A heavy tablet.
and thick.
A heavy tablet.
I can't wait for the reviews. It's going to be a bloodbath.
The Surface Pro is not destined to critical acclaim across the media. Despite how impressive and complete of a computing product I think the Surface Pro is, it is easy to see where the key criticisms will come from in the tech reviews: The flaws will be based against what does better iPad or MacBook Air.
Each of the following points will be touched upon during reviews:
¬ 4 to 5 hour battery life (vs iPad)
¬ Lack of Windows 8 store apps (vs iPad)
¬ The screen is too small for full Windows Applications (vs MacBook Air)
¬ Office is not included for the price (vs cheap iPad price)
¬ Touch cover not included (vs MacBook Air)
¬ There is a stylus (vs iPad)
¬ The HD4000 graphics is not good enough to play the latest PC games smoothly (vs iPad games)
¬ Too thick and heavy (vs iPad)
¬ Desktop is still windows (vs MacBook Air)
Of those points, I think the real hurdle for buyers will be the battery life, perhaps the weight/thickness. Which is the main reason why I am waiting for a second gen and got an RT version to tide me over.
Used my time machine:
What are the expectations for the Surface Pro in terms of marketplace acceptance?
I could use it finding a niche audience in business settings, but can't see it making much headway with the average consumer.
What are the expectations for the Surface Pro in terms of marketplace acceptance?
I could use it finding a niche audience in business settings, but can't see it making much headway with the average consumer.
Not sure - I see the potential buyers as:
- "pro" consumers
- Average consumers on advice by "pro" consumers
- Potentially Small Businesses, but only if there is a real need
- Enterprise Employees on BYOD schemes
Enterprise are unlikely to rethink their current IT agreements to go with Microsoft (who have no hardware enterprise agreements and support plans). However I think that some will buy on an ad-hoc basis for pilot programs on Windows 8 Tablets in general.
"For $100 more, you can get a laptop with the same battery life, a lower-resolution screen, that's heavier, thicker, doesn't have any touch, doesn't have a detachable keyboard to work in a tablet form factor for comfortable media consumption, and it's slower too. What a steal!"
Not sure - I see the potential buyers as:
- "pro" consumers
- Average consumers on advice by "pro" consumers
- Potentially Small Businesses, but only if there is a real need
- Enterprise Employees on BYOD schemes
Enterprise are unlikely to rethink their current IT agreements to go with Microsoft (who have no hardware enterprise agreements and support plans). However I think that some will buy on an ad-hoc basis for pilot programs on Windows 8 Tablets in general.
When you put it like that, it sounds pretty enticing. But then you read that the Surface Pro doesn't include the $129 type keyboard and its display is 1" smaller, which explains why the online specs make it look lighter and thinner. I have no idea how it's slower."For $100 more, you can get a laptop with the same battery life, a lower-resolution screen, that's heavier, thicker, doesn't have any touch, doesn't have a detachable keyboard to work in a tablet form factor for comfortable media consumption, and it's slower too. What a steal!"
When you put it like that, it sounds pretty enticing. But then you read that the Surface Pro doesn't include the $129 type keyboard and its display is 1" smaller, which explains why the online specs make it look lighter and thinner. I have no idea how it's slower.
Or, someone who wants a laptop with a large trackpad and an adjustable display that runs both OS X and Windows.True, so for around the same price you can either get a SurfacePro+TypeKB at 0.77 inch thin, 2.55lbs, 10.6 inch screen at 1080p with a digitizer and pen (or a 0.53 inch thin, 2 lbs tablet by taking the type kb off) or a 0.68 inch thin, 2.38 lbs, 11.6 inch screen at 1366 by 768. Internals are pretty identical for the base versions. So its either someone who wants a tablet/laptop with a digitizer and windows, or someone who wants a laptop with OSX.
True, so for around the same price you can either get a SurfacePro+TypeKB at 0.77 inch thin, 2.55lbs, 10.6 inch screen at 1080p with a digitizer and pen (or a 0.53 inch thin, 2 lbs tablet by taking the type kb off) or a 0.68 inch thin, 2.38 lbs, 11.6 inch screen at 1366 by 768. Internals are pretty identical for the base versions. So its either someone who wants a tablet/laptop with a digitizer and windows, or someone who wants a laptop with OSX.
I haven't used a pro, but my rt works great in my lap. Soft touch keyboard and apple Bluetooth keyboard.The Surface Pro still loses as an Ultrabook against the MacBook Air, because apparently you can't use it properly in your lap. It's a real shame that Acer screwed up the S7 so badly with the terrible battery (4 hours is a joke). It looked nice.
Or, someone who wants a laptop with a large trackpad and an adjustable display that runs both OS X and Windows.
Personally, I found the 11.6" Air too small, so I couldn't even use a 10.6" as a daily driver. 13" is my minimum.
The Surface Pro still loses as an Ultrabook against the MacBook Air, because apparently you can't use it properly in your lap. It's a real shame that Acer screwed up the S7 so badly with the terrible battery (4 hours is a joke). It looked nice.
