Microsoft Announces "Surface" Tablet (2 Viewers)

[Rayderr]

I like the Apple fanboys saying Microsoft is late to the tablet game, even though Microsoft practically invented the tablet back in 2001, nearly a full decade before the iPad.

true but it was terrible execution. I bet Apple averages more ipad sales in any given day than ms tabs sold total.

Different situations. Technology has evolved greatly since then. Back then people were very much afraid of change and weren't as eager to try something radically different. Apple has a devout cult following that will buy anything it puts out, thus introducing the rest of the market to the new technology.

 

[Slapdash]

Digesting this thing I wonder about battery life to power all that hardware. The biggest knock of Apple mobile products is their hardware and port support without adapters, but this greatly extends battery life. This seems to attack that head on, but (HDMI?) a few are missing. I do think this thing has a bigger market than the Ipad. The olds out there want a keyboard and the ipad+keyboard implementation has been really half-assed so far. If this thing is dockable to a replicator of sorts then I think it's a real winner and really a tablet that can get things done, not just a toy that people set aside after a few months of light usage.

IIRC, the batteries in the iPad are a very large part of the physical interior and overall cost. I would imagine this is something MSFT is going to have to follow suit with.

 

[mattdaddy]

I think it's interesting that they are going with the "Surface" name. They have been working on a table top design that they have been calling Surface for years.

I would think it's reasonable to assume that they plan to incorporate the concepts of that table top design into Windows 8 for the surface or just in general. I think it would be cool to put devices down next to your PC or tablet and have them show up on the UI so that you can interact with them and share data between them. If this is where they are going it should be successful if they can make it reliable and intuitive.

I've also heard rumors that they have plans to have running content switch between devices. I.e. Play a game on XBox and then pause and transfer it over to your tablet and pick the game back up. Sounds pretty cool to me.

 

[culdeus]

Digesting this thing I wonder about battery life to power all that hardware. The biggest knock of Apple mobile products is their hardware and port support without adapters, but this greatly extends battery life. This seems to attack that head on, but (HDMI?) a few are missing. I do think this thing has a bigger market than the Ipad. The olds out there want a keyboard and the ipad+keyboard implementation has been really half-assed so far. If this thing is dockable to a replicator of sorts then I think it's a real winner and really a tablet that can get things done, not just a toy that people set aside after a few months of light usage.

IIRC, the batteries in the iPad are a very large part of the physical interior and overall cost. I would imagine this is something MSFT is going to have to follow suit with.

Cost of the cells are not that much. They do take up a major portion of the interior, however.

 

[HellToupee]

I like the Apple fanboys saying Microsoft is late to the tablet game, even though Microsoft practically invented the tablet back in 2001, nearly a full decade before the iPad.

true but it was terrible execution. I bet Apple averages more ipad sales in any given day than ms tabs sold total.

Ill take that bet

at about 2 grand a pop for each windows tab I'd say you lose

 

[Rooster]

Disclaimer: 1) I make my living using Microsoft Server technologies & ASP.net 2) I prefer using a mac desktop, when I can. I run on a Macbook Pro at work, and a combo of Macbook Air & iMac at home. 3) I own an iPad, several iPhones and an iPod touch in my household, so we're heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem 4) I didn't watch any video of the presentationAll that said, if this tablet runs a full OS when the keyboard is present and does a good job with a tablet-style UI when it's not, it's kind of a big deal and it makes a lot of sense with what's happening on the Windows 8 front. It's sort of suspect that they'd be able to put enough power into something as thin and light as a tablet would need to be, but I think that's where they're *trying* to go. Using my iPad to take notes, I don't use the on-screen keyboard very well, so I bought a bluetooth keyboard to take notes, which is awesome. You mostly forget the real full OS stuff you're missing like windows and multitasking, but the instant you need to select some text or move the cursor and you reach for your mouse there's this moment of confusion where you transfer from this "interacting with a computer" to "interacting with a tablet" mode. I think Microsoft may be taking aim at both the ultrabooks and the tablet market with this device, I hope they're successful because if when I had a bluetooth keyboard and mouse hooked up, my iPad operated mostly as a macbook air running full OSX, it'd be awesome and, quite frankly, Apple needs a little competition and it's something we all benefit from.

I can already run a full windows session on my iPad with VMware View. Word, excel? Covered. I want to run that same exact instance from my desktop, droid, kindle fire? No problem, covered too. To me, that model is far superior and is definitely the way of the future. You really only need a full OS on a machine/tablet for your high end power users.

So can I, but you need a decently strong internet connection (i.e. not from a sailing boat), and you still cannot edit documents (w/o a keyboard and realistically a mouse - ever try highlighting text from your VMware View)? It's not nearly the same as being able to do anything you need w/o plugging into the cloud and still having difficulty copying/pasting editing.

