Microsoft Releases Pricing on Surface Tablet, Ships October 26th

[APlotdevice]

You must be looking at different ultrabooks than I am then.

Thnk about it... The hardware and battery on an ultrabook are fit into the keyboard section. On a tablet all that needs to fit behind the screen. An ultrabook is usually set down on a table while in use. A tablet is usually supported in ones hands.

----------

The Pro is gonna be a bit thicker than the RT. They'll have as much room to dissipate heat as any ultrabook.

The problem is said heat will be dissipating into your palms. And the LCD for that matter.

 

[Renzatic]

But the problem is said heat will be dissipating into your palms.

It'll be warm, that's for sure. On a guess, I'd say the heat will be dissipated through the center top and bottom, while your hands will usually be placed along the left or right side.

I guess it all depends on the specs and how it's designed.

 

[maxwelltech]

So your willing to pay more for a giant phone? Imo.

WIndows 8 blows away iOS

Not trying to argue here, but I am not personally going to buy a product that is not being proven to work very well. I am not a person who has the money to try out every new and cool product. I am not totally against it, as I might pick it up if I liked it in person, but for now, I prefer the iPad.

 

[DingleButt]

Thnk about it... The hardware and battery on an ultrabook are fit into the keyboard section. On a tablet all that needs to fit behind the screen. An ultrabook is usually set down on a table while in use. A tablet is usually supported in ones hands.

----------



The problem is said heat will be dissipating into your palms. And the LCD for that matter.

Pro has venting ALL around the edges if you watch the unveiling.

 

[KevinN206]

Do you honestly believe that most companies are going to bother developing in-house Metro apps? Really?

This has been discussed ad nauseum already. RT will not support joining a windows domain which mean that you cannot directly log into exchange with your domain account and you would have to use Outlook Web access or some other authentication method like Active Sync instead which the IT people would have to configure for you.

You obviously do not work for large enterprise with a domain tree. I do. As I mentioned above, you need to have domain support in order to connect to Exchange the traditional way and you would have to enable an alternative method of accessing email such as OWA.

I think you are talking out of your arse quite frankly. I have accessed my desktop through citrix access gateway with RDP as well as Outlook on my iPad and mac with citrix receiver.


Unless if your IT department reconfigures their stuff to allow you to access your Exchange server without domain authentication, you are out of luck on a Windows RT device as far as Exchange email and calendaring is concerned.

As I already mentioned to the other guy, you can access servers with a Citrix Receiver client on an iPad just fine or with an RDP client to access a Terminal server.

You seem to be under the mistaken impression that Windows RT integrates with the enterprise when it does not. You could by the Pro version a year from now but it will probably cost you over 1k so you would be better off with an Ultrabook like the Macbook Air.

Doesn't the built-in Mail and Calendars interface with Exchange? I know on WP7, I can connect to my Exchange email and calendar and everything is automatically pushed and synced. Granted, it only supports email and calendar, but it's really all that my company needs. Even then, Surface RT is meant to be managed with SCCM 2012. Even more, Microsoft isn't targeting Surface RT to enterprises users. It's a credible BYOD, but I believe the Surface Pro is what enterprises should be using.

 

[k995]

Do you honestly believe that most companies are going to bother developing in-house Metro apps? Really?

They already develop such things for the ipad with its limited use, now they can put it on every desktop/tablet they own that runs windows 8

This has been discussed ad nauseum already. RT will not support joining a windows domain which mean

And you get that from "not yet"?

I think you are talking out of your arse quite frankly. I have accessed my desktop through citrix access gateway with RDP as well as Outlook on my iPad and mac with citrix receiver.

I have ass well and have supported large scale citrix environments, for th user it usualy a lot less "friendly" .

And again you dont have any clue what MS is going to provide as capabilities for its tablets between now and 6-12months. So I would suggest you stop pretending you do.

