No chance. They even called it an accessory.
Microsoft Surface Tablet announced
- Thread starter Windu
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No chance. They even called it an accessory.
Gary Whitta
Member
They said it will be included but not how all the different color combos will work.
Boom.
That's a pretty big of them to include it if true. Though it is a big part of how it will function and should come with one.
With a cover in the box – that's four different hardware models, coming in four colors, possibly with two distinct types of covers.
Unless confirmed, I'm highly skeptical one will be included.
I think the idea is that the keyboard will increase the price by some amount (probably not $100).
The keyboard situation is a little confusing, since they showed off multiple colors AND multiple types of keyboards. So which board comes packed in with the Surface? Which color comes packed in with the Surface?
Maybe this is why they only seem to want to sell it at Microsoft Stores and online. There won't be any base SKU......online orders just allow you to select your board type and board color. Regular retailers probably wouldn't want to deal with all the hassle of stocking 10 different keyboards, so MS just sells it at their store.
Surely they won't be creating a dozen different boxed SKUs to cover every possible combination between 2 keyboards, 5 colors, and 2 different storage capacities.
Besides SmartGlass, you can install the preview of Windows 8 and check out the integration yourself.
Once you hook up the Xbox Companion you get a "Play on Xbox" option for Games, Video and Music. Inside the companion you get access to Quickplay, Search and all the other stuff.
Really? I did not hear that.
Dreams-Visions
Member
I didn't either.
Sounds very unlikely. Unless it's just an accessory you select during time of purchase. That'd be an effective way to handle the color options.
Wha? I watched the entire thing. They didn't say that once. It obviously won't be included, if only for SKU reasons. It'd be a complete mess.
Gary Whitta
Member
Huh, I guess I'm mistaken. I'm repeating what someone else said earlier in this thread. Learned my lesson!
One of the liveblogs must have mistakenly reported that the cover/keyboard was included, becuase a ton of people (myself included) seem to be under that impression. I can swear I remember reading that somewhere! But now that I go back and watch the actual video of the event, I can't find anyplace they claim that the cover will be in the box.
Gary Whitta
Member
Makes sense that they would exclude it to keep that all-important entry-level cost down. I imagine they'll be sold separately just like Apple sells the Smart Covers, and I suspect a lot of people will buy them because they're like Smart Covers but much better and more useful.
Beautifully Shaped Monsters
Member
I don't think MS is handling this launch very well. They announce it way too early, and they don't provide two key infos: Price and Battery life, leading people to speculate like mad, and allowing a large segment to dismiss it by assuming it will be too expensive and/or have crap battery life.
MS took a huge que from Apple on industrial design, they really need to learn how Apple announces new products as well.
Also, for god sake, find somebody more charismatic than Ballmer to present your products, he makes Don Mattrick look like Clark Gable.
MS took a huge que from Apple on industrial design, they really need to learn how Apple announces new products as well.
Also, for god sake, find somebody more charismatic than Ballmer to present your products, he makes Don Mattrick look like Clark Gable.
Beerman462
Member
Cause it's not a launch it's a reveal. Not revealing the key points cause's people to discuss it, which is probably what they want.
Glorified G
Member
I understand not including it for the RT versions. But I would be surprised if it was sold separately for the Pro version since it's being pushed as a Tablet--PC hybrid.
Gary Whitta
Member
I can see a scenario where the keyboard is bundled with the Pro version but not the RT. Makes sense, and another key differentiator between the two SKUs. I imagine the keyboards will be packaged separately and you'll just choose which color you want at checkout.
Shogmaster
Member
I think $500 gap will differentiate the two SKUs fine. I really don't see them including the covers. Especially if they keep the Pro under $1000 MSRP ($999).
Stephen Colbert
Banned
Apple products consistently have the highest customer satisfaction numbers. People have a better experience with their macs than with any other competing brand.
As a mostly windows man myself (cutting edge windows desktop and laptop and one air) I still acknowledge apple performs better and offer a better overall user experience. It's partially because they perform so well and so reliably that they do have such a good brand name.
Once you go apple, you don't go back. I've seen it happen many many times.
infinityBCRT
Member
To me it was the spec sheet below which implied that the surface would be packaged with both keyboards (and the fact that pretty much every official image of the Surface is with the keyboard covers). Otherwise its weird for them to show Office under the RT version (which we know is bundled) but not under the Pro version (which we know won't be bundled but will be available separately).
Gary Whitta
Member
I guess they could take it back at any time, but that reads pretty definitively to me.
Hmmm, or not. I guess you could read it either way.
See, Apple would never confuse me like this!