Network connectivity is definitely a downside, for me it's VERY rare that poses any problems though and things are going to just continue getting better on that front. Personally not heavy on the editing side of things, and that's something that falls more to the higher end users who I really dont think things like View and tablets are geared towards. People that have these needs should just get a laptop IMO, I really don't get the constant motivation to turn these devices into something that was already on the market. These appear to be the concerns MS was listening to. It'll be interesting to see if this causes them to gain traction in the "it's a toy, I want a mouse and keyboard" market. Not sure those people are really hyped to get this though. My prediction is that it'll suck more at being a laptop than an actual laptop, and will suck more at being a tablet than an actual tablet.

That could be the distinction, the iPad I find is very good at consuming things made elsewhere, but not really ideal for creating things. If you're writing a term paper on your iPad, it's probably going to get pretty frustrating because there's a lot of editing involved in getting to the final product and a lot of that editing is klunky on tablets. This is by no means a shot at Apple, I think the iPad is amazing and I'd buy it again but there's definitely a void in between the tablet and a full on laptop for things like editing documents and spreadsheets that aren't necessarily processor intensive, but still things a lot of normal people do (school kids, people in business, etc.). There are power users like me and they definitely shouldn't worry about me running a VM on my iPad or compiling things, but I think if someone can get the tablet form factor combined with a more computer-like experience in editing office documents, I think you have a machine that really could replace a laptop/computer for the majority of users. Right now, I don't think that can be said of the iPad. I bought my mom an iPad, she still needs her computer to work on word docs and spreadsheets for work and my sister still needs a computer in the house so she can write her term papers, everything else they do outside of creating office documents can be done amazingly on the iPad. Give them a way to turn the iPad into a low-powered machine that handles a keyboard/mouse and the office suite, you just saved them each from buying a computer ... you've created value the iPad can't meet right now; if you want to topple Apple, that's how you're going to have to do it but you better hurry before they do it if you want to catch market share (frankly, having this event to detail a strategic move like this before you can ship is a bad idea, you just gave Apple a head start in responding). People like my mom and sister aren't going to set up a machine they can remote into, because, well, that still requires buying a machine and a level of technical fiddling they don't care to do. I'm not exactly confident MS can pull it off (because as has been beaten to death, they don't exactly have a corporate culture of innovation), but I'm rooting for them because even if they don't accomplish it, it will provoke a conversation and there's a good chance Apple will respond.

 

[Who Dat Ninja]

I like the Apple fanboys saying Microsoft is late to the tablet game, even though Microsoft practically invented the tablet back in 2001, nearly a full decade before the iPad.

true but it was terrible execution. I bet Apple averages more ipad sales in any given day than ms tabs sold total.

Ill take that bet

at about 2 grand a pop for each windows tab I'd say you lose

Apple sold somewhere around 40 million ipads last year so MS would have to sell about 114,000 TOTAL Surface tablets. I dont think thats a problem.

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

Disclaimer: 1) I make my living using Microsoft Server technologies & ASP.net 2) I prefer using a mac desktop, when I can. I run on a Macbook Pro at work, and a combo of Macbook Air & iMac at home. 3) I own an iPad, several iPhones and an iPod touch in my household, so we're heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem 4) I didn't watch any video of the presentationAll that said, if this tablet runs a full OS when the keyboard is present and does a good job with a tablet-style UI when it's not, it's kind of a big deal and it makes a lot of sense with what's happening on the Windows 8 front. It's sort of suspect that they'd be able to put enough power into something as thin and light as a tablet would need to be, but I think that's where they're *trying* to go. Using my iPad to take notes, I don't use the on-screen keyboard very well, so I bought a bluetooth keyboard to take notes, which is awesome. You mostly forget the real full OS stuff you're missing like windows and multitasking, but the instant you need to select some text or move the cursor and you reach for your mouse there's this moment of confusion where you transfer from this "interacting with a computer" to "interacting with a tablet" mode. I think Microsoft may be taking aim at both the ultrabooks and the tablet market with this device, I hope they're successful because if when I had a bluetooth keyboard and mouse hooked up, my iPad operated mostly as a macbook air running full OSX, it'd be awesome and, quite frankly, Apple needs a little competition and it's something we all benefit from.

I can already run a full windows session on my iPad with VMware View. Word, excel? Covered. I want to run that same exact instance from my desktop, droid, kindle fire? No problem, covered too. To me, that model is far superior and is definitely the way of the future. You really only need a full OS on a machine/tablet for your high end power users.

So can I, but you need a decently strong internet connection (i.e. not from a sailing boat), and you still cannot edit documents (w/o a keyboard and realistically a mouse - ever try highlighting text from your VMware View)? It's not nearly the same as being able to do anything you need w/o plugging into the cloud and still having difficulty copying/pasting editing.

Network connectivity is definitely a downside, for me it's VERY rare that poses any problems though and things are going to just continue getting better on that front. Personally not heavy on the editing side of things, and that's something that falls more to the higher end users who I really dont think things like View and tablets are geared towards. People that have these needs should just get a laptop IMO, I really don't get the constant motivation to turn these devices into something that was already on the market. These appear to be the concerns MS was listening to. It'll be interesting to see if this causes them to gain traction in the "it's a toy, I want a mouse and keyboard" market. Not sure those people are really hyped to get this though. My prediction is that it'll suck more at being a laptop than an actual laptop, and will suck more at being a tablet than an actual tablet.