 

[aristotle]

Doesn't the built-in Mail and Calendars interface with Exchange? I know on WP7, I can connect to my Exchange email and calendar and everything is automatically pushed and synced. Granted, it only supports email and calendar, but it's really all that my company needs. Even then, Surface RT is meant to be managed with SCCM 2012. Even more, Microsoft isn't targeting Surface RT to enterprises users. It's a credible BYOD, but I believe the Surface Pro is what enterprises should be using.

Windows 7 can join a domain as long as it is not the home edition. Windows RT is like the home edition minus the ability to run non-metro apps other than Microsoft written ones recompiled for ARM.

I work on a windows 7 enterprise edition laptop everyday at work which is connected to a corporate domain.

It is possible configure Exchange to use other authentication methods but the default setup is through domain accounts for desktops and laptops physically connected to the network.

I have been writing software on NT since the 4.0 days.

@k995: You are confused. Windows Surface Pro will be running Windows 8 whereas this product we are talking about uses an ARM processor instead of an X86 processor and it runs Windows RT which can only run third party apps that are compiled against WinRT.

So Windows Surface Pro will likely cost over a 1000 dollars, it will have worse battery life because it uses an Intel chip and it will be running windows 8 Pro which can join domains whereas Windows RT cannot.

 

[k995]

I said it might be a serious issue if the Surface is a success, but my main point is that it's a big change in the relationships between Microsoft and the Windows OEMs.

Again you simply ignore what I say, the biggest 3 oems arent in the tablet market currently and are thinking of entering it with windows 8 .

Again this is no different from google and android in the smartphone market .

The OEMs have to sell Microsoft products, not "push" them. Acer for one is a big Windows OEM. They'd be a partner with Microsoft even if they hadn't agreed to develop Windows RT tablets, which they have. Now Microsoft has positioned themselves as both a partner and a competitor. That's a new relationship, and very different relationship. if Acer is already publicly raising questions about whether this playing field can possibly be level, then you have to bet the others are as well, if only in private.

More commentary on the issue that you insist doesn't exist:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2411123,00.asp

I never said it doesnt exist , I am saying you see too much importance in it .

Acer is small in the tablet market and 4-5 in the MS oem market

----------

@k995: You are confused. Windows Surface Pro will be running Windows 8 whereas this product we are talking about uses an ARM processor instead of an X86 processor and it runs Windows RT which can only run third party apps that are compiled against WinRT.

Yes I know, it still windows 8 and if you read before it was about the metro apps.

I dont see why companies would write apps for the ipad and not for metro who would be usable on a lot more devices.

So Windows Surface Pro will likely cost over a 1000 dollars, it will have worse battery life because it uses an Intel chip and it will be running windows 8 Pro which can join domains whereas Windows RT cannot.

The price you dont know, and as for the rest: so?

 

[anthonyp01]

Must admit, that keyboard looks pretty nice.

 

[sputnikv]

if anything, i have to commend microsoft for getting out of their comfort zone with this one.

 

[Rogifan]

This Wall Street analyst is on CNBC talking about how Windows 8 is optimized for touch and how users might struggle more with traditional keyboard and mouse. At the same time he's talking up the fact that Microsoft & OEM tablets have Office as a selling feature which Apple doesn't have. Two questions I have:

1. If Windows 8 is all about touch how come Microsoft is putting so much focus on the touch and type covers with their Surface advertising? I have yet to see a photo or advertisement from Microsoft showing the Surface without the cover attached.

2. Has anyone attempted to do real work in Office on a tablet without using a keyboard/mouse/trackpad? I use Excel at work every day. I can't imagine the experience being very pleasant without a traditional keyboard or mouse.

3. There's a slew of touch enabled devices coming from Microsoft's OEM partners. Can someone explain how touching a laptop screen or desktop monitor makes sense or is even ergonomical? The last thing I want on my laptop or desktop screen is a bunch of greasy fingerprints. Doesn't it make more sense to build the touch features into the trackpads rather than the screen? And if it's a convertible device have touch on the screen only enabled when the screen is not attached to the keyboard?

Personally I'm not convinced these 'it's the best of a tablet and laptop' devices will work. I'm more in Tim Cook's camp where this could be a compromise that makes both experiences less than optimal. I think tablets are meant to be more consumption vs content creation devices. And I don't see what's wrong with that.

