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Microsoft Surface Duo Set to Arrive September 10 For $1,399
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It means, no more "Windows everywhere" and that MS' services will be on all major platforms. And on mobile, that's Android & iOS.
I work for a large corporation. Everyone in our company is using either HP or Dell laptops. I rarely if ever see a Surface device.
Microsoft isn’t doing anything different than what’s been tried before. To argue it’s going to work for them because of their foothold in enterprise is a stretch. I can’t see anyone using Excel or Visual Studio on a device like this. And pretty expensive if it’s just for note taking.
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OK now for your resident Microsoft fan boy's take.... HAHAHAHAHA.... Ok seriously, this is going to flop, the only chance I see is that Panos will refine it as he did with the Surface Pro and maybe in it's 3rd iteration it will be a decent device. I tend to think Microsoft doesn't have that kind of patience anymore and after the 2nd iteration flops this will most likely be discontinued, but we will see.
Why do I think it will flop?
-Well firstly it's grossly overpriced for the specs it brings, these are last years specs and the camera is not even last year.
-The battery is woefully underpowered to drive 2 screens, it's barely enough to get one screen through an "entire day", much less 2 screens.
-The bezels are just so out dated looking, I haven't seen bezels that huge in years. I don't mind small bezels, and with this device small bezels may make sense when holding it in a laptop like configuration, but come on who really has such oversized chunky hands that they need bezels that large?
-Software may save it, although it's not clear where the dual screen technology will shine, if at all. Other than some trailers MS hasn't really revealed just how it's software will utilize the 2 screens. Of course this will only apply to Microsoft's software, I really doubt many devs will jump at the opportunity to program for a single device with no chance of market success.
-No external screen, this will severely hinder it's use as a phone and as a one handed device. I get that it can fold out so both screens are on the outside and this actually sounds cool, but in practice I will be curious how scratched up the side that ends up on the table gets.
Pluses
-It is rather thin, but that's at the expense of the battery
-Stylus input: this is where Samsung got it wrong not putting this on the Fold 2
I've seen people say this is targeted at the corporate market and that price doesn't matter to them. I don't think that's the case, it's being marketed to consumers pretty heavily and will launch at Best Buy. I also don't see the corporate market being happy with the tiny battery, especially for business users who travel a lot.
I've seen people say this is not a phone, but rather a "connected device". That's hogwash, it has phone hardware in it, it's being marketed as a surface "phone", and I highly doubt anyone would eschew the phone portion and carry along a phone with the Duo.
Why do I think it will flop?
-Well firstly it's grossly overpriced for the specs it brings, these are last years specs and the camera is not even last year.
-The battery is woefully underpowered to drive 2 screens, it's barely enough to get one screen through an "entire day", much less 2 screens.
-The bezels are just so out dated looking, I haven't seen bezels that huge in years. I don't mind small bezels, and with this device small bezels may make sense when holding it in a laptop like configuration, but come on who really has such oversized chunky hands that they need bezels that large?
-Software may save it, although it's not clear where the dual screen technology will shine, if at all. Other than some trailers MS hasn't really revealed just how it's software will utilize the 2 screens. Of course this will only apply to Microsoft's software, I really doubt many devs will jump at the opportunity to program for a single device with no chance of market success.
-No external screen, this will severely hinder it's use as a phone and as a one handed device. I get that it can fold out so both screens are on the outside and this actually sounds cool, but in practice I will be curious how scratched up the side that ends up on the table gets.
Pluses
-It is rather thin, but that's at the expense of the battery
-Stylus input: this is where Samsung got it wrong not putting this on the Fold 2
I've seen people say this is targeted at the corporate market and that price doesn't matter to them. I don't think that's the case, it's being marketed to consumers pretty heavily and will launch at Best Buy. I also don't see the corporate market being happy with the tiny battery, especially for business users who travel a lot.
I've seen people say this is not a phone, but rather a "connected device". That's hogwash, it has phone hardware in it, it's being marketed as a surface "phone", and I highly doubt anyone would eschew the phone portion and carry along a phone with the Duo.
It wasn’t a bad device. But it came way to late and wasn’t cool at all.
Same with this. It’s too later to enter the smartphone market with a me too device.
you would need something very innovative to be able to compete and simply sticking two screens together does not count.
this will be discontinued after 3-6 month.
What do you mean? It runs Android. Are you talking about the Neo? That runs Windows X, and has been postponed due to Covid slowing development.
That's not a flaw, that's just a characteristic that doesn't fit your needs. The same argument could be made with pocket-ability and larger phones that started with the Note series way back, some people like them and others like smaller phones. Foldable phones will get better, even the Fold 2 is thinner than the Fold 1, has a better glass screen, etc., plus it has the external screen for when you don't want to open it and use it as a regular phone. While I think the Duo will flop for different reasons I'm actually impressed with how thin it is, folded it's not much thicker than other non folding smartphones out there.
*Nintendo DS from 2004 has entered the chat*
With some tape and two new iPhone SE’s, you can have a way better Duo for under $800!
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Oh my bad, I thought it ran Windows. Android is even worse.
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Someone else mentioned this, I was not aware. I will edit my post.
It's dated, small, and runs Android (updated on my original post) which doesn't have any good tablet apps. I don't see the value.
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Correct, updated on my end. Even worse in my opinion.
It’s like an overpriced Nintendo DS. Hate the dual screen concept. Even with it’s issues, I like how ambitious Samsung is with the Fold and Motorola with the Razr.
Also, the camera. It’s 2020, really, a single 11 megapixel camera? Weak.
Also, the camera. It’s 2020, really, a single 11 megapixel camera? Weak.
I don’t understand why Microsoft is building Android phones. Windows phone was supposed to extend the Microsoft Windows brand. Obviously it failed, but Android phones Are not even a step in that direction. Is Microsoft just trying to pick up some quick bucks? Or become a hardware company? What’s the business strategy?
They might be first to market with this design, but Apple has its ow prototype in the lab, and I’m sure other companies do as well. And anything Android-based invites a flood of knockoffs in the future.
They might be first to market with this design, but Apple has its ow prototype in the lab, and I’m sure other companies do as well. And anything Android-based invites a flood of knockoffs in the future.
I understand the urge to create convergence devices - it sounds so cool! One device for all your computing needs! But I've yet to see a product where the execution of the concept really entices me. You always end up with a product that's too bulky as a phone or too small as a tablet, or both. And at $1,400, it's not even a money saver - you could buy an iPhone/ipad combo that costs less and offers more.
Lol that would actually look better than this, carry better hardware and a superior OS.
Totally looks like a solution in search of a problem. JMHO of course.
I do love the concepts! All I’m really excited for is the future of the apple versions of these. Though if it is to happen I don’t expect it within 5 years...
