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[maeh2k]

Office is a big feature still makes me laugh, are there really that many people using Office on the go? Especially on a consumer device

Office would be a pretty big plus for me. I get by using some Office alternatives like Latex, Libre Office, and Office Web Apps. For me it's not worth the price since I do get by, but these alternatives can't quite match Office.
I'd also use it on the go, but you could just as well plug in a screen and a keyboard at home. I think it's very compelling.

Have the internals been unveiled yet (Aside from screen res and storage)? Memory? Processor?

It's a Tegra 3 processor and has 2 GB of RAM.

 

[brotkasten]

I don't think I've seen this being used in portrait mode yet, in any of the MS advertising... does it not work or something?

Oh, it does work.

But 16:9 tablets are total shit for exact that reason. Portrait mode looks and feels terrible with that aspect ratio and not every content looks good in landscape.

And if you excuse me now, I have to run from the mob.

 

[KAL2006]

Quick question i have heard the pro version is basically a laptop with normal windows os. So is it possible to play games like Diablo 3 and Witcher 2 on it. Also can u just plug in a mouse or 360 controller through the usb port and be good to go like a regular laptop.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

Quick question i have heard the pro version is basically a laptop with normal windows os. So is it possible to play games like Diablo 3 and Witcher 2 on it. Also can u just plug in a mouse or 360 controller through the usb port and be good to go like a regular laptop.

yes

 

[brotkasten]

Quick question i have heard the pro version is basically a laptop with normal windows os. So is it possible to play games like Diablo 3 and Witcher 2 on it. Also can u just plug in a mouse or 360 controller through the usb port and be good to go like a regular laptop.

That is correct. Thought you still have to consider the internal Intel GPU of the Surface with Windows 8 Pro. It's not very good and it won't run games well (or games like TW2 at all). It's not a dedicated GPU from AMD or Nvidia.

 

[Dipswitch]

It's a Tegra 3 processor and has 2 GB of RAM.

Cheers. Should hopefully make for a snappy experience.

Price is high enough to give me pause however - Gonna have to play with this first. Fortunately, I've got both a pop up store and Microsoft store not too far from me.

 

[The Faceless Master]

New Surface ad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcU-xf-skts

oh man, fuck it.

i.

am

fucking

SOLD


will wait for Surface Pro for sure now. that shit looks so fucking incredible, sorry Acer

 

[PG2G]

I am really liking what I'm seeing with this and the new lumia W8 phone but I'll never understand why my kids will still want ipad and iphone.
Although having office for this could tip her over, it's her biggest complaint with apple HW. She would love to carry her stuff from work on a USB stick and then plug it into this when she gets home, she can't do that with ipad and that's why ipad is nothing more than something to look at photos and post on FB.

Even better, she might not have to carry anything as it could all be sync'd to SkyDrive and available from tablet and phone. Depending on the policies of the work place I guess.

 

[Conor 419]

That is correct. Thought you still have to consider the internal Intel GPU of the Surface with Windows 8 Pro. It's not very good and it won't run games well (or games like TW2 at all). It's not a dedicated GPU from AMD or Nvidia.

What game would be Surface Pro's benchmark do you think?
Also, am I right in saying that the Duo 11 i7 model would be the most powerful Windows Tablet?
Do any of these new devices have a dedicated GPU?

 

[KAL2006]

yes

Cool now i just gotta know how powerful it will be, i may get rid of my old desktop PC, another cool thing is that it has HDMI out so i can display movies and games on the tv if i want to.

 

[maeh2k]

Quick question i have heard the pro version is basically a laptop with normal windows os. So is it possible to play games like Diablo 3 and Witcher 2 on it. Also can u just plug in a mouse or 360 controller through the usb port and be good to go like a regular laptop.

You can look at benchmarks for current Ultrabooks with a core i5 ULV and an integrated HD4000. Not exactly a gaming device but using a lower resoltion and low details a lot of games should run.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Quick question i have heard the pro version is basically a laptop with normal windows os. So is it possible to play games like Diablo 3 and Witcher 2 on it. Also can u just plug in a mouse or 360 controller through the usb port and be good to go like a regular laptop.

hold on, tiger.

Surface Pro is running integrated graphics. I'm not sure what kind of resolution and quality you're expecting those games to run at, but they're barely enjoyable on my laptop with 1GB of dedicated graphics. I can't really imagine hoping to get a playable, enjoyable experience out of those games on Intel Integrated, despite the strides their integrated graphics have taken. In addition, it's expected the Surface Pro will have an underclocked CPU inside of it because it's only passively cooled (iirc?).

