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Microsoft Introduces New "Surface" Tablet

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Re: Microsoft Introduces New "Surface" Tablet

#341

Post by greedo »

Samuel_Michon wrote: post #117

So, let me see if I got this right. From the live blog: Surface for Windows RT coming in 32GB and 64GB models. Priced "like comparable tablets based on ARM." This is the one that won't run Windows programs. Right now, there are little to no apps that are made for it. It's also the one without full HD screen. And they'll still try to sell them for $400-$600. Pro coming in 64GB and 128GB models, will be priced on par w…

If the enterprise market is happy with the functionality, they won't care about the price differential since it's not too far off a decent notebook. But the consumer market will not buy this if it's priced the same as an iPad. Look at the dismal sales of the Lumia phones.

Re: Microsoft Introduces New "Surface" Tablet

#342

Post by dag11 »

prezjordan wrote: post #264
steverb wrote: post #131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If that is actually true, then you do not have a high quality workstation.

See, I always get this response, but no one has yet to prove to me that VS can open and be ready to use in less than a minute. I'd like to see video, until then I'll keep believing VS users are incapable of keeping time.

I made this just for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A78RVmhoGMw Visual Studio opens in 2 to 3 seconds.

Re: Microsoft Introduces New "Surface" Tablet

#343

Post by DigitalSea »

People will bitch and whine, but you've got to hand it to Microsoft the Surface tablet is pretty appealing and I say that without any bias or affiliation with Microsoft. The video was a bit cheesy and very motion graphics oriented which is completely different to their regular style of low-budget looking ameteur product videos.

I won't contribute to the Microsoft is trying to compete with the Apple iPad debate but I will say you'd have to be an idiot to not at least try and challenge Apple's dominance in the tablet market which Microsoft is doing and is probably one of the only company that has the potential to succeed in doing so.

If the price is right, I'll definitely buy one of these. Using my heavy laptop on the train just isn't viable any more and I can't code on an iPad because it doesn't have a keyboard.

Re: Microsoft Introduces New "Surface" Tablet

#344

Post by InclinedPlane »

aymeric wrote: post #166
InclinedPlane wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They demoed a working one at the press conference. I would be shocked if this didn't release the same day as Windows 8.

Oh ok, what did you think of it?

I was pretty impressed. It's a huge indication that MS is taking the evolution of the computer very seriously and are making a very strong response.

For myself, I'm interested in the device and I may end up buying one, it looks like it could suit my needs very well. However, what's good for me may not be good for MS. I fear that Windows 8 may not be enough of a seamless, hassle-free experience for the average user as the iPad seems to be. If MS only gets the high-end power users in the tablet and PC market I think they have a very real risk of get squeezed out of the market between android, apple, and linux. This is a strong move, and they're still at the top of the market, but the market has been disrupted and they need several strong moves to keep on the top of the game.

Re: Microsoft Introduces New "Surface" Tablet

#346

Post by Samuel_Michon »

bane wrote: post #321
Bud wrote: post #243

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Screwing around with iTunes"? You've either both not worked in any large companies lately AND never really used an iPad, or you are just blinded by platform bias. The fact is that iPads are being massively adopted in Fortune 500 companies. And I can assure you that those users are not "screwing around with iTunes". In fact, iTunes doesn't even exist on the iPad, so you don't really know what you are talking about, a…

That's amazing because of the 11 Fortune 100 companies I've personally done work with in the last few years (and 2 more in that size range that aren't publicly traded), I don't recall seeing a single iPad. I mean, I didn't work with Apple or Google, so I can guess you'd see them there. Neither bank allowed them on-site, and none of the defense contractors would even entertain the idea. You can also probably rule out…

I think this is what Bud was referring to:

http://thenextweb.com/apple/2011/10/04/92-of-the-fortune-500...

Re: Microsoft Introduces New "Surface" Tablet

#347

Post by dennisgorelik »

I just see how ad designers for that picture/video prepare their creatives on their macs and fill dirty for selling their souls to M$.

That also brought me another memory: Zune. So much hype and so poor results.

Microsoft should stick with desktop/business software and keep milking it. MS is not capable of doing anything else profitably anymore.

Re: Microsoft Introduces New "Surface" Tablet

#348

Post by mrdodge »

greedo wrote: post #316
tkahnoski wrote: post #291

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I came to the same thought about the supply chain at first, but Microsoft does sell hardware, the XBox (and I guess the Zune.) Certainly not the same as Apple, but they do have handle on it. Given how a lot of OEMs are pumping Androids, Microsoft may just have to start hedging its bets. (On a lighter note maybe we can start a red-ring of death meme).

Microsoft does ship a huge number of XBox, I think around 60+ million last year, but it's not really a cutting edge device since the console market is relatively sluggish when it comes to change. The Kinect is much more interesting from a technical standpoint. I think based on the dreck that the OEMs have been delivering for the last 8-10 years, it's not surprising that Microsoft felt it had to jump into the hardware…

Xbox 360 - 67.2 million sold since November 2005.

Re: Microsoft Introduces New "Surface" Tablet

#349

Post by ttrashh »

aik wrote: post #180
Samuel_Michon wrote: post #144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pen+touch+type seems like a great idea. It is something no other manufacturer has tried to do. Apple Newton MessagePad, 1993. It had a stylus, handwriting recognition, you could use it with just your fingertips, and you could connect an external keyboard. http://www.flickr.com/photos/atow/4314242537/ That was almost twenty years a go. Newton was a very expensive experiment for Apple, and they have learned the hard wa…

And it failed. I think the point is that it's nothing that anyone has tried recently, as the technology just hasn't been good enough. We're in a completely different world than the one in 1993. The question now is whether the technology today is good enough to be usable. No one else has tried it recently, meaning common understanding is that even today it's too complicated/not good enough. Until now.

I have the Samsung reference tablet from Build. The stylus works very very well. Being able to lay my hand on the screen and write accurately is great.
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