As much as people bash using a pen, I find it necessary even when using a windows app through an iPad via VMware View / GoToMyPC. I still could not do many things in Excel easily this way like select multiple rows/columns, right click (not possible?) to change the format of the cells, and insert a chart.

 

[HellToupee]

I like the Apple fanboys saying Microsoft is late to the tablet game, even though Microsoft practically invented the tablet back in 2001, nearly a full decade before the iPad.

true but it was terrible execution. I bet Apple averages more ipad sales in any given day than ms tabs sold total.

Ill take that bet

at about 2 grand a pop for each windows tab I'd say you lose

Apple sold somewhere around 40 million ipads last year so MS would have to sell about 114,000 TOTAL Surface tablets. I dont think thats a problem.

not talking surface. Talking old school pre ipad tabletsI hope this tablet is huge success

 

[[icon]]

Subject header changed

 

[DrJ]

Disclaimer: 1) I make my living using Microsoft Server technologies & ASP.net 2) I prefer using a mac desktop, when I can. I run on a Macbook Pro at work, and a combo of Macbook Air & iMac at home. 3) I own an iPad, several iPhones and an iPod touch in my household, so we're heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem 4) I didn't watch any video of the presentationAll that said, if this tablet runs a full OS when the keyboard is present and does a good job with a tablet-style UI when it's not, it's kind of a big deal and it makes a lot of sense with what's happening on the Windows 8 front. It's sort of suspect that they'd be able to put enough power into something as thin and light as a tablet would need to be, but I think that's where they're *trying* to go. Using my iPad to take notes, I don't use the on-screen keyboard very well, so I bought a bluetooth keyboard to take notes, which is awesome. You mostly forget the real full OS stuff you're missing like windows and multitasking, but the instant you need to select some text or move the cursor and you reach for your mouse there's this moment of confusion where you transfer from this "interacting with a computer" to "interacting with a tablet" mode. I think Microsoft may be taking aim at both the ultrabooks and the tablet market with this device, I hope they're successful because if when I had a bluetooth keyboard and mouse hooked up, my iPad operated mostly as a macbook air running full OSX, it'd be awesome and, quite frankly, Apple needs a little competition and it's something we all benefit from.

I can already run a full windows session on my iPad with VMware View. Word, excel? Covered. I want to run that same exact instance from my desktop, droid, kindle fire? No problem, covered too. To me, that model is far superior and is definitely the way of the future. You really only need a full OS on a machine/tablet for your high end power users.

So can I, but you need a decently strong internet connection (i.e. not from a sailing boat), and you still cannot edit documents (w/o a keyboard and realistically a mouse - ever try highlighting text from your VMware View)? It's not nearly the same as being able to do anything you need w/o plugging into the cloud and still having difficulty copying/pasting editing.

Network connectivity is definitely a downside, for me it's VERY rare that poses any problems though and things are going to just continue getting better on that front. Personally not heavy on the editing side of things, and that's something that falls more to the higher end users who I really dont think things like View and tablets are geared towards. People that have these needs should just get a laptop IMO, I really don't get the constant motivation to turn these devices into something that was already on the market. These appear to be the concerns MS was listening to. It'll be interesting to see if this causes them to gain traction in the "it's a toy, I want a mouse and keyboard" market. Not sure those people are really hyped to get this though. My prediction is that it'll suck more at being a laptop than an actual laptop, and will suck more at being a tablet than an actual tablet.

That could be the distinction, the iPad I find is very good at consuming things made elsewhere, but not really ideal for creating things. If you're writing a term paper on your iPad, it's probably going to get pretty frustrating because there's a lot of editing involved in getting to the final product and a lot of that editing is klunky on tablets. This is by no means a shot at Apple, I think the iPad is amazing and I'd buy it again but there's definitely a void in between the tablet and a full on laptop for things like editing documents and spreadsheets that aren't necessarily processor intensive, but still things a lot of normal people do (school kids, people in business, etc.). There are power users like me and they definitely shouldn't worry about me running a VM on my iPad or compiling things, but I think if someone can get the tablet form factor combined with a more computer-like experience in editing office documents, I think you have a machine that really could replace a laptop/computer for the majority of users. Right now, I don't think that can be said of the iPad. I bought my mom an iPad, she still needs her computer to work on word docs and spreadsheets for work and my sister still needs a computer in the house so she can write her term papers, everything else they do outside of creating office documents can be done amazingly on the iPad. Give them a way to turn the iPad into a low-powered machine that handles a keyboard/mouse and the office suite, you just saved them each from buying a computer ... you've created value the iPad can't meet right now; if you want to topple Apple, that's how you're going to have to do it but you better hurry before they do it if you want to catch market share (frankly, having this event to detail a strategic move like this before you can ship is a bad idea, you just gave Apple a head start in responding). People like my mom and sister aren't going to set up a machine they can remote into, because, well, that still requires buying a machine and a level of technical fiddling they don't care to do. I'm not exactly confident MS can pull it off (because as has been beaten to death, they don't exactly have a corporate culture of innovation), but I'm rooting for them because even if they don't accomplish it, it will provoke a conversation and there's a good chance Apple will respond.