I think games with graphics around a 2005-level of intensity would work for you. Your Half-Life 2's, Portals, Trines, Braid's, Team Fortress 2's, Greed Corp's, Defense Grid's, and Bioshock's should be okay. I wouldn't expect games beyond that level of power demand to fair well at all.

You can look at benchmarks for current Ultrabooks with a core i5 ULV and an integrated HD4000. Not exactly a gaming device but using a lower resoltion and low details a lot of games should run.

that's what I thought at first too...then I was told the Pro is passively cooled (no fan). Can't be a normally clocked i5 ULV, so I wouldn't use the framerates from a normal laptop as a realistic guide.

 

[Anton Sugar]

I am really liking what I'm seeing with this and the new lumia W8 phone but I'll never understand why my kids will still want ipad and iphone.
Although having office for this could tip her over, it's her biggest complaint with apple HW. She would love to carry her stuff from work on a USB stick and then plug it into this when she gets home, she can't do that with ipad and that's why ipad is nothing more than something to look at photos and post on FB.

Even better, she might not have to carry anything as it could all be sync'd to SkyDrive and available from tablet and phone. Depending on the policies of the work place I guess.

This. In addition to syncing her Windows profile settings (customization/appearance, Metro apps, etc.), you can sync 7 GB (can expand 7 gb for a pretty low yearly fee) using Skydrive. So if she worked on a W8 laptop at work, then came home, her synced documents would appear at home.

 

[maeh2k]

that's what I thought at first too...then I was told the Pro is passively cooled (no fan). Can't be a normally clocked i5 ULV, so I wouldn't use the framerates from a normal laptop as a realistic guide.

The pro is actively cooled.

 

[JaggedSac]

I thought I remember hearing it had fans.

EDIT: beaten, gotta refresh before responding

oh man, fuck it.

i.

am

fucking

SOLD


will wait for Surface Pro for sure now. that shit looks so fucking incredible, sorry Acer

Serious, or sarcasm?

 

[brotkasten]

that's what I thought at first too...then I was told the Pro is passively cooled (no fan). Can't be a normally clocked i5 ULV, so I wouldn't use the framerates from a normal laptop as a realistic guide.

It's actively cooled. They invented a new, fancy fan system that's supposed to be quiet and still keep it cool.

Inb4: Omg, deal breaker.

 

[LukasTaves]

What game would be Surface Pro's benchmark do you think?
Also, am I right in saying that the Duo 11 i7 model would be the most powerful Windows Tablet?
Do any of these new devices have a dedicated GPU?

Among the most, certainly, but there will be other i7 tablets too.

And yes, Transformer Book from Asus has a dedicated nvidia gpu (no details yet, but Asus is holding an event at 23rd october, i'm expecting they will detail that too).

Other than the TFB, the other option could be the Project Fiona, they are currently asking consumers to vote for a integrated gpu solution, a i5 + a mid range gpu or a i7 with a high end gpu... The last time i checked the mid range gpu was the most voted...

 

[JaggedSac]

Do you guys think this thing will hold its value for 3 months until the Surface Pro comes out? I would rather have the Pro, but I wouldn't mind giving this thing a shot and selling it when the Pro releases.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

The pro is actively cooled.

It's actively cooled. They invented a new, fancy fan system that's supposed to be quiet and still keep it cool.

Inb4: Omg, deal breaker.

oh sweet! then maybe we really can compare it directly to ULV ultrabooks?

that's really good news. I saw some good numbers for HD4000 graphics on a lot of current games, but got discouraged when told that it would be passively cooled.

 

[Diseased Yak]

Nothing to see here, I fail at reading.

 

[Interficium]

SOLD

will wait for Surface Pro for sure now

lol.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Just to clear something up (because it wasn't clear to me at first): All Surface RT's come with a "keyboard", the "Black Touch Cover".

You have to pay extra if:

1) You want a different color Touch Cover (which is just STUPID, let me pick when ordering!)

They probably got a better deal manufacturing the black covers in high volume. Want a different color? Pay more.

Do you guys think this thing will hold its value for 3 months until the Surface Pro comes out? I would rather have the Pro, but I wouldn't mind giving this thing a shot and selling it when the Pro releases.

Depends on how the market responds to the RT. It's hard to say today. In January, the answer will be more clear.

 

[Anton Sugar]

Just to clear something up (because it wasn't clear to me at first): All Surface RT's come with a "keyboard", the "Black Touch Cover".

You have to pay extra if:

1) You want a different color Touch Cover (which is just STUPID, let me pick when ordering!)

or

2) You want the Type Cover. This is a more full-featured keyboard.

