[Merle]

So, what do you think?

I'm pretty excited - I've been waiting for a tablet that gives me the ease of tablet touch-screen design with the ability to actually use it as a more conventional netbook-type machine. I think this could be it...


To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
.

[eagleseven]

If it's under $500, and the combo can be used on your lap like a regular laptop, then this might be the tablet that replaces my netbook. If it's in the $500-$1000 range, I think my Asus EeePC will continue to be my traveling workhorse.

[Necrosis]

	Originally Posted by eagleseven To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	If it's under $500, and the combo can be used on your lap like a regular laptop, then this might be the tablet that replaces my netbook. If it's in the $500-$1000 range, I think my Asus EeePC will continue to be my traveling workhorse.

The consensus based on the presentation is that the lower end 'home' model will be between 400-600 (probably on the lower end) and the higher pro model will be around ultrabook pricing which is around $1,000

This tablet is designed as a laptop replacement. And if it succeeds as such will be a powerful device on the market. As a note, only the Pro version will support desktop Windows 8 mode. The WinRT ARM version is Metro Apps only.

I think MSFT did right on this one. Looks great so far.

[Merle]

Originally Posted by Necrosis To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

The consensus based on the presentation is that the lower end 'home' model will be between 400-600 (probably on the lower end) and the higher pro model will be around ultrabook pricing which is around $1,000 This tablet is designed as a laptop replacement. And if it succeeds as such will be a powerful device on the market. As a note, only the Pro version will support desktop Windows 8 mode. The WinRT ARM version is Metro Apps only. I think MSFT did right on this one. Looks great so far.

The RT version will still come bundled with Office and a couple of other programs, though, right? But maybe not quite full versions? I think I read that. On a machine you use as a tablet probably half of the time or more, Metro would probably be more functional. I presume you can flip between the two on the pro? I haven't used Windows 8 yet, but is that right?

I think the pro sounds like the perfect computer for my usage. It also has a stylus. Unfortunately, I think I'll only be able to afford the RT
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[Necrosis]

Originally Posted by Merle To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

The RT version will still come bundled with Office and a couple of other programs, though, right? But maybe not quite full versions? I think I read that. On a machine you use as a tablet probably half of the time or more, Metro would probably be more functional. I think the pro sounds like the perfect computer for my usage. It also has a stylus. Unfortunately, I think I'll only be able to afford the RT To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Yes - there will be both a desktop and metro MS office app. You can find some vague details here. Expect a beta version in the next few weeks.


To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

	I presume you can flip between the two on the pro? I haven't used Windows 8 yet, but is that right?

Yup. That's exactly how it works and it's why it's a bit confusing for some people. The lower left corner where the "start" button currently is on windows now triggers a switch into metro mode where you can launch metro apps.

The confusing thing for example is that on windows 8 there is a desktop IE and a metro IE app. They look nothing alike and are entirely different applications. One does not invoke the other. Metro apps and desktop apps live in two different worlds and cannot co-exist. It's an entirely different API under the hood.

I will say though, IE Metro looks pretty amazing.

[Zsych]

OS aside, for a user device, ideally i'd like better looking
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
coupled with
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
for input.

Its a cool tablet / netbook replacement, but the idea of tablets is starting to feel dated.

Edit: Even in the current plans, Google's Project Glass incorporates some finger tracking for input. Nice!

Add a virtual cloud computing environment for heavy lifting, and you don't need much more. We'd be free of all these limiting devices... Well almost free. We'd be free when they run on bio-energy and are implanted into our eyes.

[wrongjargon]

I wanted one the moment I saw it. It has the two things that kept me from buying an iPad: a keyboard and a USB port. Plus I probably won't have to keep converting movies. Apple products are so picky.

Still, I remember my first experience with a Microsoft-powered PDA. Horrible little device. I'll decide on the Surface after I actually try one.

[babsa]

This will tempt me to get my first tablet. I have been eyeing windows tablets for a while now. Perhaps when i go to college in a few years it will be a wise decision.

[HackerX]

	Originally Posted by Zsych To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	OS aside, for a user device, ideally i'd like better looking To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. coupled with To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. for input.

Both are cool and I'm looking forward to them, but Surface is "this year" while Glasses is clearly a few years away. Well within my upgrade cycle. I also think they'll fit into different niches in the same way that netbooks and tablets don't cannibalise laptops completely.

This Surface ticks a lot of boxes for me, so it'll be interesting to see price points and features offered at release.