Yeah, it'll definitely be interesting to watch. For me, I'm pretty happy with my tablet not being an editing device and didn't really expect it to replace my laptop/PC. Absolutely love it as a portable video player, that gives me easy access to my tech library for reference and other documents that I might need, can browse the web, play some games and Netflix to entertain the kids, etc. And can also do some light PC work if absolutely necessary. Anything else, I'm more than happy to fire up the laptop and I have trouble seeing something like this functioning well enough for that purpose that it could replace an actual PC/laptop for me. I'm probably not going to put together a Visio diagram on this thing. Maybe I'm wrong and it'll be better at that stuff than I imagine.

 

[DrJ]

A couple other interesting notes - screen size on this is 10.6 inches? So it isn't going to really go after people looking for a smaller iPad. At the same time, I have trouble with that screen size as a laptop. Is there actually market for laptops with 10.6" screens? If it does have docking capabilities that could definitely help on making it more multipurpose and laptop like, but on the portability front it seems like a strange device. We're bulkier and more annoying to tote than a tablet, yet miniature and not as productive or worthwhile as a laptop? I dunno...

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

A couple other interesting notes - screen size on this is 10.6 inches? So it isn't going to really go after people looking for a smaller iPad. At the same time, I have trouble with that screen size as a laptop. Is there actually market for laptops with 10.6" screens? If it does have docking capabilities that could definitely help on making it more multipurpose and laptop like, but on the portability front it seems like a strange device. We're bulkier and more annoying to tote than a tablet, yet miniature and not as productive or worthwhile as a laptop? I dunno...

There's already pretty much an ultralight market in that size:http://www.dynamism.com/c/top-notebooks/top-ultralight-notebookshttp://www.dynamism.com/top-notebooks/viliv-s10-blade.shtml

 

[One]

Does it Squirt?

 

[goonsquad]

Does it Squirt?

 

[DrJ]

A couple other interesting notes - screen size on this is 10.6 inches? So it isn't going to really go after people looking for a smaller iPad. At the same time, I have trouble with that screen size as a laptop. Is there actually market for laptops with 10.6" screens? If it does have docking capabilities that could definitely help on making it more multipurpose and laptop like, but on the portability front it seems like a strange device. We're bulkier and more annoying to tote than a tablet, yet miniature and not as productive or worthwhile as a laptop? I dunno...

There's already pretty much an ultralight market in that size:http://www.dynamism.com/c/top-notebooks/top-ultralight-notebooks

Yeah, it looks like the market share is pretty tiny though and the 14-15" laptops are still the most popular by far. At least as of 2011: http://blog.laptopmag.com/can-intels-ultrabooks-sway-a-large-laptop-loving-markethttp://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-08-19/tech/30041470_1_notebook-category-galaxy-tab-macbook-airI just don't see these things as replacements for PC's with large screen sizes. They're more in between devices that may be enough for your very light users whose workloads steer towards display functionality, but aren't going to be a replacement for people looking to do any heavy lifting.

 

[17seconds]

I think it's interesting that they are going with the "Surface" name. They have been working on a table top design that they have been calling Surface for years.

 

[Clifford]

So basically they came out with the iPad 3-4 years later and that's their big announcement?

Ok, Microsoft, lemme do this for you:

1. Put all R&D into holographic images that can interact with touch and voice (you already have a good head start with Kinnect)

2. Start really pushing ARD or Intel or whoever you are working with to be able to thread processes and significantly boost processing power.

3. Create a personal computer that is the size of a hotel chocolate left on your pillow.

4. When activated the device will cast a virtual screen in front of the user, and when prompted a virtual keyboard on a flat surface in front of the device.

5. Redefine computing again.

6. Profit.

 

[cstu]

I like the Apple fanboys saying Microsoft is late to the tablet game, even though Microsoft practically invented the tablet back in 2001, nearly a full decade before the iPad.

true but it was terrible execution. I bet Apple averages more ipad sales in any given day than ms tabs sold total.

Different situations. Technology has evolved greatly since then. Back then people were very much afraid of change and weren't as eager to try something radically different. Apple has a devout cult following that will buy anything it puts out, thus introducing the rest of the market to the new technology.

What always held back MS tablets before was battery life since x86 programs aren't efficient. It wasn't until Sandy Bridge that Intel made chips powerful enough to run Windows programs and still have laptops last for 5+ hours. With Ivy Bridge in the Surface Pro it should have battery life comparable to the iPad.

 

[cstu]

Yeah, it'll definitely be interesting to watch. For me, I'm pretty happy with my tablet not being an editing device and didn't really expect it to replace my laptop/PC. Absolutely love it as a portable video player, that gives me easy access to my tech library for reference and other documents that I might need, can browse the web, play some games and Netflix to entertain the kids, etc. And can also do some light PC work if absolutely necessary. Anything else, I'm more than happy to fire up the laptop and I have trouble seeing something like this functioning well enough for that purpose that it could replace an actual PC/laptop for me. I'm probably not going to put together a Visio diagram on this thing. Maybe I'm wrong and it'll be better at that stuff than I imagine.