Yes, I can't speak for the type cover, but with the touch cover, typing in the lap is not the best of things. Certainly doable, but not ideal. Type cover might make it a little better as things wouldn't be rocking around so much. The stand isn't too much of an issue in the lap unless it isn't the right angle for you.
I haven't used a pro, but my rt works great in my lap. Soft touch keyboard and apple Bluetooth keyboard.
I don't have one, but the user experience seems to be mixed. Some say it works, others aren't happy due to the fixed viewing angles or how you can't use it, when you're laying down on your couch or in bed like this:
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that pic is exactly how I use it but the outer edge of keyboard would be where her left hand is. And the keyboard gets less use than a laptop because of screen inputI don't have one, but the user experience seems to be mixed. Some say it works, others aren't happy due to the fixed viewing angles or how you can't use it, when you're laying down on your couch or in bed like this:
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I don't have one, but the user experience seems to be mixed. Some say it works, others aren't happy due to the fixed viewing angles or how you can't use it, when you're laying down on your couch or in bed like this:
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Yes, I can't speak for the type cover, but with the touch cover, typing in the lap is not the best of things. Certainly doable, but not ideal. Type cover might make it a little better as things wouldn't be rocking around so much. The stand isn't too much of an issue in the lap unless it isn't the right angle for you.
What is with al the hate? I'm still excited for the pro, I feel it will be a great device. Been using the Sony Vaio Duo 11 which is very similar if not the same specs as the Surface Pro. Game wise I've found it good etc. Was going to replace the duo with the pro and give the duo to my mum.
What is with al the hate? I'm still excited for the pro, I feel it will be a great device. Been using the Sony Vaio Duo 11 which is very similar if not the same specs as the Surface Pro. Game wise I've found it good etc. Was going to replace the duo with the pro and give the duo to my mum.
What processor do you have in the Duo 11? Also how much RAM?
It'd be my next choice after surface, it's just so expensive in the UK.
there are i3, i5 and i7 versions of the duo 11. ram can vary based on location where you buy it. i think some i3 versions have 2GB ram, most have 4GB with the option to opt in for another 4.
I was asking which he has specifically, cheers though.
in Australia the i3 model doesn't exist. The base model is the i5 with 4GB of ram and the "pro" version with an i7 and the 8GB. I have the i5 model. I'm enjoying my use of the device. My only issues with it are the keyboard, it just feels a bit cheaply designed.I was asking which he has specifically, cheers though.
Not sure - I see the potential buyers as:
- "pro" consumers
- Average consumers on advice by "pro" consumers
- Potentially Small Businesses, but only if there is a real need
- Enterprise Employees on BYOD schemes
Enterprise are unlikely to rethink their current IT agreements to go with Microsoft (who have no hardware enterprise agreements and support plans). However I think that some will buy on an ad-hoc basis for pilot programs on Windows 8 Tablets in general.
I'm getting one through work. I work in the IT dept and we cover a few different sites. The idea is that I can have it setup like a 'real' PC on my primary station here, but easily take it to any other location and have the laptop / tablet flexibility.
pretty much the majority of the stuff I own on steam. I don't think many games could go up to maximum settings, but medium or default works great and good enough to enjoy the games.What games have you tried on it?
I don't have one, but the user experience seems to be mixed. Some say it works, others aren't happy due to the fixed viewing angles or how you can't use it, when you're laying down on your couch or in bed like this:
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LOL...20+ years of using laptops....never used one in that position. Does not look productive or comfortable.
Apparently only mac users can do that position. That's why they're so expensive.
pretty much the majority of the stuff I own on steam. I don't think many games could go up to maximum settings, but medium or default works great and good enough to enjoy the games.
So when I order my surface pro, do you think this will be a good way of handling things?
Touch Cover for the coolness and portability( is it good enough for basic portable writing, like writing notes at university or something)
A seperate full sized bluetooth keyboard and mouse for at home usage on a bigger screen?
Or is the type cover extremely better than the touch cover?
The type cover is every bit as good as any laptop keyboard I've used, and it's imperceptibly bigger when closed.
I have both, and there is literally 0 value in using the touch cover, at any time whatsoever. Getting a bluetooth keyboard would be a total waste.
Curious, too thick for what exactly? Your cover? Briefcase sleeve?
the thing the type cover probably sucks at is at flipping it over backwards for tablet usage, right? I think this is cool with the touch cover.
If you're in a position where the keyboard is "too thick" to be comfortable....just detach it?
I know the specs say the type cover is almost "twice as thick" as the touch cover, but I can't tell at all. It's so negligible that it renders the touch cover completely pointless. And it's almost the exact same weight.
With a type cover, you have a laptop-quality keyboard ready to go at any point, whenever you want, and it also acts as a thin protective cover for the screen. With a touch cover you have a crappy keyboard that can only be used somewhere decently on hard flat surfaces with a need to carry something else around with you at all times whenever you want to type anything of decent length.