If that happens Microsoft is straight fucked and the Surface is doomed. It would mean that enterprise users did not adopt the product at all.
Microsoft Surface Tablet announced
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If that happens Microsoft is straight fucked and the Surface is doomed. It would mean that enterprise users did not adopt the product at all.
One thing that is really making me lean to the pro (that nobody is really talking about) is the upgrade path to future versions of windows.... since the pro model is x86 we will be able to easily install and upgrade to windows 9/10. With winRT they have not detailed any kind of upgrade path or if it will even be offered (notice there is no cp/rp for the arm version).
That goes into the future value more than anything.... I really expect these tablets to hold their value much more than standard pc's do so being able to say its capable of running future windows will be a big deal in that respect.
Also unlike android win8 is being designed with battery life as one of the core mantras to watch.... I would not be surprised at all if they actually exceed android battery life figures.
One thing they didn't say is if it will move when its not on a table.... sure being designed for that 22 degree mode is great but if you are holding it will the camera be pointed too low or does it have some way to move?
planar1280
Banned
Why not converge them, have both in a 128 gb device
Os x would never run when a keyboard accessory is not attached and os x would run as an option if keyboard accessory is attached
Mac os x already emulates ipad
LukasTaves
Member
Because this seems to be the first that doesn't compromise much as far dimensions and weight go to offer the hybrid approach.
I mean, look at the asus transformer book:
Gary Whitta
Member
The main reason the Surface looks so compelling is because MS is finally learning from Apple that the holistic approach, where hardware and software are considered together, is the only true way to get a product that really sings. This is where Android struggles and why there's been no breakthrough Android tablet yet. When you control all aspects of hardware and software under one roof you can pay attention to all the great little details in ways that you never can when you're just licensing stuff out to whoever.
Because this seems to be the first that doesn't compromise much as far dimensions and weight go to offer the hybrid approach.
I mean, look at the asus transformer book:
Have we seen actual detailed images of the pro surface? I figure it's quite a lot thicker and bulkier than the RT version.
Harry_Tequila
Member
I was interested up to the point when I realised you can't run visual studio on the RT version. I think it would have been annoying to use on my lap as well. :-/
100% agree. Especially if you are trying to make a "no compromises" (shoot me) product. You need to build the entire thing, soup to nuts, as a single product.
If anyone was curious what music track was used for the Surface ad, here it is:
http://keithriversfilms.bandcamp.com/track/srfc-in-c-minor
SRFC in c minor
http://keithriversfilms.bandcamp.com/track/srfc-in-c-minor
SRFC in c minor
I don't think this is true, I think on the most basic level they just want a tablet because it looks like it's fun and easy to use. I doubt the average iPad buyer buys a tablet because they're actively trying to "get away" from the desktop. iPads are very cool devices, they do what they do well, and you can rely on them to at least be viable for a few years, until you decide to upgrade.
It may not outsell the iPad outright on release, it'll probably be a bit buggy for a few months, but it seems at that we finally have a viable, permanent, and possibly superior alternative to the iPad, as opposed to the dozen halfway-decent Android tablets that come out and after 6 months are so far behind on their updates that the next version looks like a brand new product.
Anton Sugar
Member
Unless they're lying...it will be noticeably larger, but I wouldn't call it thick/bulky:
They showed it and the specs are out there. RT is same width as Ipad, the Pro is 4 mm thicker.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57455710-92/microsoft-surface-tablet-ipad-spec-check/
Edit: Beaten
Because this seems to be the first that doesn't compromise much as far dimensions and weight go to offer the hybrid approach.
I mean, look at the asus transformer book:
It also has double the battery life, and you can use it on surfaces that aren't perfectly flat.
The pro is 13.5mm thick and the RT one is 9.3mm. This coming straight from microsofts techseet.pdf http://www.microsoft.com/global/surface/en/us/renderingassets/surfacespecsheet.pdf
I don't think its so much of controlling the whole process more than it is just paying attention to those little details and creating hardware where cost isn't the primary concern.... that's what apple has always done better than pc oem's.
You don't compromise weight, but you do compromise other things like adjusting the angle of display and extra battery life.
yeah the intel based one will be about as thin as a ultrabook (well thinner probably)
That's still really thin, impressive.
