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Microsoft Surface Tablet announced

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PotatoeMasher said:
So you guys don't see a problem with how the software actually works? The Verge video demoing Windows 8 and Office 2013 RT makes it clear the software is not touch ready at all. Even from Metro many of the settings panels open back in desktop mode.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/8/31/3281960/windows-rt-office-2013-rt-specs-details-hands-on
Click to expand...

This was a pretty bad demo though. The Desktop isn't super touch-friendly, but you don't need to spend any time in the Desktop at all. I've used Windows RT tablets extensively.

In terms of pure iPad/Android tablet competitiveness, I can't think of anything that you actually need to go to the Desktop for. Any settings that are only accessible in the Desktop control panel tend to be settings you can't even change on the iPad in the first place. PC Settings is fairly comprehensive for things you actually need to change using touch.

His comments that it doesn't have an accelerometer are just wrong. All interfaces rotate quickly and seamlessly.

Office 2013 RT included is preview software. It's not bad with touch, but it could use some improvements. That's why it's called preview software - you'll be stuck with it for a very temporary amount of time once you first turn on a Windows RT tablet at launch.


He basically spent the entire demo in the Desktop pointing out the obvious. It also ignores the fact that when you actually need to do something on the Desktop, mainly using Office, you'll probably have the tablet docked with a keyboard and mouse/trackpad anyway.
 
cjelly said:
The damage control in the comments is amazing.

Honestly, this looks like Tablet PC Edition V2.
Click to expand...

Considering the fact that Windows RT literally can't run any third-party applications in the Desktop, and that everything you acquire will be touch-first stuff from the Store, it's pretty much the exact opposite of Tablet PC Edition. The Verge just made a shitty unrepresentative demo.
 
dLMN8R said:
Considering the fact that Windows RT literally can't run any third-party applications in the Desktop, and that everything you acquire will be touch-first stuff from the Store, it's pretty much the exact opposite of Tablet PC Edition. The Verge just made a shitty unrepresentative demo.
Click to expand...

They showed Office with Touch enabled. It looked unusable.

I don't think it was unrepresentative, at all.
 
cjelly said:
They showed Office with Touch enabled. It looked unusable.

I don't think it was unrepresentative, at all.
Click to expand...

Well, I know for a fact that it is usable, from personal experience, so hey opinions, right? And what I've used (and what The Verge used) is preview software, which will be on Windows RT devices for a very temporary amount of time. And almost every Windows RT tablet comes with a keyboard dock anyway, so who wants to do serious word processing with touch anyway?
 
dLMN8R said:
Well, I know for a fact that it is usable, from personal experience, so hey opinions, right? And what I've used (and what The Verge used) is preview software, which will be on Windows RT devices for a very temporary amount of time. And almost every Windows RT tablet comes with a keyboard dock anyway, so who wants to do serious word processing with touch anyway?
Click to expand...

That is what I am wondering.
 
dLMN8R said:
This was a pretty bad demo though. The Desktop isn't super touch-friendly, but you don't need to spend any time in the Desktop at all. I've used Windows RT tablets extensively.

In terms of pure iPad/Android tablet competitiveness, I can't think of anything that you actually need to go to the Desktop for. Any settings that are only accessible in the Desktop control panel tend to be settings you can't even change on the iPad in the first place. PC Settings is fairly comprehensive for things you actually need to change using touch.
Click to expand...

But one of the talking points for Windows 8 has been "Finally a tablet that's a REAL COMPUTER!"
 
lunarworks said:
But one of the talking points for Windows 8 has been "Finally a tablet that's a REAL COMPUTER!"
Click to expand...

I believe the talking points have been Windows now has a touch based interface for when you want touch, and the desktop interface when you want to do that sort of stuff, which most people would do with a dock. There have been W7 tablets for a while now if someone wanted a tablet that was a "REAL COMPUTER!"
 
PotatoeMasher said:
So you guys don't see a problem with how the software actually works? The Verge video demoing Windows 8 and Office 2013 RT makes it clear the software is not touch ready at all. Even from Metro many of the settings panels open back in desktop mode.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/8/31/3281960/windows-rt-office-2013-rt-specs-details-hands-on
Click to expand...

If they don't ship soon, Windows is done for. They're probably gonna clean up the desktop/metro incongruity with point updates.