Anyway, I was confused by this at first, and I've seen some posts saying "If only it came with a keyboard!", well it does, but only the Touch Cover version.

I REALLY don't understand why you can't just pick a different color for just an extra $20. What the hell are you supposed to do with the extra touch cover?

They probably got a better deal manufacturing the black covers in high volume. Want a different color? Pay more.

I don't mind paying a little more, but having to buy an extra is ludicrous.

 

[iFootball]

Just to clear something up (because it wasn't clear to me at first): All Surface RT's come with a "keyboard", the "Black Touch Cover".

Actually, that's not true... the $499 option does not

 

[Nander]

Just to clear something up (because it wasn't clear to me at first): All Surface RT's come with a "keyboard", the "Black Touch Cover".

You have to pay extra if:

1) You want a different color Touch Cover (which is just STUPID, let me pick when ordering!)

or

2) You want the Type Cover. This is a more full-featured keyboard.

Anyway, I was confused by this at first, and I've seen some posts saying "If only it came with a keyboard!", well it does, but only the Touch Cover version.

Don't think so. $499 without any cover at all. $599 bundled with a touch cover (so a $21 discount on the cover if you buy the bundle...).

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

499 is with NO COVER AT ALL.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

I don't mind paying a little more, but having to buy an extra is ludicrous.

ooooh you have to...

.....oooooh. :-/

okay, that's dumb.

 

[Diseased Yak]

Hah! I didn't notice the "without" on the cheapest one. Sorry, I'll amend my post.

(stupid Microsoft)

 

[Penguins&PolarBears]

Cool now i just gotta know how powerful it will be, i may get rid of my old desktop PC, another cool thing is that it has HDMI out so i can display movies and games on the tv if i want to.

Not a lot of people realize this and it's worth mentioning but Windows 8/RT has a wireless streaming feature built into it that works with DLNA devices like Xbox 360, Smart TV's, etc. Inside of most apps you simply go to the "Devices" charm and choose the device you want to wirelessly stream content to. The latest update to the Xbox Dashboard enables this feature now. It works with music, video, photos, youtube apps, etc.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

PRO
PRO
PRO
PRO
PRO

damn why isn't the Pro be ready already. I'd be buying it *today* if it was on the market. this sucks.

 

[brotkasten]

Surface prices:

Australia

32 GB version, without the Touch Cover 559 AU
32 GB version, with Touch Cover 679 AU
64 GB version, with Touch Cover 789 AU


Canada

32 GB version, w/o Touch Cover $519
32 GB version, w Touch Cover $619
64 GB version, w Touch Cover $719


Germany

32 GB version, w/o Touch Cover €479
32 GB version, w Touch Cover €579
64 GB version, w Touch Cover €679

France

32 GB version, w/o Touch Cover €489
32 GB version, w Touch Cover €589
64 GB version, w Touch Cover €694


UK

32 GB version, w/o Touch Cover £399
32 GB version, w Touch Cover £479
64 GB version, w Touch Cover £559


US

32 GB version, w/o Touch Cover $499
32 GB version, w Touch Cover $599
64 GB version, w Touch Cover $699

 

[JaggedSac]

Hah! I didn't notice the "without" on the cheapest one. Sorry, I'll amend my post.

(stupid Microsoft)

I believe your concern still matters for people that want the 64gb though.

Not a lot of people realize this and it's worth mentioning but Windows 8/RT has a wireless streaming feature built into it that works with DLNA devices like Xbox 360, Smart TV's, etc. In most apps you simply go to the "Devices" charm and choose the device you want to wirelessly stream content to. The latest update to the Xbox Dashboard enables this feature now. It works with music, video, photos, youtube apps, etc.

If I am using my desktop as my media server, and I use a W8 tablet to do a PlayTo to the 360, is the data going to flow through my tablet, or is it going to go straight from my desktop to the 360? Plex doesn't work too well with the 360 and I don't care for Windows Media Center on the 360 either. Or should I remote to the desktop from the tablet and do a PlayTo that way? Or is there a much better way to do this that I am not seeing?

 

[SCHUEY F1]

I hate that Canadian prices are not the same as US. Not just with Surface, but with most everything.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

I hate that Canadian prices are not the same as US. Not just with Surface, but with most everything.

really makes no sense at all.

 

[Warm Machine]

really makes no sense at all.

Probably has to do with duty or something. Our dollar is par or better so yeah, we should be paying the same amount.

 

[SCHUEY F1]

really makes no sense at all.