 

[IJ Reilly]

Again you simply ignore what I say, the biggest 3 oems arent in the tablet market currently and are thinking of entering it with windows 8 .

Again this is no different from google and android in the smartphone market .

It is different, if for no other reason than the 30 years of history between Microsoft and the OEMs. The OEMs are complaining for a reason, one you presume to be unimportant, based upon no logic that I can detect or imagine. The rest of your argument I have in fact ignored, because it's got nothing to do with my point, or the point of the several articles I have now posted backing up what I have said (none of which you have addressed in any way shape or form). And for probably the fourth and definitely the last time, the degree to which this is important is dependent on the level of success of the Surface.

 

[bobmiller1]

Enterprise ready device

That's correct and my IT guy is pretty excited about having to manage one OS over Androids and iOS in the environment.
On a side note, has anyone seen any deals for surface? I saw some here but not sure if they will work or not.
http://www.packersave.com/stores/Microsoft-Store/

Wrong, MS is rolling out support for Surface in SCCM. Can't manage iOS devices with SCCM.

Our company is already planning to buy some to pilot test. I have to co-workers, one a former iOS guy migrated to Android and another a former BB buy recently migrated to Android, chomping at the bit to buy a Surface.

Of course, we just made a VERY public purchase of a lot of iPads already.

Just saying, don't count MS out and I think a lot of your presumptions are incorrect.

 

[k995]

It is different, if for no other reason than the 30 years of history between Microsoft and the OEMs. The OEMs are complaining for a reason, one you presume to be unimportant, based upon no logic that I can detect or imagine.

Actully its inverse YOU blow something out based on a small article about 1 company


No reason? How about the fact that the only complaining doesnt have any large tablet marketshare or is among the largest OEM's?

YOU complain as well, yet it really doesnt matter to MS that you do.

Ignore it all you want these simple facts and believe MS has serious issues, but thats just you hoping (for whatever strange reason you have something against MS)

 

[Titanium81]

But, with the larger native resolution both of these will fit more usable content on the screen to start with.

The extra width on the RT allows you to actually multi-task.

Regardless of the Retina display, most apps are designed for 1024x768, so might look clearer but show less content (without zooming).

Also the MS tablet screen is optically bonded, which will bring the quality closer to the Ipads without amping the resolution.

Being able to truly multi-task is huge.

Sorry bud, but this makes absolutely no sense. Enjoy your Microsoft tablet/computer/surface (whatever it is). The iPad 3 is the superior device.

 

[Aidan5806]

Which patents in particular does it infringe?

while being licensed it uses apple magnetic attachment patent

----------

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.

actually it was partially sarcasm and yes i do understand how patents work. if apples magnetics attachment patent wasn't being license it would easily take these coves off the shelves

 

[7709876]

while being licensed it uses apple magnetic attachment patent

So it doesn't infringe on that patent. Any patents it does ACTUALLY infringe?

 

[Aidan5806]

So it doesn't infringe on that patent. Any patents it does ACTUALLY infringe?

im 100% positive that the multi touch interfacing on a cover patent that apple filed is violated and was not liscenced but i doubt charges will be pressed because apple has yet to implement the patent

 

[7709876]

im 100% positive that the multi touch interfacing on a cover patent that apple filed is violated and was not liscenced but i doubt charges will be pressed because apple has yet to implement the patent

I am actually interested in this. Any evidence to back this up?

 

[Aidan5806]

I am actually interested in this. Any evidence to back this up?

Well im sure you can check this sites archives to find the original story on the patent and obviously there hasn't been a product with it implemented (made by apple), and also obviously the list of patents apple has licensed is not public. However just seeing the macrumors take on makes it clear that the touch cover uses this technology.

 

[SandynJosh]

Developers, Developers, Developers...

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.

My thought too... Each Surface comes pre-loaded with a video showing you how to dance like Monkey Bay himself! Now, bust some moves, toss some tablets, and scream yourself hoarse!

