Microsoft Surface

[Red Storm]

Lol, you're acting as if its absurdly larger, its not.

The iPad 3 is not exactly light. That doesn't bode well for the Pro's mobility.

 

[Mopetar]

If a x86 based tablet has to be twice as thick (or more) than an iPad 3 AND it gets hotter than an iPad 3 (or has cooling ports you can't block) then it is much less appealing on first touch than the iPad.

I always considered the x86 Surface to be for professional use, whereas the ARM version would probably be the one to compete against the iPad and other tablets. If you have a compelling need for an x86 tablet, the tradeoffs should be worth it.

 

[ITHURTSWHENIP]

Thurrott says no chance its going to be 199. MJ Foley doesnt seem as sure

Definately a gamechanger if true

 

[Red Storm]

I just find it funny that people say the Pro is for serious professional users looking to do actual work but they don't mention that doing such work on anything but a real keyboard is not exactly an enjoyable process. Even on the Transformer keyboards or those iPad BT keyboards is not very feasible because of how cramped it is.

 

[MrX8503]

Lol, you're acting as if its absurdly larger, its not.

Uh..its around half an inch thick and two pounds. Definitely not a light or portable tablet.

 

[s44]

Transformer keyboard spacing is fine, it just needs more travel. But then I'm used to a mechanical...

 

[sequoia464]

Thurrott says no chance its going to be 199. MJ Foley doesnt seem as sure

Definately a gamechanger if true

Does Thurrott hazard a guess as to pricing?

 

[Lifted]

But the Surface Pro isn't a good tablet. When I asked if its a better ultra book, I'm referring to its notebook features only. If the Surface Pro doesn't beat a tablet or an ultrabook individually, then the thing you're buying into is convenience. I like multifunction devices too, but only if it does those functions well.

There is a difference between doing something well and being the best solution. Most people will have a full size keyboard and monitor at the office, and many will have one or both at home as well. You are completely ignoring the fact that people can't easily pull out their ultrabook on the train, in a waiting room, in a restaurant, etc., to get on the web or work with email. Those things can be done on a tablet, sitting and standing, without giving it a second thought.

You seem to be forgetting that ultrabooks are supposed to be ultra portable. What is more portable than a 2lb Surface? The Acer Aspire S7 is somewhere around 2.2 - 2.6lbs, the ThinkPad X1 is 3lbs, etc. When you refer to ultrabook "features", what feature is the Surface short in? A larger chicklet keyboard? Those can be bought. The feature most people are concerned with is weight and build quality, and the Surface looks as if it will have ultrabooks beat or matched in both.

the thing you're buying into is convenience

Isn't that the entire point of an ultrabook? Not nearly as convenient as a Surface if I can't pull it out and use without a proper table and seating, is it? I suppose then you'd say I should carry around a tablet too for such occasions, as that would clearly be much more convenient.

 

[Zaap]

$199 and I'd own it yesterday. Of course, like most, I don't really believe it.

A loss leader price like that could be a curse as well as a blessing though. It'd go off like an atom bomb in the tablet/ultraportable market and spoil consumers into expecting $200 to be the new norm. Any company that actually wanted to make money on the hardware side would have a hard time of it. Personally, I doubt supply could keep up with demand for a $200 surface, but it'd sure be interesting.

 

[MrX8503]

There is a difference between doing something well and being the best solution. Most people will have a full size keyboard and monitor at the office, and many will have one or both at home as well. You are completely ignoring the fact that people can't easily pull out their ultrabook on the train, in a waiting room, in a restaurant, etc., to get on the web or work with email. Those things can be done on a tablet, sitting and standing, without giving it a second thought.

You seem to be forgetting that ultrabooks are supposed to be ultra portable. What is more portable than a 2lb Surface? The Acer Aspire S7 is somewhere around 2.2 - 2.6lbs, the ThinkPad X1 is 3lbs, etc. When you refer to ultrabook "features", what feature is the Surface short in? A larger chicklet keyboard? Those can be bought. The feature most people are concerned with is weight and build quality, and the Surface looks as if it will have ultrabooks beat or matched in both.

Isn't that the entire point of an ultrabook? Not nearly as convenient as a Surface if I can't pull it out and use without a proper table and seating, is it? I suppose then you'd say I should carry around a tablet too for such occasions, as that would clearly be much more convenient.