This thing should have shipped in Q1 of this year.
 
lunarworks said:
But one of the talking points for Windows 8 has been "Finally a tablet that's a REAL COMPUTER!"
Click to expand...

Well, it is. And inherently a real computer is best when you use the right interface paradigm for the right tasks. Especially if it's x86/x64 supporting full backwards compatibility too.
 
As some of you guys know that my university is doing test drive with the students using the Surface RT... Its been a train wreck from what I share from the students:

The students want to use the Keyboard with other things or further away. On top of this, bluetooth is wonky and needs updated drivers from Microsoft. Students are try to install x86 applications on a RT machine. Although it has Angry Birds. lol Aside from that, as Verge is reporting touch functionality for the Office still needs some work. Honestly, I don't see the point of having the desktop at all for the RT version of the Surface from what I have seen a few students trying to do work on the Surface RT. Another office issue they are facing is lag with the surface tablets with saving things (windows saving). It slows down the computer and professor has moved on to the next topic. For some odd reason the students need to convert all the files into PDF files before they are allowed to write notes on them.

Personally I don't own the Microsoft Surface RT, but a lot of my students do. I am Teaching Assistant for a couple Biology Labs at my university.
 
Zapages said:
As some of you guys know that my university is doing test drive with the students using the Surface RT... Its been a train wreck from what I share from the students:

The students want to use the Keyboard with other things or further away. On top of this, bluetooth is wonky and needs updated drivers from Microsoft. Aside from that, as Verge is reporting touch functionality for the Office still needs some work. Another office issue they are facing is lag with the surface tablets with saving things (windows saving). It slows down the computer and professor has moved on to the next topic. For some odd reason the students need to convert all the files into PDF files before they are allowed to write notes on them.

Personally I don't own the Microsoft Surface RT, but a lot of my students do. I am Teaching Assistant for a couple Biology Labs at my university.
Click to expand...

I believe you are lying or misinformed. There is no "university test drive" for Surface. And if there was, you definitely wouldn't know about it, or be allowed to talk about it.
 
Zapages said:
As some of you guys know that my university is doing test drive with the students using the Surface RT... Its been a train wreck from what I share from the students:

The students want to use the Keyboard with other things or further away. On top of this, bluetooth is wonky and needs updated drivers from Microsoft. Students are try to install x86 applications on a RT machine. Although it has Angry Birds. lol Aside from that, as Verge is reporting touch functionality for the Office still needs some work. Honestly, I don't see the point of having the desktop at all for the RT version of the Surface from what I have seen a few students trying to do work on the Surface RT. Another office issue they are facing is lag with the surface tablets with saving things (windows saving). It slows down the computer and professor has moved on to the next topic. For some odd reason the students need to convert all the files into PDF files before they are allowed to write notes on them.

Personally I don't own the Microsoft Surface RT, but a lot of my students do. I am Teaching Assistant for a couple Biology Labs at my university.
Click to expand...
your students have access to Microsoft Surfaces? I have a hard time believing that.
 
A Samsung slate is not a microsoft surface.
Tablets and Ultrabooks

Students from the Class of 2016 enrolled in science or honors programs will receive the Samsung Slate PC. Powered by Microsoft’s brand new Windows 8 operating system, the Slate offers the convenience of a tablet with the productivity of a PC.

Freshmen in all other disciplines are receiving the Samsung Series 5 ultra book featuring similar access to Windows 8 as well as Windows 7. As part of their junior year technology refresh, juniors in the same disciplines upgrade to Samsung tablets and laptops this fall.
Click to expand...
 
dLMN8R said:
That's fantastic, but Surface RT is not mentioned on that page, and even if it was, it is not a product that is out yet, and certainly not to students. Perhaps they'll get one upon release.
Click to expand...


It was suppose to be the Surface RT, well at least that was statement in August...

Windu said:
A Samsung slate is not a microsoft surface.
Click to expand...

They have keyboard like what I have seen on the Surface RT Tablets... Basically they have RT installed on it.
 
Zapages said:
They have keyboard like what I have seen on the Surface RT Tablets... Basically they have RT installed on it.
Click to expand...

Windows RT is not Windows 8 and can't be installed on a computer.

rDckF.jpg


They gave them away at the last Build conference.
 
