop.... The laptop ALREADY has a 'kickstand', i.e. way to keep the screen up. I can understand if he has an iPad, but a LAPTOP?



Plus the dumb 'has a USB' - the mac laptops ALSO have USBs.



The ONLY thing in the ad that the mac wouldn't have would be touch-screen, which they repeat a few times, and 'it comes apart'.
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I had a laptop that 'came apart'. It's next stop was the recycle bin.
 
handsome pete said:
Do you really think Microsoft believes it's truly a no-compromise device? It's all marketing for Christ's sake.
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I guess I should say "would have us believe", whether they believe it themselves. They've had the same issues with it for a couple years now, so either they believe it or they haven't figured out how to engineer a way out of it yet.

handsome pete said:
As for your propped up touch screen and pen comment, I'm willing to guess you're not familiar with the Cintiq product line.
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I am. People that I know use Cintiq are using it in nearly horizontal position close to them, such that they can hover over it similar to a book/magazine. They're not using it propped up at a near-right angle, as the Surface is with the kickstand & keyboard.
 
Microsoft is being very aggressive. Perhaps even more aggressive than Apple was in the past.

Apple's ads were made to the amusement of its fans. As for Microsoft... well, I don't think it's the kind of company that has many fans, if any.
 
handsome pete said:
Depends on what you need the kickstand to do. You're right that as a replacement for a traditional laptop hinge, it's not comparable. But quite honestly, at least in my use I can probably count the number of times I've needed to use my laptop on my actual lap on both hands (maybe just one). You have to remember that the stand also serves a purpose when the unit is in tablet mode too. It's actually quite a useful feature.
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I don't disagree, but the kickstand feels more like a "that's good enough" feature instead of a "holy cool!" feature, as they advertise it. Tablet mode needs something to compete with that smart case Apple sells for the iPad? Throw a kickstand on there, that'll be good enough.

And in the development environment I work in, the only people who can actually use a Surface are in management, seeing as they always have a table in front of them. All the actual developers need something they can use on their laps/the dashboard in the driver's seat of a moving vehicle.

I accept that my use case is not THE use case, but it seems to me that for the most part, people who purchase a laptop will want it to work on their lap. So why is Microsoft giving us a "good enough" feature like the kickstand, when developing a really cool solution would make the thing stand out in a competitive market?

Now the Lenovo Yoga line is, to me, far more compelling, but I see the desire to have a detachable keyboard. Lenovo and Microsoft need to get together on the next device. They might produce something I would want to buy.
 
handsome pete said:
Honest question, if/when Apple introduces a similar size device will you still sing the same tune?
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I love my Air 2. I use a laptop all day at work. I have no need or desire to use one when I get home. So no, if Apple makes a hybrid device I won't be buying it. They've been pretty clear on thinking its a bad idea so I hope they stick to their convictions. Make a really great thin and light fanless MBA with retina display. And add split screen multitasking and proper pen support to iPad. And then make continuity/handoff even better. That's what I think Apple should do.
 
have both Surface Pro 3, Retina MacBook Pro late 2013

use them both but I leave the house usually only with the Surface Pro 3 - it is lighter and the Pen is incredible, going to sell my iPad air and thinking about selling the Retina MacBook Pro 15" - because the Surface Pro 3 is also 4k 60Hz capable
 
the only thing I don't understand is why they are targeting a laptop with their its got a kickstand and a USB jingle


laptops don't need kickstands to tilt and they all have USBs
 
You couldn't pay me to switch. You could pay me to take one. But then I'd use the money to buy a rMBP and then sell the surface pro to fund a few accessories.
 
Aluminum213 said:
At least MS is trying to innovate

iOS on the iPad is a blown up iPhone OS and the MacBook line has been boring for years
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For someone with that amount of criticism you sure own a lot of Apple devices.

And a lot of good all this "innovation" does MS. Last time when I visited the Surface store on Times Square it was full of people but no-one prepared to buy...
 
maflynn said:
Seems oddly timed. I mean most people will have spent all their money by now, thanks to Christmas. Why not roll this out in few months?
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I think the title of this post is a bit misleading. This site would apply to anybody who gets a surface pro 3 for Christmas. Not necessarily just for people who are looking to switch.

It's like a how-to-adjust guide for people moving from an apple environment to a windows environment.
 
I admit that I have not seen the Surface except in the ads, but since this is about ads, to me the Surface looks like a plastic toy when compared next to the Air. But hey, lots of toys work pretty good. ;)
 
heisenberg123 said:
the only thing I don't understand is why they are targeting a laptop with their its got a kickstand and a USB jingle


laptops don't need kickstands to tilt and they all have USBs
Click to expand...

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kagharaht said:
Walked by the Microsoft Store. 3 Customers, HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON...that's it...LOL!
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Haha I went to the mall this past weekend and noticed we had one here too. There were about 5 people in there and the Apple store at the other side of the mall was packed as usual.
 
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