Microsoft Releases Pricing on Surface Tablet, Ships October 26th

[Rogifan]

According to Microsoft, Windows RT, Office and any other pre-loaded apps take up ~12GB of space. I believe on the iPad ~1GB is used for the OS? So really you're not getting twice the storage for the same price with Surface. I wonder how large the average Windows RT app is?

 

[IJ Reilly]

So? Now every tablet probably is a bite ass well, if they capture part of themarket they loose less then they do now.

My point is, for the first time, Microsoft is going into direct competition with their Windows OEM partners by manufacturing the hardware themselves. This shakes up the status quo arrangement between Microsoft and the OEMs that's been in place for 30 years, and that has defined this industry. The levels of irony here are pretty deep, but the principal one is that Microsoft is now adopting Apple's end-to-end strategy. Not so long ago, tech pundits everywhere were urging Apple to abandon that approach.

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This is how Microsoft always advertises their products, all smoke and mirrors and no substance.?

Looks like somebody has never seen an iPod commercial.

 

[APlotdevice]

There is promise in the Windows RT ecosystem, though. Microsoft will be pushing Metro hard. I read (at Ars Technica, I believe) that Desktop is to Windows 8 what DOS 5.0 was to Windows 3.0. Clearly it will be around for a while longer, but it won't be getting any more significant updates. Microsoft wants all future development to be focused on the Metro interface.

I find the idea of eventually going all metro just insane. Tiled start screens and full screen apps make sense on ~10" display. Not so much on a 21+".

 

[thefourthpope]

This is right up there with the new iPod commercials. What does this product do? I can't tell. It's just pop music and dancing bears.

 

[mdelvecchio]

Yeah, they are, and they can. As of WP8, all versions of Windows run the same kernel, and use the same programming languages.

Only x86 devices are a little different (as in PCs, laptops, and the Surface Pro), as they're capable of running legacy apps, as well as higher end ones targeted at the desktop alongside the new Metro apps.

the ARM OS on the non-Pro is different than the x86 on the Pro. they cannot run the same software. at a minimum a re-compile of an application's sourcecode will be required, targeting the different OS. that they are both branded and marketed w/ the same name doesnt make them the same.

 

[Retrostarscream]

Does anyone know if the surface will be able to run apps side by side as opposed to having separate screens for each ? If so it will be able differentiate itself just enough from the iPad & justify its price points. True multitasking is what productivity bound consumers are waiting for in these tablets.

 

[olowott]

so this is what i learnt from such colourful ad

Nothing about what i want to pay for

only that it clicks with a keyboard very well.

not even about the camera
or an app
or the office 2013 app

damn!!

 

[Eidorian]

the ARM OS on the non-Pro is different than the x86 on the Pro. they cannot run the same software. at a minimum a re-compile of an application's sourcecode will be required, targeting the different OS. that they are both branded and marketed w/ the same name doesnt make them the same.

Anything targeting the Windows Store is required to support x86 and ARM. Tools and checkboxes are provided of course.

Windows 8 is Windows 8 is...

 

[lorkkrue]

we were told . . .

My "company", where the CTO has a close tie to MS has sent out mass emails last year -NOT to buy iPad due to "uncertainty in the tablet market". And all requests will be denied. We are to wait for a more "certain" tablet to hit the market. I didn't understand the email then. NOW I do. He wanted us to wait for this "surface tablet" -

 

[Mystic386]

I don't own any tablet. Seeing the Microsoft ad I just thought the whole thing was naff. It reminded me of the half a bubble off centre performances from Steve Ballmer.The world can always do with a little silly crazy. The ad hit more silly stupid.

The way the cover/keyboard clips in is a nice touch.

For me to buy this product it would have to be;
- real cheap.
- overcome my still strong dislike of MS for the years of customer abuse I suffered with half baked products. (until 18 motnhs ago)
- be functional to the level of the iPad or more.
- assure me that Windows 8 is not a lemon and that customer service will be great.
- run numbers, pages etc because I no longer use any MS programs due to the abuse issue.

I guess hell will have to freeze over or Apple would have to adopt MS's ineptitude in customer service for me to want to leave Apple and if I did leave Apple Samsung and Android already look a damn site more appealing.