Obviously not many people are going to want to do serious work on a 10" screen, but many people have liked their 11" laptops and this should make a big dent in that market. I think it would be great for college students and should be an easy sell to parents who don't want to buy their kids a tablet and a laptop.

 

[cstu]

A couple other interesting notes - screen size on this is 10.6 inches? So it isn't going to really go after people looking for a smaller iPad. At the same time, I have trouble with that screen size as a laptop. Is there actually market for laptops with 10.6" screens? If it does have docking capabilities that could definitely help on making it more multipurpose and laptop like, but on the portability front it seems like a strange device. We're bulkier and more annoying to tote than a tablet, yet miniature and not as productive or worthwhile as a laptop? I dunno...

There's already pretty much an ultralight market in that size:http://www.dynamism.com/c/top-notebooks/top-ultralight-notebooks

Yeah, it looks like the market share is pretty tiny though and the 14-15" laptops are still the most popular by far. At least as of 2011: http://blog.laptopmag.com/can-intels-ultrabooks-sway-a-large-laptop-loving-markethttp://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-08-19/tech/30041470_1_notebook-category-galaxy-tab-macbook-airI just don't see these things as replacements for PC's with large screen sizes. They're more in between devices that may be enough for your very light users whose workloads steer towards display functionality, but aren't going to be a replacement for people looking to do any heavy lifting.

Asus is producing bigger docking tablets, although they aren't as slick as the Surface's keyboard. I expect MS to release a 13" version of the Surface if the initial release goes well.

 

[cstu]

So basically they came out with the iPad 3-4 years later and that's their big announcement?

I didn't know the iPad had a cover that functions as a keyboard or a USB port.

 

[EYLive]

Do we have any psychologists/iatrists in the FFA? If so please do a study on the Apple Fanboyism that is becoming quite rampant within and report your findings.

This has already been done. Brain studies have shown it to have the same effect as radical religion.

I have observed that apple loyalists are more comparable to doushbag atheists.They're just gadgets, fools. Gadgets you didn't build, so attacking all apple's competitors makes no sense. I don't understand the insecurity at all. It's that type of attitude that makes me never want to own an apple product lest I be grouped with those idiots.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Game changer?

 

[cstu]

CNET poll on the Surface - 77% of people are either sold or intrigued by it.

 

[HellToupee]

So basically they came out with the iPad 3-4 years later and that's their big announcement?

I didn't know the iPad had a cover that functions as a keyboard or a USB port.

That keyboard looked real slick . I wonder how long 3rd party providers will take to make a knockoff keyboard/cover for the ipad

 

[HellToupee]

CNET poll on the Surface - 77% of people are either sold or intrigued by it.

if you like tech I can't imagine not being at least intrigued by it

 

[hutchins929]

I like the Apple fanboys saying Microsoft is late to the tablet game, even though Microsoft practically invented the tablet back in 2001, nearly a full decade before the iPad.

Good lord, this again? Yes, Microsoft "invented" the tablet computer years ago. And it was never more than a niche product because they shoehorned a desktop OS into a tablet form factor. Due to their design incompetence and lack of foresight they left the door open for Apple to create an entirely new tablet market and become the world's largest publically traded company in the process. Good job Microsoft!Feel better?

Virgin?

 

[cstu]

Do we have any psychologists/iatrists in the FFA? If so please do a study on the Apple Fanboyism that is becoming quite rampant within and report your findings.

This has already been done. Brain studies have shown it to have the same effect as radical religion.

I have observed that apple loyalists are more comparable to doushbag atheists.They're just gadgets, fools. Gadgets you didn't build, so attacking all apple's competitors makes no sense. I don't understand the insecurity at all. It's that type of attitude that makes me never want to own an apple product lest I be grouped with those idiots.

Even if you love Apple products you should realize that competition is good. Perhaps Apple will finally add some features that people want and crush whatever MS is trying to do. Either way it's a win for consumers.

 

[Rayderr]

So basically they came out with the iPad 3-4 years later and that's their big announcement?

I didn't know the iPad had a cover that functions as a keyboard or a USB port.

The keyboard is a nice touch. Never had much interest in a tablet as their functionality seemed limited to me. But getting so it can double as a laptop makes it much more appealing.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Looks good. Will most likely buy.

Anything about domain use? How easily will these integrate into a corporate setting?

 

[goonsquad]

I like the Apple fanboys saying Microsoft is late to the tablet game, even though Microsoft practically invented the tablet back in 2001, nearly a full decade before the iPad.

Good lord, this again? Yes, Microsoft "invented" the tablet computer years ago. And it was never more than a niche product because they shoehorned a desktop OS into a tablet form factor. Due to their design incompetence and lack of foresight they left the door open for Apple to create an entirely new tablet market and become the world's largest publically traded company in the process. Good job Microsoft!Feel better?