[thesorehead]

Damn the devices look good. I want to read proper reviews and benchmarks of course, but I'm due for an upgrade and failing major issues the Surface Pro will be on the shortlist. It just needs to be able to play Starcraft 2.

[Necrosis]

	Originally Posted by thesorehead To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Damn the devices look good. I want to read proper reviews and benchmarks of course, but I'm due for an upgrade and failing major issues the Surface Pro will be on the shortlist. It just needs to be able to play Starcraft 2.

LoL. That's funny because when they announced the Pro version, the first thing I told my cousin was, it will handle SC2. The RT version of course cannot since it's metro only
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[Polymath20]

Tablet is just a new form factor, like how the laptop was an evolution of the desktop, which was an evolution of the terminal client.

Tablets have their place. They are underpowered for their price, IMO.

[Merle]

	Originally Posted by Polymath20 To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Tablet is just a new form factor, like how the laptop was an evolution of the desktop, which was an evolution of the terminal client. Tablets have their place. They are underpowered for their price, IMO.

Did you read the press-release? Part of the reason that the Surface Pro is exciting, to me at least, is that it should hopefully be a fully functioning ultrabook, so it will be as powerful as a standard laptop but with the portability and touch-screen interface of a tablet. It should cost about the same as an ultrabook...so that would be reasonably priced, surely?

[Polymath20]

	Originally Posted by Merle To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Did you read the press-release? Part of the reason that the Surface Pro is exciting, to me at least, is that it should hopefully be a fully functioning ultrabook, so it will be as powerful as a standard laptop but with the portability and touch-screen interface of a tablet. It should cost about the same as an ultrabook...so that would be reasonably priced, surely?

Microsoft has lots of practice with building hype around their consumer products. Most have failed throughout their history with the notable exception of the Xbox line. I'll believe it when I see it.

[Necrosis]

	Originally Posted by Polymath20 To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Microsoft has lots of practice with building hype around their consumer products. Most have failed throughout their history with the notable exception of the Xbox line. I'll believe it when I see it.

That can be said with any company though. Apple has failed products in their history line as well. It's part of the innovation cycle.

The Zune was highly regarded as a great device. I owned one and without prejudice it was the best MP3 device I ever owned. Tough as nails and was very easy to use. The only reason it "failed" was because of how saturated the market already was with iPod. It's hard to sell a Zune to someone who owns 3 iPods.


If you want more hype though... just read about the windows phone 8 press conference they had today.... Honestly... this might just be the best thing since sliced bread.

Recap:

To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[Merle]

	Originally Posted by Polymath20 To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Microsoft has lots of practice with building hype around their consumer products. Most have failed throughout their history with the notable exception of the Xbox line. I'll believe it when I see it.

Fair enough. For now, I'm excited at the prospect of a tablet that can function like a laptop...maybe I'll be disappointed, but I'll wait and see before making a decision.

---------- Post added 06-20-2012 at 04:34 PM ----------

	Originally Posted by Necrosis To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	The Zune was highly regarded as a great device. I owned one and without prejudice it was the best MP3 device I ever owned. Tough as nails and was very easy to use. The only reason it "failed" was because of how saturated the market already was with iPod. It's hard to sell a Zune to someone who owns 3 iPods.

I agree - the Zune was actually a great device, and their software was much nicer to use and more attractive than i-tunes too. I had an ipod, though, because I lived in the U.K.
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[Polymath20]

Originally Posted by Necrosis To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

That can be said with any company though. Apple has failed products in their history line as well. It's part of the innovation cycle. The Zune was highly regarded as a great device. I owned one and without prejudice it was the best MP3 device I ever owned. Tough as nails and was very easy to use. The only reason it "failed" was because of how saturated the market already was with iPod. It's hard to sell a Zune to someone who owns 3 iPods. If you want more hype though... just read about the windows phone 8 press conference they had today.... Honestly... this might just be the best thing since sliced bread. Recap: To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

So their market timing is horrible too...
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

	Originally Posted by Merle To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Fair enough. For now, I'm excited at the prospect of a tablet that can function like a laptop...maybe I'll be disappointed, but I'll wait and see before making a decision.

Tablets are excellent for some things, especially for apps with a UI tailored to the touch-screen. However, for mobile work, writing, research... tablets just don't stack up because you really do need the extra screen space and a full-sized keyboard that a laptop offers.