Add the keyboard cover and it's almost exactly as thin as a Macbook Air.
Maybe not 90% - 10% but I can see it at 75% - 25% at best.
No way people just looking to buy an Ipad are going to pay ultrabook prices for something different. Not a chance!!
You give those people another option for at least £100 cheaper and then you could see them pick up the RT version instead.
As of right now, there is no need to. Cook has stated that he thinks it an inferior solution.
That said, if this is a colossal hit, it would be easy enough for Apple to pivot. There's been a rumored ARM version of OS X for years.
LyleLanley
Banned
Isn't that expected from a tablet?
planar1280
Banned
Unless they're lying...it will be noticeably larger, but I wouldn't call it thick/bulky:
Yep its 5 mm thinner than the new macbook pro retina version
how well does OSX run on low powered machines anyway?
Isn't it a big point of this device that it's running full Windows 8? I just can't imagine a scenario where people aren't flooding a marketplace seen by every Windows 8 owner with apps.
NFC is a requirement i think or maybe its just they require a touch mark or something. Anyway, i don't know if it has NFC.
D
Deleted member 17706
Unconfirmed Member
I totally agree. The Pro is the only appealing thing here simply because it is a touch-screen tablet/keyboard + multitouch mouse laptop in one device with a no-compromise full version of Windows. RT is bullshit because it won't have the application support.
It's incredible on my MBA with i5, SSD and integrated graphics.
Fastest computer I ever used for day-to-day tasks.
i5 isn't exactly low powered.
But, the second iteration will probably be a compelling option because people will (presumably) be building Metro programs (which work in RT, right?) once 8 launches.
I'm kind of stunned by how well thought out this entire approach to the tablet/mobile market is. I hope their phones see a boost as a result.
yes the WinRT runtime (Metro UI) is designed to run on both x86/64 and ARM machines. Supposedly its fairly easy to target each platform so Windows RT will not have a problem filling out the store. And yeah the Phone OS is probably going to get the same runtime, they will show it off tomorrow at a conference in SF btw.
LukasTaves
Member
Sure, those are pros, but come at the price of making a not so good tablet due the increased size and weight.
The surface seems to be the first one which can actually be used as both a tablet and a laptop, without the extra hefty of carrying an enormous dock to transform it to a laptop. Even then ot does look incredibly sexy for me, though, but i think it won't appeal to the public very much...
As for the stand, of course i will have to test to be sure, but it seems to hold the surface steadier than ipad's smart cover holds it, and i can use my ipad fine on my lap with it, i thin this could actually work better as a stand than a smart cover...
It's the lowest level of hardware OSX ships on currently, and it handles it like a champ. Isn't that what you are asking?
So with that you could say OSX would run just fine on a Surface Pro equivalent machine.
So awesome. This is going to force real innovation in the space and I for one am thrilled.
i guess. i was thinking more Atom type stuff, but i guess apple does not go that low with intel stuff.
Weren't they talking about the Pro device and other ultrabook-class devices?
I don't see the RT version having the traditional desktop on it after they make a real Metro style Office app.
The membrane keyboard is 3mm and the click one is 5.5mm.
I know this is the RT version but at 13.3 MM will the Pro version now be the worlds thinnest laptop?
Gary Whitta
Member
The first Surface Pro Hackintosh is something that would be relevant to my interests. You know it won't take long.
They should call themselves Microhard at this point.
LukasTaves
Member
That's a good point. Will the support have only one angle when opened? This could be solved if it had three or so working angles...
brotkasten
Member
Maybe they'll remove it, once they finished Metro with Windows 9.
Gary Whitta
Member
In our lifetime we'll have machines far more powerful than this, that are no thicker than the KICKSTAND.
I know this is the RT version but at 13.3 MM will the Pro version now be the worlds thinnest laptop?
That notch where the device and stand meet leads me to believe it will be adjustable (slide up and down using that notch as a pressure point)
in the future everyone will just use their phones as their desktop PCs. going to be awesome. (you would dock etc.. your phone to a monitor)
I think you are right on the mark with those prices. They are realistic and they are likely to be spot on.
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