Virgin?

I'm flattered but no homo. Thx anyway.

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

Looks good. Will most likely buy.Anything about domain use? How easily will these integrate into a corporate setting?

If you get the pro version I am sure it is a no brainer, it is running windows 8, not sure about the RT version (or what RT even stands for).

 

[zDragon]

I like the Apple fanboys saying Microsoft is late to the tablet game, even though Microsoft practically invented the tablet back in 2001, nearly a full decade before the iPad.

Nearly invented it, if not for that pesky Newton 4 or 5 years earlier.

Newton was a PDA.

 

[Clifford]

So basically they came out with the iPad 3-4 years later and that's their big announcement?

I didn't know the iPad had a cover that functions as a keyboard or a USB port.

Had it via third party since iPad1, plus Apple makes their own bluetooth keyboard, so having a tactile keyboard for a tablet is neither innovative nor a game-changer.This is nothing more than another non-iPad tablet. How are those sales doing?

 

[zDragon]

Good Lord these threads are terrible...why can't I stay away?!?!?!?!

These threads would be fine if not for goonsquad. He's the LHUCKS of technology threads.

There are a few others but

 

[zDragon]

Disclaimer: 1) I make my living using Microsoft Server technologies & ASP.net 2) I prefer using a mac desktop, when I can. I run on a Macbook Pro at work, and a combo of Macbook Air & iMac at home. 3) I own an iPad, several iPhones and an iPod touch in my household, so we're heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem 4) I didn't watch any video of the presentationAll that said, if this tablet runs a full OS when the keyboard is present and does a good job with a tablet-style UI when it's not, it's kind of a big deal and it makes a lot of sense with what's happening on the Windows 8 front. It's sort of suspect that they'd be able to put enough power into something as thin and light as a tablet would need to be, but I think that's where they're *trying* to go. Using my iPad to take notes, I don't use the on-screen keyboard very well, so I bought a bluetooth keyboard to take notes, which is awesome. You mostly forget the real full OS stuff you're missing like windows and multitasking, but the instant you need to select some text or move the cursor and you reach for your mouse there's this moment of confusion where you transfer from this "interacting with a computer" to "interacting with a tablet" mode. I think Microsoft may be taking aim at both the ultrabooks and the tablet market with this device, I hope they're successful because if when I had a bluetooth keyboard and mouse hooked up, my iPad operated mostly as a macbook air running full OSX, it'd be awesome and, quite frankly, Apple needs a little competition and it's something we all benefit from.

I can already run a full windows session on my iPad with VMware View. Word, excel? Covered. I want to run that same exact instance from my desktop, droid, kindle fire? No problem, covered too. To me, that model is far superior and is definitely the way of the future. You really only need a full OS on a machine/tablet for your high end power users.

So can I, but you need a decently strong internet connection (i.e. not from a sailing boat), and you still cannot edit documents (w/o a keyboard and realistically a mouse - ever try highlighting text from your VMware View)? It's not nearly the same as being able to do anything you need w/o plugging into the cloud and still having difficulty copying/pasting editing.

Network connectivity is definitely a downside, for me it's VERY rare that poses any problems though and things are going to just continue getting better on that front. Personally not heavy on the editing side of things, and that's something that falls more to the higher end users who I really dont think things like View and tablets are geared towards. People that have these needs should just get a laptop IMO, I really don't get the constant motivation to turn these devices into something that was already on the market. These appear to be the concerns MS was listening to. It'll be interesting to see if this causes them to gain traction in the "it's a toy, I want a mouse and keyboard" market. Not sure those people are really hyped to get this though. My prediction is that it'll suck more at being a laptop than an actual laptop, and will suck more at being a tablet than an actual tablet.

Yeah, I much prefer to use those programs without a strong or any internet connection needed. As far as the second part of what you wrote though, I am one of those people that thinks the iPad is just a a toy and am excited to get a tablet that is much more functional. Jury is still out on if MSFT can pull it off but it looks much more promising than anything to date.Laptops just have not been durable enough for me; I have no desire to buy another one.

Microsoft problem is they do not market things as well as Apple. I mean look at all the Siri commercials. You can't get away from them no how matter how dumb they are.

 

[NCCommish]

I know quite a few companies that have been waiting to see what MS was going to do before fully embracing tablets. I think in a corporate environment MS should have a leg up. Yeah folks love some Apple but the guys making the call about gets on the network don't so much around here. I think MS has a chance to snag some significant market if this thing doesn't totally suck.

 

[hutchins929]

I like the Apple fanboys saying Microsoft is late to the tablet game, even though Microsoft practically invented the tablet back in 2001, nearly a full decade before the iPad.

Good lord, this again? Yes, Microsoft "invented" the tablet computer years ago. And it was never more than a niche product because they shoehorned a desktop OS into a tablet form factor. Due to their design incompetence and lack of foresight they left the door open for Apple to create an entirely new tablet market and become the world's largest publically traded company in the process. Good job Microsoft!Feel better?

Virgin?