I tried the netbook and tablet thing, but ended up just getting a full-sized laptop. After all, it has ample storage, RAM, and CPU horsepower - it can do everything I need it to. I just tote it around in a little backpack, which works well because I have a bunch of other crap to tote around (keys, wallet, phone, chargers...)

[Merle]

Originally Posted by Polymath20 To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

So their market timing is horrible too... To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Tablets are excellent for some things, especially for apps with a UI tailored to the touch-screen. However, for mobile work, writing, research... tablets just don't stack up because you really do need the extra screen space and a full-sized keyboard that a laptop offers. I tried the netbook and tablet thing, but ended up just getting a full-sized laptop. After all, it has ample storage, RAM, and CPU horsepower - it can do everything I need it to. I just tote it around in a little backpack, which works well because I have a bunch of other crap to tote around (keys, wallet, phone, chargers...)

Hmmn, I guess it's horses for courses then, I have a little 10" netbook that I do all my work outside the house - and some of my work when I'm inside the house- on (I also have a desktop-type set-up with a large monitor, wireless keyboard and laptop for long projects - i.e. when I'll be working for 3-6 hours at a time, or more). My netbook is on its last legs, and I will need a replacement soon... the Surface pro actually sounds like a giant leap up from my netbook to me : attached functional keyboard, full Windows 8 desktop plus the option to use in Metro mode as a tablet.

[Zsych]

	Originally Posted by Merle To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I agree - the Zune was actually a great device, and their software was much nicer to use and more attractive than i-tunes too. I had an ipod, though, because I lived in the U.K. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Apparently they should run an anti-Apple campaign... making their stuff look cooler.

It might also make sense to just spawn off new companies and have something like a "Powered by Microsoft" rather than directly using any part of the much maligned Microsoft name.

[Necrosis]

	Originally Posted by Polymath20 To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	So their market timing is horrible too... To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Now that one I have to agree with
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



The whole debacle of ultrabook, tablet, laptop... for me... I dunno. Personally, it's really a consumer decision that well... is really forced upon them by these monster companies. A laptop/desktop pairing is all i really need. Just my preference, but I can appreciate a good piece of technology.

[thesorehead]

No need to run an anti-Apple campaign. They just need to market the products effectively and deliver a compelling product.

So far these things look like they're happening: Win8 is widely regarded as A Good Thing (with its fair share of naysayers); the industrial design of Surface is near-universally lauded as "slick" and in-sync with the Metro interface; the
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
shows off the attractive hardware features without needing to emulate Apple's tone of simplicity and friendliness. Even WP8 is looking damn good, although I'm sadfasing that my Lumia won't be getting it.

I browsed a local retailer last night and considered the ergonomics of a Surface Pro based on the Ultrabooks on display, then ran fr-063 Magellan on an Ivy Bridge i7 ultrabook - which promptly trounced my (admittedly ageing) desktop PC.

All the pieces are in place and everything's looking good. Now it comes down to execution. But if the pretty and functional ultrabooks on display are any indication if Surface isn't all that, someone else will step up to the plate (Samsung, perhaps?)

[Urshulgi]

I'll be quite interested in subsequent versions of it. I'm interested in the current version, but I just bought a galaxy 10.1 seven months ago, and I'm not in the market for an upgrade. I think Microsoft might have out-appled apple with the surface. Other than the retina display, most of apple's recent claims to innovation were stolen from android devices.

I think that Windows Vista was much maligned, but Windows 7 has been working great on my desktops and laptops since it came out.

The reviews of Windows 8 and the metro interface so far indicate that Microsoft gets it now, and is innovating beyond Apple, rather than playing catch up.

Honestly, I think Apple's biggest coup was getting tech review writers to buy macbook pros a couple of years ago. Since then, almost every review of every device has a heavy "it's not as good as apple because I say so" slant, completely lacking any objective criteria of comparison.

[JTG]

I watched
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
, and it really looks fantastic. I've been avoiding tablets because i don't see them as a significant upgrade from a mobile phone other than the larger display.

This seems dramatically more powerful, has a keyboard, allows USB expansion, etc. I'll only be interested in the pro model though. If it's not a "real computer" as the pro seems it will be, then it's just a toy. My phone is really the only such toy i bother to carry around, only because it still has communication as a primary function.

[stealthfighter]

I'm not really into tablets as my Android phone and laptop are pretty much enough for all the digital stuff I have to do. If it comes fully capable of running all or at least most current PC-based software directly, I'd probably give it a try.