What I'm saying is, is it better than a tablet? Is it better than an ultrabook? Individual comparisons here. If its better than both, then it'll be a success. If its not better, you're buying convenience of having one device.

A toaster oven can do tasks that a toaster and an oven can do, but it's not better than both individually. Thus the reasons for people still owning toasters and ovens.

 

[sequoia464]

A bit of info from Lenovo on their W8 based tablets, $300-$400 for the RT - $600-$700 for the Intel based.


Link (from Anands front page) ... http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=25440

 

[Strk]

A bit of info from Lenovo on their W8 based tablets, $300-$400 for the RT - $600-$700 for the Intel based.


Link (from Anands front page) ... http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=25440

I think the Lenovo quote is being misused a little. They said the ARM tablets will be $200-300 less than the x86 models, which will start $600-700. Maybe I'm just being a pessimist, but I'm think it's more likely starting at $400. A Lenovo or Surface tablet for $400 will be a pretty good deal though.

 

[386DX]

I think the Lenovo quote is being misused a little. They said the ARM tablets will be $200-300 less than the x86 models, which will start $600-700. Maybe I'm just being a pessimist, but I'm think it's more likely starting at $400. A Lenovo or Surface tablet for $400 will be a pretty good deal though.

Lenovo has a history of over pricing there products before they are launch (Thinkpad X1 Carbon lenovo quote $1499, can actually be bought for $1000. Same trend with the X230, T430, etc) so if they $600-$700 is what they are saying the x86 tablet is going to be it'll most likely be sold for $500 when it's released. That means there's a good chances the arm tablet could sell for $200-$300.

 

[finbarqs]

I just find it funny that people say the Pro is for serious professional users looking to do actual work but they don't mention that doing such work on anything but a real keyboard is not exactly an enjoyable process. Even on the Transformer keyboards or those iPad BT keyboards is not very feasible because of how cramped it is.

don't forget that this thing HAS USB ports. plug in your favorite keyboard. Done.

 

[Dominato3r]

don't forget that this thing HAS USB ports. plug in your favorite keyboard. Done.

Someone here was asking me if WindowsRT shared the same driver model as regular Windows, and an MS exec confirmed it. You can plug in a printer, camera, box controller, pretty much any peripheral in existence will work with these things.

 

[Rottie]

I asked my roommate about MS Surface to replace his aging Dell Inpirion 1501 laptop (he doesn't play games, he only do email, browsing, watch movies) he doesn't find Surface very interesting. So I guess MS Surface might be FAIL?

 

[MrX8503]

don't forget that this thing HAS USB ports. plug in your favorite keyboard. Done.

Which now makes it less portable than an Ultrabook.

 

[Red Storm]

Which now makes it less portable than an Ultrabook.

This. If you're carrying a mouse, keyboard, and whatever else to hook into this thing, you're not being more portable.

 

[zerocool84]

This. If you're carrying a mouse, keyboard, and whatever else to hook into this thing, you're not being more portable.

But you're more productive. I see tons of people with tablets carrying all that.

 

[Skel]

I asked my roommate about MS Surface to replace his aging Dell Inpirion 1501 laptop (he doesn't play games, he only do email, browsing, watch movies) he doesn't find Surface very interesting. So I guess MS Surface might be FAIL?

not sure who your roommate is, but I'm interested in how he's the deciding factor in the Surface's success

 

[Red Storm]

But you're more productive. I see tons of people with tablets carrying all that.

You know what I love about my tablets? They aren't running Windows. I suspect I'm not the only one who feels that way.

 

[dguy6789]

The whole point of Windows 8 is to make running Windows on a tablet desirable.

 

[Dominato3r]

You know what I love about my tablets? They aren't running Windows. I suspect I'm not the only one who feels that way.

So you have some vendetta for the platform and probably wont budge no matter what they do?

 

[deathBOB]

You know what I love about my tablets? They aren't running Windows. I suspect I'm not the only one who feels that way.

People like you (and me, I totally agree) are why MS is NOT just using windows.

 

[zerocool84]

You know what I love about my tablets? They aren't running Windows. I suspect I'm not the only one who feels that way.

I've not tried W8 on a tablet but have been running the Consumer Preview on my PC and I'm not too crazy about it but it definitely looks like it's perfect for mobile devices.