New Tablet manufactured by Microsoft - 'Surface'

[LCR265]

Just seen the announcement for the new Microsoft Tablet named 'Surface'. Wonder how well it will do - looks neat to me.

Youtube video

Engadget link

[davepoth]

LCR265 said:

Just seen the announcement for the new Microsoft Tablet named 'Surface'. Wonder how well it will do - looks neat to me.

Youtube video

Engadget link

It'll tank. It's a commodity operating system on commodity hardware, and Microsoft are not going to update it often enough to keep pace with the commodity brands, who are on a release cycle akin to mobile phones.

They're half way between the Android and Apple model, and I think they've fallen between two stools.

[RobDickinson]

They look very good tablets.

WinRT is nvidia (tegra?) 676g and the thin one. 32/64gig
Windows i5 intel one is 900g and thicker, 64/128gig

Shame no prices or availability. Why have a product launch months before the product.. launches.

I assume microsoft just dont trust their OEM hardware makers to make decent tablets for windows8 launch

[bosshog]

When microsoft put their name to hardware - its always top notch.

I'll be looking at this very closely when it comes out. I'm sick of being locked in to Apple.

[Olf]

bosshog said:

I'll be looking at this very closely when it comes out. I'm sick of being locked in to Apple.

What does that mean? How are you locked in?

[jas xjr]

Surprise surprise , tablet failed to work at launch . Had to be replaced . Source , radio world service

[bosshog]

Olf said:

What does that mean? How are you locked in?

My main grip, is that its the apple way or no way - especially around data sync, ie photo's, contact, etc
Also being forced to upgrade to the lastest OS version otherwise aspects of my dev account won't work, as I must have the latest version of xcode. I was pretty happy before, however Lion sucks for me. There's other things I come across every now and again. I suppose, I'm just not one for 'only 1 choice' type of platforms. I understand the reasons why apple do what they do, and it works for the masses. I just have different requirements.

[RobDickinson]

jas xjr said:

Surprise surprise , tablet failed to work at launch . Had to be replaced . Source , radio world service

Preproduction hardware and software. Still I dont see why this has happened now, with preproduction hardware and software.

One thing to learn from Apple, if you have a launch party/keynote, have actual product available to order online that afternoon.

[TheHeretic]

bosshog said:

My main grip, is that its the apple way or no way - especially around data sync, ie photo's, contact, etc
Also being forced to upgrade to the lastest OS version otherwise aspects of my dev account won't work, as I must have the latest version of xcode. I was pretty happy before, however Lion sucks for me. There's other things I come across every now and again. I suppose, I'm just not one for 'only 1 choice' type of platforms. I understand the reasons why apple do what they do, and it works for the masses. I just have different requirements.

That sounds awful. Imagine being a developer and having to use the latest version of scode. You are more than welcome to use photobucket, flickr, and the like for photographs, and contacts and calendars can be done with google, and so on.

The 'apple way' or no way seems to me to be a bit of a myth. You don't even need to use iTunes these days. Sharepod, media monkey, or even just have the device 'as is'.

[HeatonNorris]

bosshog said:

When microsoft put their name to hardware - its always top notch.

Zune.

I rest my case.

[bosshog]

HeatonNorris said:

Zune.

I rest my case.

ah yes. I was thinking more xbox, keyboards, mouse, etc

[RobDickinson]

HeatonNorris said:

bosshog said:

When microsoft put their name to hardware - its always top notch.

Zune.

I rest my case.

Was nothing wrong with zune hardware or software, just too little too late into an established and failing market

[wolves_wanderer]

HeatonNorris said:

bosshog said:

When microsoft put their name to hardware - its always top notch.

Zune.

I rest my case.

The Zune was better hardware than the iPod of the time (not that anyone noticed or cared), Zune pass is a good value offering (not that anyone cares). I suspect this will go the same way. People will either want to stick with the perceived quality of the market leader or go for some £99 Chinese Android POS.

I quite like the look of the I5 version, I certainly won't automatically replace my tired iPad 1 with the next iPad now.

[RobDickinson]

wolves_wanderer said:

I quite like the look of the I5 version, I certainly won't automatically replace my tired iPad 1 with the next iPad now.

i5/intel version is really an ultrabook competitor and will be priced like it.

The ARM windows RT one is the iPad competitor.

[The Moose]

That video seems more about showing off someone's video editing skills than the 'surface'.

The little flap that the tablet stands on will be broken off left right and centre as soon as anyone under the age of 5 gets hold of the thing.

I like the keyboard on the case - lovely idea indeed.

On balance, I'll probably be on an iPad but I haven't played with Windows 8 yet, so let's see...

[Stu R]

I think it'll do pretty well if they market it properly. Microsoft hardware is usually excellent quality as has been said, and I've been really impressed by Windows 8 and Windows phone - both have some great features and the next generation of Windows phone should be very good indeed.

Looking forward to having a play with it, while I'm not in a rush to replace my Apple kit, I dare say I'll still give the MS tablet a go.

[wolves_wanderer]

RobDickinson said:

wolves_wanderer said:

I quite like the look of the I5 version, I certainly won't automatically replace my tired iPad 1 with the next iPad now.

i5/intel version is really an ultrabook competitor and will be priced like it.

The ARM windows RT one is the iPad competitor.

Yep. A real tablet with a desktop OS on it would be fantastic for me. More competition for the iPad with the RT version can only be a good thing too.

[dxg]

To me, the pen on the i5 is what may clinch it for me. The brief look at Windows 8 desktop even looked passible, despite aero being lost.

I've been waiting for a tablet pc that actually works as being able to write on documents is massively helpful for me work. This may well be the tablet to truly penetrate the business sector. Price will be a factor, obviously. And the actual specs - battery life being something that's not been mentioned, for example.

[ZesPak]

Hmm, as said, MS ties their name with some top notch hardware. When they made the Xbox, everybody thought they were insane trying to compete in that market with Sony and Nintendo, and look where it got them.
Of course, one of the big selling points of the xbox is the terrific (yet paid!) Xbox live network.
This tablet will have Windows 8 as it's main selling point and differentiation. I'll be looking forward to having a play!
Oh and yes, the i5 will be priced rather high, I'd guess about € 1000 including keyboard, which is very steep for a tablet.

[dxg]

ZesPak said:

Oh and yes, the i5 will be priced rather high, I'd guess about € 1000 including keyboard, which is very steep for a tablet.

Hence the ultrabook anchor.