Zapages said:
They have keyboard like what I have seen on the Surface RT Tablets... Basically they have RT installed on it.
Click to expand...

This thread is about Surface, not about Windows RT. You specifically said that Surface RT was a train wreck, but you're talking about another device entirely. And you're also talking about Windows 8.
 
Damon Bennet said:
i only see something about a samsung slate



you cannot install rt on a samsung slate.
Click to expand...

That is why I am saying that got they Surface RT. Well at least in Biology/Chemistry/Math/Physics folks have... In the past they have received Tablet PCs.

I don't know about the rest of the folks.

brotkasten said:
Windows RT is not Windows 8 and can't be installed on a computer.

rDckF.jpg


They gave them away at the last Build conference.
Click to expand...

That is definitely not the thing that the students have.
 
Zapages said:
That is why I am saying that got they Surface RT. Well at least in Biology/Chemistry/Math/Physics folks have... In the past they have received Tablet PCs.

I don't know about the rest of the folks.



That is definitely not the thing that the students have.
Click to expand...

Surfaces are locked down tight man. They absolutely did not give them out at your school.
 
Zapages said:
That is why I am saying that got they Surface RT. Well at least in Biology/Chemistry/Math/Physics folks have... In the past they have received Tablet PCs.

I don't know about the rest of the folks.



That is definitely not the thing that the students have.
Click to expand...
NGqOO.jpg


VtIHF.jpg


04DI8.jpg
Click to expand...

That's what the Surface with Windows RT looks like.

If they don't have the one in the pictures, they don't have a Surface.
 
JaggedSac said:
Surfaces are locked down tight man. They absolutely did not give them out at your school.
Click to expand...


dejay said:
This thread is about Surface, not about Windows RT. You specifically said that Surface RT was a train wreck, but you're talking about another device entirely. And you're also talking about Windows 8.
Click to expand...

I am talking about Surface RT... That what it appears the student have. Aside from this, I have talked with faculty there, it is definitely Surface RT for the Science department and not the Slate PC.

Everything needs to be updated and everything is ARM based PCs.
brotkasten said:
That's what the Surface with Windows RT looks like.
Click to expand...

Yep that is exactly what the Science students have.
 
You're confused.

Microsoft Surface = not yet released Microsoft branded Hardware. Two versions, one for windows 8 and one for windows rt.

Windows 8 = Operating System for Intel/Amd based devices (aka samsung slate)

Windows RT = Operating System for ARM based devices (OS is not sold to consumers, only available with new devices that have not been released.)

edit: soo your saying your students do have surfaces and you are not under a nda? Once again, i find that hard to believe.
 
Zapages said:
The students want to use the Keyboard with other things or further away.
Click to expand...
It would be nice if there was a universal dock standard like the apple dock connector that would allow you to use a dock with multiple devices and not have to buy a brand new one if you get a different tablet, or as this guy mentioned, link up with the tablet or another device over bluetooth without being attached to it..

Zapages said:
I am talking about Surface RT... That what it appears the student have. Aside from this, I have talked with faculty there, it is definitely Surface RT for the Science department and not the Slate PC.

Everything needs to be updated and everything is ARM based PCs.

Yep that is exactly what the Science students have.
Click to expand...
Ask your students if they had to sign an NDA to use it.
 
Windu said:
You're confused.

Microsoft Surface = not yet released Microsoft branded Hardware. Two versions, one for windows 8 and one for windows rt.

Windows 8 = Operating System for Intel/Amd based devices (aka samsung slate)

Windows RT = Operating System for ARM based devices (OS is not sold to consumers, only available with new devices that have not been released.)

edit: soo your saying your students do have surfaces and you are not under a nda? Once again, i find that hard to believe.
Click to expand...

I am not under NDA at all. None of the students and faculty are either.

Its windows RT/Surface Tablets.

Here is another thread where they talking about Seton Hall giving out Surface RTs and Lumina 900s: http://forums.wpcentral.com/tablets-discussion/195428.htm and exact post: http://forums.wpcentral.com/1685025-post4.htm

I don't know why you guys don't believe me. As I talked about this before in this or other thread.
 
Zapages said:
I am not under NDA at all. None of the students and faculty are either.

Its windows RT/Surface Tablets.