I'm flattered but no homo. Thx anyway.

Wow, I struck a nerve! Let me guess... you were one of the with Darth Maul face paint on, at the midnight opening of Episode 1!?!

 

[zDragon]

I like the Apple fanboys saying Microsoft is late to the tablet game, even though Microsoft practically invented the tablet back in 2001, nearly a full decade before the iPad.

true but it was terrible execution. I bet Apple averages more ipad sales in any given day than ms tabs sold total.

How was it terrible execution? Apple waited a decade before they attempted a tablet. That's a big difference in what you could do with hardware/software. Apple one big strength has always been how it was apple to market it's product. Just because you can sell 1.5 million rocks to suckers doesn't mean it's the best toy on the market.

 

[zDragon]

So basically they came out with the iPad 3-4 years later and that's their big announcement?

I didn't know the iPad had a cover that functions as a keyboard or a USB port.

Had it via third party since iPad1, plus Apple makes their own bluetooth keyboard, so having a tactile keyboard for a tablet is neither innovative nor a game-changer.This is nothing more than another non-iPad tablet. How are those sales doing?

To me the keyboard is not the main selling point. The main selling point is you have a desktop OS on a tablet versus a phone OS on a tablet. If you happy carrying around a big phone fine. I want my tablet to do real work with. Just like I said in the iPad thread long ago. The iPad would be perfect if it ran the Mac OS versus the iPhone OS.

 

[Chaka]

As a practical matter businesses still run on Microsoft and it doesn't look like that is going to change anytime soon so there will be a market for a quality Microsoft tablet. I will wait until they release more information like, y'know, cost. But if it can act as a desktop replacement for business travel (i.e. full resident, no VM no Cloud, Office capability), I have tried with the iPad it just doesn't cut it in that realm, and have a better form factor than most laptops I can see a good sized market for this product.

Of course it will never outsell the iPad which, while very cool is not much more than a toy and a status symbol, but it doesn't have to outsell the iPad to be a success.

 

[NCCommish]

As a practical matter businesses still run on Microsoft and it doesn't look like that is going to change anytime soon so there will be a market for a quality Microsoft tablet. I will wait until they release more information like, y'know, cost. But if it can act as a desktop replacement for business travel (i.e. full resident, no VM no Cloud, Office capability), I have tried with the iPad it just doesn't cut it in that realm, and have a better form factor than most laptops I can see a good sized market for this product.Of course it will never outsell the iPad which, while very cool is not much more than a toy and a status symbol, but it doesn't have to outsell the iPad to be a success.

Well they haven't been specific for a reason. They don't want to cut any other makers throat. They need other tablet makers to embrace Win 8 and make products. They have said the Win 8 Pro will be in the Ultrabook price range so somewhere in the 700 to 900 range I would think. Probably closer to 7 than 9 in most flavors.

 

[SacramentoBob]

I know quite a few companies that have been waiting to see what MS was going to do before fully embracing tablets. I think in a corporate environment MS should have a leg up. Yeah folks love some Apple but the guys making the call about gets on the network don't so much around here. I think MS has a chance to snag some significant market if this thing doesn't totally suck.

I know I would much prefer to have a viable MS tablet at work, not because I care, but because I'm familiar with the platform and I know I can manage them. Either that or vendors need to step up their enterprise management tools for non-MS tablets. Tablets can be huge in the K-12 market, but being able to maintain CIPA complance for take home tablets can be tough.

 

[NCCommish]

I know quite a few companies that have been waiting to see what MS was going to do before fully embracing tablets. I think in a corporate environment MS should have a leg up. Yeah folks love some Apple but the guys making the call about gets on the network don't so much around here. I think MS has a chance to snag some significant market if this thing doesn't totally suck.

I know I would much prefer to have a viable MS tablet at work, not because I care, but because I'm familiar with the platform and I know I can manage them. Either that or vendors need to step up their enterprise management tools for non-MS tablets. Tablets can be huge in the K-12 market, but being able to maintain CIPA complance for take home tablets can be tough.

Which is where most of the Network Admins I work with regularly are at.

 

[DrJ]

I know quite a few companies that have been waiting to see what MS was going to do before fully embracing tablets. I think in a corporate environment MS should have a leg up. Yeah folks love some Apple but the guys making the call about gets on the network don't so much around here. I think MS has a chance to snag some significant market if this thing doesn't totally suck.

I know I would much prefer to have a viable MS tablet at work, not because I care, but because I'm familiar with the platform and I know I can manage them. Either that or vendors need to step up their enterprise management tools for non-MS tablets. Tablets can be huge in the K-12 market, but being able to maintain CIPA complance for take home tablets can be tough.

Which is where most of the Network Admins I work with regularly are at.

Question is who is going to win this battle? The Network Admins or the guys that write their checks? With all of these devices and users all having their favorites, is IT going to be able to maintain that same level of control they have in the past and force users to certain devices? VMware and Cisco seem to be betting against that, and are really pushing the BYOD model. You maintain your control in the data center instead.