Maybe when our dollar was at .65 or .80, but it hasn't been like that for a long time. I blame Quebec j/k

 

[Technosteve]

Tegra 3 is not a great SOC compared to what everyone else has out now, unless the T30 is something new.

 

[Milchjon]

Surface prices:

Australia

32 GB version, without the Touch Cover 559 AU
32 GB version, with Touch Cover 679 AU
64 GB version, with Touch Cover 789 AU


Canada

32 GB version, w/o Touch Cover $519
32 GB version, w Touch Cover $619
64 GB version, w Touch Cover $719


Germany

32 GB version, w/o Touch Cover €479
32 GB version, w Touch Cover €579
64 GB version, w Touch Cover €679

France

32 GB version, w/o Touch Cover €489
32 GB version, w Touch Cover €589
64 GB version, w Touch Cover €694


UK

32 GB version, w/o Touch Cover £399
32 GB version, w Touch Cover £479
64 GB version, w Touch Cover £559


US

32 GB version, w/o Touch Cover $499
32 GB version, w Touch Cover $599
64 GB version, w Touch Cover $699

SUCK IT, FRANCE!!!

Spoiler

 

[yn-neko hates a cat]

Can this be used during a full moon?

Why would someone even make a device like this when they can get the pro version (which is tooooooo expensive)? May as well get an iPad!

When this is said and done, this M$ must be cray if they thing I'm paying $888 for a crippled iPad.

They seriously effed up with this. THey could have destroyed Google and Amazon if they released it at $200 but at this price, I hope they fail.

Srsly! Why I gotta pay all this money to be plastered with ads? I stick with all the other ad-free aps on cheaper platforms thank you.

You know you don fucked up write Ms$?

 

[The Faceless Master]

Serious, or sarcasm?

serious.

lol.

RT was never under consideration for me. i'd just get an Android tablet instead if that were the case.

 

[Krauser Kat]

are the pro prices out yet?

That commercial is slick as fuck. RT being 499 without keyboard is kinda lame, and the keyboard should be cheaper. Its is competing directly with the ipad and has a much better UI than it for touch. But has non proprietary plugs (Micro Hdmi, USB) and expandable Data.

Still want the pro, but the RT is no slacker.

 

[dwebo]

Tegra 3 is not a great SOC compared to what everyone else has out now, unless the T30 is something new.

the t30 tegra3 is actually the oldest model tegra3 (of 3), if I'm reading this chart correctly. not that there's too much difference between them, but still

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tegra#Tegra_3

 

[Colonel Nasty]

Can this be used during a full moon?

Why would someone even make a device like this when they can get the pro version (which is tooooooo expensive)? May as well get an iPad!

When this is said and done, this M$ must be cray if they thing I'm paying $888 for a crippled iPad.

They seriously effed up with this. THey could have destroyed Google and Amazon if they released it at $200 but at this price, I hope they fail.

Srsly! Why I gotta pay all this money to be plastered with ads? I stick with all the other ad-free aps on cheaper platforms thank you.

You know you don fucked up write Ms$?

WAT?

 

[Anton Sugar]

Can this be used during a full moon?

Why would someone even make a device like this when they can get the pro version (which is tooooooo expensive)? May as well get an iPad!

When this is said and done, this M$ must be cray if they thing I'm paying $888 for a crippled iPad.

They seriously effed up with this. THey could have destroyed Google and Amazon if they released it at $200 but at this price, I hope they fail.

Srsly! Why I gotta pay all this money to be plastered with ads? I stick with all the other ad-free aps on cheaper platforms thank you.

You know you don fucked up write Ms$?

On so many levels: what the hell are you talking about?

 

[dwebo]

that $200 rumor really did them no favors

 

[Penguins&PolarBears]

Steven Sinofsky's expensive skateboard.

 

[brotkasten]

WAT?

On so many levels: what the hell are you talking about?

I think it's just a summary of all the negative comments.

 

[Cheebo]

Has anyone actually ordered one?

 

[Stat Flow]

Can this be used during a full moon?

Why would someone even make a device like this when they can get the pro version (which is tooooooo expensive)? May as well get an iPad!

When this is said and done, this M$ must be cray if they thing I'm paying $888 for a crippled iPad.

They seriously effed up with this. THey could have destroyed Google and Amazon if they released it at $200 but at this price, I hope they fail.

Srsly! Why I gotta pay all this money to be plastered with ads? I stick with all the other ad-free aps on cheaper platforms thank you.

You know you don fucked up write Ms$?

This post is incredible.

 

[Hari Seldon]

Kind of think that it is $100 too much. Will wait for reviews. My iPad 1 is getting long in the tooth.