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The Microsoft Surface Pro Proves That The PC Is Back

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Re: The Microsoft Surface Pro Proves That The PC Is Back

#11
post #7
post #3

I can't agree with the statement, "It's a laptop!". It's almost impossible to use in your lap comfortably the way you would a laptop.

Everyone uses it like one though; I haven't seen one review even mention the on screen keyboard. Is there even one?

I've actually been incredibly curious about how well the on-screen keyboard works for these windows 8 machines on a long-term basis (or at least actual usage, not just fiddling around in the shop), but nobody talks about them.

I can therefore only conclude that they're quite terrible?

Re: The Microsoft Surface Pro Proves That The PC Is Back

#13

I'm sorry but I'm not buying it. Whenever I hear someone say "I'm not pro X" or "I'm not anti-Y" or "I'm not a Z apologist" it's always followed by a "but" that essentially amounts to "I've put my blinders on and trying my best to sound objective". Now, this could just be me but I really doubt it - the upgraded specs and compatibility don't mean anything to me even as a power user if I'm not able to comfortably work…

visualcsharp, you have been hellbanned for quite some time.

Re: The Microsoft Surface Pro Proves That The PC Is Back

#14
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Everyone uses it like one though; I haven't seen one review even mention the on screen keyboard. Is there even one?

I've actually been incredibly curious about how well the on-screen keyboard works for these windows 8 machines on a long-term basis (or at least actual usage, not just fiddling around in the shop), but nobody talks about them. I can therefore only conclude that they're quite terrible?

On the contrary, if they were terrible, everybody would be talking about them. This is Microsoft after all. If no one says anything, I would assume it was good.

Re: The Microsoft Surface Pro Proves That The PC Is Back

#15

I'm sorry but I'm not buying it. Whenever I hear someone say "I'm not pro X" or "I'm not anti-Y" or "I'm not a Z apologist" it's always followed by a "but" that essentially amounts to "I've put my blinders on and trying my best to sound objective". Now, this could just be me but I really doubt it - the upgraded specs and compatibility don't mean anything to me even as a power user if I'm not able to comfortably work…

visualcsharp, you have been hellbanned for quite some time.

My guess is that he knows, and posts anyway. I have come across this a few times.

Re: The Microsoft Surface Pro Proves That The PC Is Back

#17
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Everyone uses it like one though; I haven't seen one review even mention the on screen keyboard. Is there even one?

I've actually been incredibly curious about how well the on-screen keyboard works for these windows 8 machines on a long-term basis (or at least actual usage, not just fiddling around in the shop), but nobody talks about them. I can therefore only conclude that they're quite terrible?

actually, the onscreen keyboard is quite good IMO. You can switch between the full sized mode (similar to any other tablet), and a layout designed for using your thumbs when holding the device.

Re: The Microsoft Surface Pro Proves That The PC Is Back

#18
I think the aspirations behind the Surface Pro are solid, but everything I've read about the execution leads me to believe that it is a huge failure. That happens. Sometimes you try to push something too early or it requires many iterations to actually get right. I suspect it will take a lot of evolution for some frankensteinian relative of both mobile and desktop operating systems to be good enough to actually serve as the root of the future of personal computing. I'm certain that Windows 8 and the Surface Pro won't be anything more than a footnote in that evolutionary tree.

In many ways this was pretty close to the move that Microsoft needed to make now, but it's not right enough and not good enough and not executed well enough either. In the timespan between the announcement and release Apple will have gone through an entire ipad rev. cycle. You can't fight against an OODA loop that is multiples faster than yours with half-measures and mediocrity. The company is already on the betting table whether you like it or not, you need to play to win or go home.

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