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Introducing Surface Laptop

blogs.windows.com

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Re: Introducing Surface Laptop

#291
post #269

Windows S is completely backwards. If the Windows Store was actually any good, they should make a version without store apps (win32 only) and let customers pay a premium to use signed, vetted, store apps. (Only half kidding...) But this way around, store apps will always be viewed as the cheaper, less featured option.

Mostly I don't get the different between Windows RT and Windows S. Did they just change the name?

Basically the same idea except S runs on x86 and it's now much easier to convert bog-standard Win32 apps to store apps.

Re: Introducing Surface Laptop

#292

Only one question for Microsoft: touchpad. I have a Macbook and touchpads are just vastly superior to anything else in the market. If they nailed this, they have a new customer.

If it's similar to Surface Book's one (and I suspect it is) - then it comes very close to Macbooks. I was spoiled by MacBook Pro's touchpad and felt that even "premium" Windows laptops have shitty ones but Surface Book touchpad is very good. It has slightly smaller amount of gestures, but the basics are there.

Re: Introducing Surface Laptop

#293
post #234

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Until you loose internet connectivity (happens from time to time), or go abroad and don't want to pay high fees for net access. Or when Google decides that you broke some of their rules (frequently happens in AdSense) and blocks all of your accounts.

I think you're missing the point. Children don't need to worry about breaking AdSense rules and getting their accounts blocked, especially if they have accounts dedicated for school. Children also will have internet at school.

I didn't know that there are special accounts, I assumed they are reusing their own.

If it is like a corporate accounts in other places then yes, no need to worry about blocking the account.

Re: Introducing Surface Laptop

#294
post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If this thing could be persuaded to run Linux out of the box with no driver problems, it could be a Macbook killer.

Have you tried Bash on Windows? Been using it lightly (still dual boot) but it's pretty good experience.

Yes, I've used WSL. Not bad. Even got a fairly complex work application running on it (~3 weeks ago).

Promising for sure.

Re: Introducing Surface Laptop

#295
post #234

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Until you loose internet connectivity (happens from time to time), or go abroad and don't want to pay high fees for net access. Or when Google decides that you broke some of their rules (frequently happens in AdSense) and blocks all of your accounts.

Do you really think you can't use a Chromebook in offline mode?

I don't know - gp wrote that the data is "100% cloud based" so I assumed they don't.

Re: Introducing Surface Laptop

#296

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you're missing the point. Children don't need to worry about breaking AdSense rules and getting their accounts blocked, especially if they have accounts dedicated for school. Children also will have internet at school.

Exactly, these are single purpose laptops for education. And I do believe that google docs has an offline mode now. So they can work offline for a limited period (at least). And how does this 1000 USD compete with 250 USD boxes?

The way it likely competes (which I'm not saying I agree with) is on supportability and productivity.

That is to say, I'm sure Microsoft has data that "shows" these will be cheaper to administrate and support than Chromebooks. Combine that with all the software you can install, or offline workflows, etc and Microsoft comes out on top (according to Microsoft).

It's how Microsoft has always done things. I'm not here saying it's right or wrong, I'm just trying to answer your question.

Re: Introducing Surface Laptop

#297
post #136

Installing "Windows 10 S" is like getting one of that ink printers that cost $40, but then you pay $60 for each ink cartridge. To minimize the impact, Microsoft allows for an upgrade to a real version of Windows. It is an smart move, as it lowers the friction to later on remove that possibility completely (I hope that not in this model). The hardware looks good, but it is another movement towards the "technology tax"…

This allows Microsoft to shave a few dollars off the price in order to either make it up via the app store or get users to pay the difference for Pro. It's both terrible and brilliant.

Re: Introducing Surface Laptop

#298

They're now demoing the Surface Laptop. Thinner than a MacBook Air. Faster than a MacBook Pro. Longer battery life than either. The downside? "Windows 10 S", which only runs apps from the Windows Store. The upside over Windows RT from the Windows 8 era? You can port Win32 apps to the Store today, don't think you could back then. Edit: You can upgrade Windows 10 S to ordinary Windows 10 Pro for $50. Laptops that run W…

The Windows Store page[0] state that "Prefer to run non-Store apps? Easily switch to Windows 10 Pro for free until Dec 31, 2017". [0] https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/product...

Why don't they just ship it with W10 Pro already installed?

Are there hardware issues, or do they hope a percentage of the population will pay for the upgrade in 2018?

Re: Introducing Surface Laptop

#299

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's "major"? No Office (only OneNote), no Adobe Acrobat or CC...

> No Office (only OneNote), no Adobe Acrobat or CC... Office for Mac - https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/cat/Office-... Adobe Acrobat Reader for Mac - https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/install-reader-dc-mac-os.... What's CC?

Those aren't links to the Mac App Store. The previous poster was talking about major apps that aren't available through Apple's own App Store for the Mac.

Similarly, while you can get Photoshop Elements in the Windows Store, I don't believe you can get the full Photoshop CC on the Windows Store yet.

Re: Introducing Surface Laptop

#300
post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

yeah that sounds like Windows RT but up-gradable if needed. The thing is, for a lot of people just running Office and a browser they'll be happy. What a lot of people won't like is having Edge only as their browser though.

Mozilla and Google are free to add their browsers to store.

But can't be set as the default.
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