 

[HellToupee]

I like the Apple fanboys saying Microsoft is late to the tablet game, even though Microsoft practically invented the tablet back in 2001, nearly a full decade before the iPad.

true but it was terrible execution. I bet Apple averages more ipad sales in any given day than ms tabs sold total.

How was it terrible execution? Apple waited a decade before they attempted a tablet. That's a big difference in what you could do with hardware/software. Apple one big strength has always been how it was apple to market it's product. Just because you can sell 1.5 million rocks to suckers doesn't mean it's the best toy on the market.

You're right. It was great execution & the ipad sucks. HTH

 

[NutterButter]

Disclaimer: 1) I make my living using Microsoft Server technologies & ASP.net 2) I prefer using a mac desktop, when I can. I run on a Macbook Pro at work, and a combo of Macbook Air & iMac at home. 3) I own an iPad, several iPhones and an iPod touch in my household, so we're heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem 4) I didn't watch any video of the presentationAll that said, if this tablet runs a full OS when the keyboard is present and does a good job with a tablet-style UI when it's not, it's kind of a big deal and it makes a lot of sense with what's happening on the Windows 8 front. It's sort of suspect that they'd be able to put enough power into something as thin and light as a tablet would need to be, but I think that's where they're *trying* to go. Using my iPad to take notes, I don't use the on-screen keyboard very well, so I bought a bluetooth keyboard to take notes, which is awesome. You mostly forget the real full OS stuff you're missing like windows and multitasking, but the instant you need to select some text or move the cursor and you reach for your mouse there's this moment of confusion where you transfer from this "interacting with a computer" to "interacting with a tablet" mode. I think Microsoft may be taking aim at both the ultrabooks and the tablet market with this device, I hope they're successful because if when I had a bluetooth keyboard and mouse hooked up, my iPad operated mostly as a macbook air running full OSX, it'd be awesome and, quite frankly, Apple needs a little competition and it's something we all benefit from.

I can already run a full windows session on my iPad with VMware View. Word, excel? Covered. I want to run that same exact instance from my desktop, droid, kindle fire? No problem, covered too. To me, that model is far superior and is definitely the way of the future. You really only need a full OS on a machine/tablet for your high end power users.

So can I, but you need a decently strong internet connection (i.e. not from a sailing boat), and you still cannot edit documents (w/o a keyboard and realistically a mouse - ever try highlighting text from your VMware View)? It's not nearly the same as being able to do anything you need w/o plugging into the cloud and still having difficulty copying/pasting editing.

Network connectivity is definitely a downside, for me it's VERY rare that poses any problems though and things are going to just continue getting better on that front. Personally not heavy on the editing side of things, and that's something that falls more to the higher end users who I really dont think things like View and tablets are geared towards. People that have these needs should just get a laptop IMO, I really don't get the constant motivation to turn these devices into something that was already on the market. These appear to be the concerns MS was listening to. It'll be interesting to see if this causes them to gain traction in the "it's a toy, I want a mouse and keyboard" market. Not sure those people are really hyped to get this though. My prediction is that it'll suck more at being a laptop than an actual laptop, and will suck more at being a tablet than an actual tablet.

Yeah, I much prefer to use those programs without a strong or any internet connection needed. As far as the second part of what you wrote though, I am one of those people that thinks the iPad is just a a toy and am excited to get a tablet that is much more functional. Jury is still out on if MSFT can pull it off but it looks much more promising than anything to date.Laptops just have not been durable enough for me; I have no desire to buy another one.

Microsoft problem is they do not market things as well as Apple. I mean look at all the Siri commercials. You can't get away from them no how matter how dumb they are.

The marketing for retina display and siri have been meh; probably has something to do with the lack of excitement with those features. It was much better when it was hipster dude vs corporate monkey.

 

[Fennis]

CNET poll on the Surface - 77% of people are either sold or intrigued by it.

Goon voted 23% of the time?

 

[DrJ]

There's a lot of movement on the device management front - on the iPad front there's some solid 3rd party options in Mobile Iron and Airwatch. Problem is that Apple only allows you to control so much. Both can do Droids to some extent.

On the Droid end there's also 3LM, which is a spin off of Google then bought by Motorola and I think is back to Google again. Problem there was that Google lets the vendors do whatever they want to the OS so there was no common platform for managment. 3LM made agreements with the vendors to put in management hooks that were common across all of them.

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/255219/3lm_symantec_and_wyse_all_aim_to_simplify_management_of_mobile_devices.html

Microsoft getting in the game could definitely pressure Apple to put more of a priority on this. But there's a very realistic change that IT is screwed and is going to have to embrace all of this stuff. Hence the BYOD movement. And either way - making it all cloud based so that your employees can have a common platform on their kindles, iPads, Droids, and whatever else is still a winner for both productivity and budgeting. And security, regulatory requirements, manageability, break-fix, lots of benefits. Give them some thin client laptop, tell them to get whatever tablet they want on their own dime, call it a day. If it's a user that needs heavy horsepower, give them a real laptop/desktop that you already know how to manage, tell them to get whatever tablet on their own dime, and call it a day.