I could see this being an excellent on-the-go digital sculpting/modeling machine. If the digitizer is comparable to a Wacom, this would be great for zbrush.
Surface with Windows 8 Pro – Pricing
91–100 of 127 posts
Re: Surface with Windows 8 Pro – Pricing
#92Earlier quoted context omitted.
So you have something that's not good at any of the use cases involved?
I'm curious as to how this isn't as good (on paper) as something like a Macbook Air or a PC Ultrabook ?
- A crappier keyboard.
- A rigid display whose viewing angles can't be adjusted.
- The keyboard doesn't work very well when you use it on your lap. You have to place it on a table.
- It's more fragile, especially in tablet mode.
Re: Surface with Windows 8 Pro – Pricing
#93The marketplace isn't going to understand that this is more of a computer than an iPad. They need to hammer on "this runs Office".
In no wise is this "more of a computer" than an iPad (N7/Fire/&c.) It is a "Windows computer" in exactly the same way that an iPad is an "iOS computer". Thinking that "is a computer" is the same as "runs Windows" is why Microsoft is fighting the desperate, Surface-lead rear-guard action against encroachments on their turf.
Re: Surface with Windows 8 Pro – Pricing
#94Does anyone know how much RAM this thing has, since marketing speak has now taken "memory" to mean "storage space". What's funny is calling this a laptop since your lap is about the only place you can't use it (apart from as a tablet I suppose). It's really a portable desktop.
4GM RAM (#)
Also, I own a Surface RT and can use it on my lap.
(#) http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-US/surface-with-windows-...
Re: Surface with Windows 8 Pro – Pricing
#95Earlier quoted context omitted.
Active digitizers aren't cheap, and are really great with one note (I have the Samsung tablet). My problem with this tablet is also that I can't use it as a laptop (literally, I like working on sofas at starbucks). On the other hand, the resolution looks quite promising, its almost retina! The good old tablet PCs have good digitizers on them, and they are still being made. I'm not sure what I will replace my EliteBoo…
Disclosure: Microsoft employee. I'm also a photographer in my spare time, and I'm looking forward to this device, in part because a friend of mine is an artist and she wanted me to evaluate it when it comes out to see if it's worth the money to her. The digitizer is definitely the biggest thing I want to test on the device. I'm hoping that the pen has pressure sensitivity, at least; and I'm hoping that it turns the s…
I'm eager to try a surface in my lap to see how it feels, which I wasn't able to do at the Microsoft store. I do a lot of lap work; coding, writing papers), so this very important to me.
I've been spoiled by the iPad 3 in terms of resolution, especially when reading in bed where the tablet is about 10" away from my face. The pro is decent, but I think I could still see the pixels in bed; that would affect what device I choose to use there.
I agree that the digitizer is the best thing about the device, that alone could sell it for key niche uses (taking notes, sketching).
Re: Surface with Windows 8 Pro – Pricing
#96Do we know how thickness will compare to the RT? From the photos, this looks kind of thick.
Microsoft says:
Surface Pro:
10.81 x 6.81 x 0.53in
2lbs
Surface RT:
10.81 x 6.77 x 0.37in
1.5lbs
http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-US/surface-with-windows-...
Re: Surface with Windows 8 Pro – Pricing
#97Earlier quoted context omitted.
Disclosure: Microsoft employee. I'm also a photographer in my spare time, and I'm looking forward to this device, in part because a friend of mine is an artist and she wanted me to evaluate it when it comes out to see if it's worth the money to her. The digitizer is definitely the biggest thing I want to test on the device. I'm hoping that the pen has pressure sensitivity, at least; and I'm hoping that it turns the s…
I'm eager to try a surface in my lap to see how it feels, which I wasn't able to do at the Microsoft store. I do a lot of lap work; coding, writing papers), so this very important to me. I've been spoiled by the iPad 3 in terms of resolution, especially when reading in bed where the tablet is about 10" away from my face. The pro is decent, but I think I could still see the pixels in bed; that would affect what device…
Hm ... I haven't done too too much reading in my bed. I do notice that setting up ClearType the way you like it seems to make reading text better. That said, when I was reading Lovecraft in one of the epub readers, I forget which one, the text was nice to read in 2-column horizontally and 1-column format vertically. I honestly haven't had much time in front of > 300ppi displays at close range and with text ( I tend to like things a bit farther away from me than close, so the screen would still probably be 15 or so inches away), so perhaps my experience hasn't been adequately adjusted yet.
Oh, and of course, as a touch-typist and a fast typist, I recommend the type cover for using on your lap. Both keyboards are stiff, but I imagine the feedback of pressing a key will make it easier to work with on your lap.
Re: Surface with Windows 8 Pro – Pricing
#98Everyone seems really blown away by the pricing and I'm not sure why. This isn't an iPad, it houses a fully functional operating system that lets you run existing Windows 7 desktop applications. In a use-case scenario I see it being more similar to a laptop than to the iPad. If I can run Visual Studio on it and it handles all my existing Windows 7 applications correctly, I'd consider purchasing it. I don't look at it…
Everyone's blown away because they priced themselves out of their target market. Whether they agree or not, this is going to be compared to the other tablets (i.e., the iPad) out there, and for the base models, the cost is almost double. For a company attempting to play catch-up, their giving themselves such a tremendous handicap is pretty unexpected.
The 64GB iPad is $699 vs. $899 for the Surface Pro. That's not double. I'd say that's entirely in the same market. In my opinion the Surface Pro is better value since it is a full PC.
Re: Surface with Windows 8 Pro – Pricing
#99Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think a better question might be "Why buy a tablet that is also a laptop when laptops that are also tablets have been around for years?" Asus has touchscreen laptops for less than half of the price, and convertible laptops have been around for at least a decade.
Try using a Surface - it really is nothing like the old tablets of yesteryears. Convertible laptops were 5lb monstrosities that were nearly impossible to hand hold, emitted tremendous amounts of heat, had incredibly poor battery life, and infamous reliability issues that came from a mechanically complex transformation mechanism. They also used resistive touch screens that were easy to damage, required frequent recali…
I guess I should state that I plan on buying a Surface when it comes out (not RT). I'm pointing out more from the business standpoint that people are going to be comparing these devices to other devices that look the same, not other devices that are equally as powerful or as well-made.
MS is going to have to work really hard to convince people that the surface is worth $900, at least in my opinion.
Re: Surface with Windows 8 Pro – Pricing
#100Classic Microsoft rear-guard move to protect margins for Intel and their hardware chain (and consequently trying to prop up their desktop OS appeal as well) by trying to "tablet-ify" their existing offerings. Expect a bunch of Surface clones (MS approved) to hit the market soon afterwards. This strategy won't work. Many folks who would buy a Win8 Pro surface are likely going to just buy an ultrabook or netbook + iPad…
>however a Asus Transformer did Surface before Microsoft did Can the Asus Transformer run Eclipse? If not, can it or will it, anytime soon?
No, but it can run AIDE:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aide.ui...