Has Steve Ballmer missed the mark and headed another error of judgement. I would bet yes. Time will tell. If he has, will MS finally move this guy on and hire some real talent. What MS has continued to fail at is taught in business 101.

 

[VenusianSky]

I find the idea of eventually going all metro just insane. Tiled start screens and full screen apps make sense on ~10" display. Not so much on a 21+".

It is insane and it won't happen anytime soon, if ever. Despite what some people think, apps built for keyboard and mouse won't go away anytime soon. Developers need development tools and businesses need their spreadsheet/databases tools and a touchscreen interface just isn't practical for those tasks.

 

[HatterZero]

I plan on buying one, I been playing with windows 8 for months now, not a fan of it on a desktop. I prefer my Apple, but as a tablet I really enjoyed the feeling. I have an iPhone 5 and iMac and Macbook Pro and plan to get an air, but the iPad just feels like a bigger iPhone to me (My opinion). I think this as a web based content device will be fine for me. Ill buy one one release day, but not the keyboard cover since I dont plan on typing on it, ever.

BTW Keyboard cover for iPad, saw someone post that it hasn't been done yet.

http://www.logitech.com/tablet-accessories/keyboard-cases/ultrathin-keyboard-cover

 

[Renzatic]

Does anyone know if the surface will be able to run apps side by side as opposed to having separate screens for each ? If so it will be able differentiate itself just enough from the iPad & justify its price points. True multitasking is what productivity bound consumers are waiting for in these tablets.

Yeah, you can run two apps side by side on any device running a resolution higher than (I think) 1280x720. It doesn't split the screen perfectly down the middle. More like it docks one app to 1/3rd of the left or right side of the screen, leaving a 4:3 space for the app on the right. You can drag and drop stuff in between them, and flip which one takes up the majority of the screen fairly easily.

 

[tbrinkma]

Inflation and its actually cheaper .

Not sure what this has to do with anything I said.

Surface has it desktop "cousin" wich is also capable of metro apps.

350million PC sales worldwide a year, 80% MS (conservative estimate) windows 8 so within the year it would have more user then ios has now, and if I include the unlicensed its a lot faster that high.

Yep. Surface has a desktop 'cousin' also capable of 'metro' apps. But, no, they can't share the same apps, and you wouldn't want try running a desktop 'metro' app that was simply cross-compiled for ARM on a Surface, because of the resource availability differences. It would make for a *huge* performance loss in comparison.

So... No idea how that addresses anything I said there, either.

 

[KPOM]

My "company", where the CTO has a close tie to MS has sent out mass emails last year -NOT to buy iPad due to "uncertainty in the tablet market". And all requests will be denied. We are to wait for a more "certain" tablet to hit the market. I didn't understand the email then. NOW I do. He wanted us to wait for this "surface tablet" -

That's what Microsoft is counting on. They are hoping that companies gravitate to them because of the Office support.

 

[tbrinkma]

There have been keyboard covers for the iPad for years.

Yes, but not as nicely integrated, and (as others have pointed out), generally speaking they've been less than 'great'. The Surface keyboards are relatively unique, but that also means nobody really knows how they perform yet.

 

[KPOM]

According to Microsoft, Windows RT, Office and any other pre-loaded apps take up ~12GB of space. I believe on the iPad ~1GB is used for the OS? So really you're not getting twice the storage for the same price with Surface. I wonder how large the average Windows RT app is?

Good point. I haven't seen that mentioned. I didn't realize Windows RT and Office were that large. I'd have thought Microsoft would streamline them as much as possible. Maybe application size is another reason (apart from competitive advantage) that we haven't seen Office for iOS or Android.

 

[k995]

My point is, for the first time, Microsoft is going into direct competition with their Windows OEM partners by manufacturing the hardware themselves. This shakes up the status quo arrangement between Microsoft and the OEMs that's been in place for 30 years, and that has defined this industry.

Not really, the large companies that sell MS products are lenovo, HP,dell all not really active in tablet market

Even the ones that do have tablets acer, asus barely have a foot in the market


The big companies in tablet are apple, samsung and amazon, all of wich barely sell anything of MS.

http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=2194017
http://www.bgr.com/2012/08/14/ipad-market-share-all-time-high/


No every sale there is a sale less taken by other manufacturers and OS's.