Hmmm, or not. I guess you could read it either way.
See, Apple would never confuse me like this!
MS took notes from the Zune/Zune HD, which long did much of what Surface is doing design wise. Neither of those looking anything Apple.
Antiwhippy
the holder of the trombone
Isn't he just talking about presentation and timing of the announcement, not their design?
Apple only announces something when it's close to release.
Apple only announces something when it's close to release.
I guess they could bundle the black (or whatever neutral color) touch cover with all SKUs and let the user buy additional colors of their choice.
Interesting. That does make an implication. Or am I making an assumption?
MS is in a very different position from Apple. They needed to build consumer and developer interest in Windows 8 and the OEMs weren't getting the job done.
Dreams-Visions
Member
again, since the bulk of sales will be online (lol, Microsoft Stores), people can check whichever color box they want and the shippers will put the appropriate color in.
not a big deal.
mhayze
Member
I think it's much more likely to be a bonus / bundle - "Buy a 32GB Surface this weekend, get a cover in your choice of color" - something like that.
Mike Works
Member
If they include a keyboard with either version, wouldn't they then have to create seperate SKU's for the two different types of keyboards?
Gary Whitta
Member
I'd be amazed if the keyboards weren't universal across RT and Pro versions. Why would the keyboard need to be different?
Shogmaster
Member
That was demonstrated in the unveiling.
Gary Whitta
Member
Thanks, that answers my question.
Shogmaster
Member
thinking more about it after that website blurb, perhaps you guys are right: The touch key cover comes with the units and the physical key cover is the optional buy.
Gary Whitta
Member
Oh okay that's how they're doing it I bet.
Touch Cover comes in five vibrant colors. Type Cover offers classic typing experience for those who prefer a more traditional keyboard. Pick the one that best meets your needs and represents your sense of style.
Yeah, I'm not really sure what to make of that. Does the Touch Cover come in the box? Does the Type cover come in the box? Does either? "Pick the one" makes it sound like it's either a separate purchase or you receive some kind of voucher that lets you get whichever color/type you want.
Seems strange that there hasn't been any clarification......surely some of the journalists at the event must have asked.
Yeah, I'm not really sure what to make of that. Does the Touch Cover come in the box? Does the Type cover come in the box? Does either? "Pick the one" makes it sound like it's either a separate purchase or you receive some kind of voucher that lets you get whichever color/type you want.
Seems strange that there hasn't been any clarification......surely some of the journalists at the event must have asked.
Mike Works
Member
I think one of us is confused over what's being discussed here (and it's probably me).
There are 2 different types of keyboards: the practically flat one, and the one with actual raised keys.
Are you guys suggesting that every surface will come with the flat keyboard, and people who want the raised keys will have to buy that cover separately?
I know that Microsoft is going for an ideological thing here, and perhaps they do want every unit to have a keyboard, but don't you think there are some potential RT users who won't want a keyboard, or Pro users who will want the raised one?
I'm not sure if I know which approach is best, but I had just assumed that the models wouldn't come with any cover, and you would just buy them separately on launch.
Angelus Errare
Banned
The fuck? They look nothing alike other than...being rectangles.
Damon Bennet
Member
they wouldnt even think of bundling a multi-functional cover with their device
If any keyboard is going to come bundled in the retail box, I suspect it will be the Touch Type one, since that one makes the profile thinner and is the one Microsoft seems to regard as a more impressive piece of technology ("You can rest your fingers on the home keys and it won't register the input!").
I don't know enough the speculate which pad is more expensive to manufacture, but that will probably play a key role in deciding which one (if either) is free.
Solid, lightweight metal casing rather than cheap plastic casing. That seems to be the main Apple influence.
D
Deleted member 22576
Unconfirmed Member
*gotta listen / mhmm yeah / gotta listen / mhmm yeah / gotta listen / mhmm yeah*
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=39099386#post39099386
*pelvic thrust*
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=39099386#post39099386
*pelvic thrust*
chickdigger802
Banned
Saw this on here
http://www.tested.com/news/44834-microsofts-surface-is-more-than-just-an-ipad-competitor/
like what is the best cpu/hdd/ram combo you can get for an ultrabook right now?
http://www.tested.com/news/44834-microsofts-surface-is-more-than-just-an-ipad-competitor/
like what is the best cpu/hdd/ram combo you can get for an ultrabook right now?
Beautifully Shaped Monsters
Member
I didn't mean they look the same. I mean in terms of making a polished well designed piece of hardware, rather than just throwing ports and screens together at random like a lot of OEMs seemingly does.
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