 

[DJTaurus]

Microsoft’s Surface is Apple’s Ping
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2012/10/19/microsofts-surface-is-apples-ping/

 

[SandynJosh]

This Wall Street analyst is on CNBC talking about how Windows 8 is optimized for touch and how users might struggle more with traditional keyboard and mouse. At the same time he's talking up the fact that Microsoft & OEM tablets have Office as a selling feature which Apple doesn't have. Two questions I have:

Before answering your questions I want to mention that MS "Office" on the RT tablet is highly crippled. It is there more in name only. You'll hear a lot more about this once it's on the market. Apple's iWork will open and allow editing to MS Office documents far easier than the Windows 8 implementation.

1. If Windows 8 is all about touch how come Microsoft is putting so much focus on the touch and type covers with their Surface advertising? I have yet to see a photo or advertisement from Microsoft showing the Surface without the cover attached.

The corporate culture at MS is fixated on having a keyboard with all Windows computers and this includes tablets. Think of "touch" having been added to the OS but not central to the software experience. It is not safe to think otherwise within MS.

2. Has anyone attempted to do real work in Office on a tablet without using a keyboard/mouse/trackpad? I use Excel at work every day. I can't imagine the experience being very pleasant without a traditional keyboard or mouse.

The tiny amount that is known about touch-enabled Office Excel on a Samsung tablet shows it to be far from ideal. First, Office is designed to only work in the landscape mode. If your project is tall and not wide, you will be unhappy for sure. Next, touching a cell to edit is hard as you cannot enlarge cells to easily poke the right one. When the cell opens it is still tiny and so it the drop down option choices. You feel like you're trying to poke a doorbell button with a ten-foot fishing pole. How badly crippled the Surface version of Office is will be known by the end of October.

3. There's a slew of touch enabled devices coming from Microsoft's OEM partners. Can someone explain how touching a laptop screen or desktop monitor makes sense or is even ergonomical? The last thing I want on my laptop or desktop screen is a bunch of greasy fingerprints. Doesn't it make more sense to build the touch features into the trackpads rather than the screen? And if it's a convertible device have touch on the screen only enabled when the screen is not attached to the keyboard?

I'm of the mind that it doesn't make any sense to leave the keyboard/touchpad to touch a screen. Especially since much of the Apple gestures will not be included in the applications, including Office.

Personally I'm not convinced these 'it's the best of a tablet and laptop' devices will work. I'm more in Tim Cook's camp where this could be a compromise that makes both experiences less than optimal. I think tablets are meant to be more consumption vs content creation devices. And I don't see what's wrong with that.

Tablets are creations devices, in high-profile court cases you will see them predominately in use by reporters and bloggers. I believe that spreadsheets (as well as documents) will find more creative use once the programs are voice aware. I really don't expect to see Microsoft be in the forefront in this as it's counter to their culture.

The Surface is not really a tablet in my thinking. It requires a table top to operate on. There's no way to prop the Surface up on your lap and have room for the floppy keyboard in front of the device. So you have to find a surface to operate on and use the kickstand to prop up the screen. A laptop would actually work far better and can be operated easier on a lap or table top. The Surface is just a very bad laptop and a consumption-only tablet.

 

[golf1410]

These tablets will have pretty bad battery life.

 

[Renzatic]

The Surface is not really a tablet in my thinking. It requires a table top to operate on.

What is it with people saying that? It includes a keyboard, and suddenly it's "not a tablet". You don't have to use the keyboard in all situations. You can take the keyboard off and use the onscreen one if you want. Just like an iPad.

If the iPad came with the bluetooth keyboard, would you also consider it "not a tablet"?

It's weird. Everyone here has the internet at their disposal, and is probably pretty comfortable using it. It's amazing that, despite that, there are so many ill informed people running around.

Microsoft’s Surface is Apple’s Ping
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2012/10/19/microsofts-surface-is-apples-ping/

That's ignorant. Because MS failed at tablets before, they're likely to fail again. Like Apple having a second go at Ping.

...wait. Didn't Apple completely fail with the Newton? So why'd they try again with the iPad? What idiots, right?