The levels of irony here are pretty deep, but the principal one is that Microsoft is now adopting Apple's end-to-end strategy. Not so long ago, tech pundits everywhere were urging Apple to abandon that approach.

Not really, MS is pushing the market, its not the sole provider of MS labeled tablets. Big difference then with apple.

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Yep. Surface has a desktop 'cousin' also capable of 'metro' apps. But, no, they can't share the same apps, and you wouldn't want try running a desktop 'metro' app that was simply cross-compiled for ARM on a Surface, because of the resource availability differences. It would make for a *huge* performance loss in comparison.

So... No idea how that addresses anything I said there, either.

Dont know where you get this :

http://www.zdnet.com/with-a-month-t...unch-2000-plus-windows-store-apps-7000004790/

As of yesterday, September 24, there were 2,188 Windows Store applications available internationally, with 1,593 of those available in the U.S., according to Directions on Microsoft Vice President of Research Wes Miller. There are approximately 150 apps that are available for x86/x64 machines and not ARM, Miller said. In other words, there are about 150 apps in the Windows Store currently that do not work on both x86/x64 (Windows 8) and ARM (Windows RT).

Thats 90+%

 

[FirePhantom]

Yep. For me, hearing those clicks, all I could think of was the commercial for the iPad 2 Smart Cover in 2011.

The Smart Cover isn't something permanently attached to the iPad which could break off the $500+ device. So, your point is moot.

 

[KPOM]

Read the Fine Print

Unfortunately, enterprises will need to buy an extra license to use Office:

Microsoft Home and Student 2013 RT Preview edition installed. Final Office Home & Student version will be installed via Windows Update when available (free download; ISP fees apply). Some features and programs unsupported. Office Home & Student 2013 RT Preview and the final version are not for use in commercial, nonprofit, or revenue generating activities. Commercial license options available (sold separately).

 

[gusping]

one of the worse adverts i have ever seen. Nothing about the tablet itself. Nice one MS.....

 

[IJ Reilly]

Not really, the large companies that sell MS products are lenovo, HP,dell all not really active in tablet market

Really. Not only are tablets eroding sales of desktops and laptops, the OEMs will be competing directly with Microsoft in this market, something they did not have to do before, ever. I am not the only person to identify this issue. Even Microsoft acknowledges that this new approach could create friction with the OEMs. I think the only way it could avoid causing friction is if the Surface flops.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-5...y-yes-our-surface-tablet-could-tick-off-oems/

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/21/acer-is-skeptical-of-surface-tablets/

 

[Krazy Bill]

One word for the naysayers...

USB (or is that 3 words? Or 3 letters? )

This small difference is why I'll consider the Surface to the iPad any day. The Apple walled prison... err, "garden" has gone unchallenged for too long by somebody with deep pockets. (And no, Android doesn't count).

The appeal of a device that is "open" and actually does something useful in the Enterprise segment is quite tempting.

I'm sure the tweeters, face-bookers and bird killers will disagree though. (Surprise).

 

[thekev]

Hold up one second........120 BUCKS FOR A FRICKEN TOUCH KEYBOARD THAT UTILIZES SO MANY APPLE PATENTS........WTF!?!?!??!?!

EDIT: Replaced "Violates" with "Utilizes" because maybe thats not the best way to put it.

Are you actually out of your mind? Do you really think you even understand a single patent? Have you ever read through a patent description in detail? Do you know what portions describe what is protected as opposed to possible use cases? If it wasn't for the "edit" note, I would have assumed this was sarcasm. On a side note, Apple and MS are known for cross licensing. This doesn't really indicate whether such a device requires any of Apple's patents, but there was an entire article mentioning potential cross licensing between the two.

 

[DrStern]

So basically, if I switch to or being with a Microsoft Surface, I will be 100% guaranteed to dance my pants off.

Thats really the only takeaway I got from that commercial.

Yeah, I'm actually interested in the product for my office, but the commercial did nothing to move my interest level - except maybe down a little, since the ad does not depict the device as a serious tool.