Here is another thread where they talking about Seton Hall giving out Surface RTs and Lumina 900s: http://forums.wpcentral.com/tablets-discussion/195428.htm

I don't know why you guys don't believe me. As I talked about this before in this or other thread.
Click to expand...

Don't worry about them.

They'd only believe you if it was all gushing praise.
 
rozay said:
The post right after the one regarding RT tablets:
They are not handing windows rt tablets, they are getting Samsung series 7 tablets with windows 8 pro or a series 5 ultra book with the same
Even the original link you posted stated Samsung slates.
Click to expand...

I know that... But what we have been told (Faculty/TAs/TFs) and what I have seen... Its definitely the Surface... In the past Science Students at Seton Hall have received different Laptops than the non-Science Students.

For example, I received the Thinkpad X41 Tablets as compared to my non-science friends who received T60s back in 2006.
 
cjelly said:
Don't worry about them.

They'd only believe you if it was all gushing praise.
Click to expand...
The replies would actually be the same, maybe with a hint more excitement, unless dLMN8R is trying to cover this up or isn't in a position to be aware of said program.
 
Zapages said:
Yep that is exactly what the Science students have.
Click to expand...

Take a picture and show us. I 100% do not believe you.

Zapages said:
Its windows RT/Surface Tablets.

Here is another thread where they talking about Seton Hall giving out Surface RTs and Lumina 900s: http://forums.wpcentral.com/tablets-discussion/195428.htm and exact post: http://forums.wpcentral.com/1685025-post4.htm
Click to expand...

From your link

They are not handing windows rt tablets, they are getting Samsung series 7 tablets with windows 8 pro or a series 5 ultra book with the same
Click to expand...
 
Zapages said:
I am not under NDA at all. None of the students and faculty are either.
Click to expand...
That tells me you don't have microsoft surfaces. Microsoft has locked these things down big time. There is no way they would let students (and these students are not even in the tech field) have these devices without a nda. Even with a nda it is still extremely skeptical.
 
If what you are saying is true though (its not) tell one of your students to contact the verge or engadget and make a couple of thousand dollars by letting them get a up close look at it. (that is how locked down this stuff is)
 
Windu said:
That tells me you don't have microsoft surfaces. Microsoft has locked these things down big time. There is no way they would let students (and these students are not even in the tech field) have these devices without a nda. Even with a nda it is still extremely skeptical.
Click to expand...

I never said that I have one of those tablets... I am just teaching assistant. My friend, who is a teaching assistant as well is working more closely with the students. She came to me with all these complaints that the students had about their new tablets. One more thing, the tablets can't print to our school's printers as they don't have drivers for them. Ie. they are ARM based.

The school's reason and Tech support of our school's reasons are that much of the drivers are still in beta/we don't have them... Hence all these problems are present. They will be rectified throughout this semester. A hint towards Surface's release.

If you want to believe me or not... Its up to you guys. :)
 
Zapages said:
As some of you guys know that my university is doing test drive with the students using the Surface RT... Its been a train wreck from what I share from the students:

The students want to use the Keyboard with other things or further away. On top of this, bluetooth is wonky and needs updated drivers from Microsoft. Students are try to install x86 applications on a RT machine. Although it has Angry Birds. lol Aside from that, as Verge is reporting touch functionality for the Office still needs some work. Honestly, I don't see the point of having the desktop at all for the RT version of the Surface from what I have seen a few students trying to do work on the Surface RT. Another office issue they are facing is lag with the surface tablets with saving things (windows saving). It slows down the computer and professor has moved on to the next topic. For some odd reason the students need to convert all the files into PDF files before they are allowed to write notes on them.

Personally I don't own the Microsoft Surface RT, but a lot of my students do. I am Teaching Assistant for a couple Biology Labs at my university.
Click to expand...
If there is slowdown then its definitely because of tegra3, this means Surface isn't using tegra3+. All devices using tegra3 has i/o related slowdowns.

Thank god samsung went with snapdragon s4.
 
Magic Ovaries said:
If there is slowdown then its definitely because of tegra3, this means Surface isn't using tegra3+. All devices using tegra3 has i/o related slowdowns.

Thank god samsung went with snapdragon s4.
Click to expand...
his students are not using Surface for windows RT.
 
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