115 replies to this topic 6 votes

[Simon-]

It's just one of the first Windows RT tablets, the first of many, from many different companies. I don't see anything special that differentiates it from the Windows RT tablets that other OEMs will product.

When it is compared to the iPad, there is such a fuss that it has a "keyboard" integrated into it's case. Well guess what, just look online and you will find millions of different keyboard cases for iPad and Android. There is nothing special going on here.

It seems that Microsoft have attached a lot of hype to a product they have been working on called "Surface", which the name over to this (which is not the same "Surface" product they have been hyping) and then the tech sites seem to be getting their panties in a bunch over it when really it is just another product that isn't more special than anything else. If this was the real "Microsoft Surface" they have been working on for years that may be different, but this is just another tablet.

[RichardK]

It's what Windows 8/Windows RT (and the whole Metro UI) was developed for. It's the other piece of the puzzle.

[sanctified]

Consider this. Yes, in the grand scheme of tablets is just another player in the game. However in the specific panorama for Windows 8/RT tablets it establish an important precedent for all the W8 tablets to come: The built construction is amazing (the thing is a tank) and the included accessories are quite handy.

If other companies want to compete with this they should make something similar or better while maintaining competitive prices.

Why do you think no Android tablet is close, in terms of physical design and sturdiness, to this or the iPad? Because there was never a high standard as a precedent. People never saw better (strictly speaking about Android) so they never demanded better.

[mattmatik]

I don't know, depends on how you look at things. Would it fit into my lifestyle/needs? No, as I am dug into the Apple ecosystem and have my iPad for my tablet needs. But as a tech head and someone who likes to see progression, I think Surface is great for what it is. Now, I haven't played with Windows 8 yet (I have 8 days off coming up and will give it a go) and the OS on these types of devices will make or break the hardware, in my opinion; moreso than desktops and even laptops.

I still feel like Microsoft is a reactionary company when it comes to mobile devices (Zune, tablet, phone) and it would be nice to see them take bigger risks...but that just isn't in the makeup of the company.

[rfirth]

mattmatik, on 23 June 2012 - 06:19, said:

I still feel like Microsoft is a reactionary company when it comes to mobile devices (Zune, tablet, phone) and it would be nice to see them take bigger risks...but that just isn't in the makeup of the company.

You like to see them take BIGGER risks? How could they possibly take a bigger risk than they are now? There is nothing conservative about their current work.

[OrangesOfCourse]

Simon-, on 23 June 2012 - 05:58, said:

It's just one of the first Windows RT tablets, the first of many, from many different companies. I don't see anything special that differentiates it from the Windows RT tablets that other OEMs will product.

Microsoft is setting the tone for all other OEM's by making their own "flagship" Windows 8 tablet. I'll be interested to see how all the OEM's respond to this.

Quote

When it is compared to the iPad, there is such a fuss that it has a "keyboard" integrated into it's case. Well guess what, just look online and you will find millions of different keyboard cases for iPad and Android. There is nothing special going on here.

All the keyboards that I've seen for the iPad are big and bulky. As far as I have seen there isn't a 3mm thin keyboard case for the iPad. What's the point of having a thin tablet when I have to carry a bulky keyboard?

Quote

It seems that Microsoft have attached a lot of hype to a product they have been working on called "Surface", which the name over to this (which is not the same "Surface" product they have been hyping) and then the tech sites seem to be getting their panties in a bunch over it when really it is just another product that isn't more special than anything else. If this was the real "Microsoft Surface" they have been working on for years that may be different, but this is just another tablet.

Pixelsense (née Surface) was a commerical tabletop touch device that was never marketed to the consumer market. I keep seeing people commenting on how everyone will be confused by the two products but anyone who doesn't keep up with tech news will not have heard of Pixelsense.

Surface is not just another tablet, it's Microsoft's vision of Windows 8 on a tablet device. They have bet the bank (Windows) on Metro in Windows 8 and they are not gonna take any chances.

[sanctified]

rfirth, on 23 June 2012 - 06:24, said:

You like to see them take BIGGER risks? How could they possibly take a bigger risk than they are now? There is nothing conservative about the new Microsoft.

Somehow I dont think this is that big of a risk.

First of all they are not betting all their chips on one hand. Also they know better than anyone the underlying ecosystem, who better than them to set the hardware standard for it?

If anything this is a very well prepared and calculated move.

[mattmatik]

rfirth, on 23 June 2012 - 06:24, said:

You like to see them take BIGGER risks? How could they possibly take a bigger risk than they are now? There is nothing conservative about their current work.

I never said they were conservative?

And I don't think Metro is that big of a deal. Its a new, apparently efficient way to launch apps. But there still is a desktop, there still is a filesystem, we still will be fiddling with drivers, etc.

[sundayx]

I don't see other tablets out there running Ivy Bridge and a full fledge OS. That's whats interesting for me, and the keyboard case is a plus.

[Paul Paliath]

Simon-, on 23 June 2012 - 05:58, said:

It's just one of the first Windows RT tablets, the first of many, from many different companies. I don't see anything special that differentiates it from the Windows RT tablets that other OEMs will product.

When it is compared to the iPad, there is such a fuss that it has a "keyboard" integrated into it's case. Well guess what, just look online and you will find millions of different keyboard cases for iPad and Android. There is nothing special going on here.

It seems that Microsoft have attached a lot of hype to a product they have been working on called "Surface", which the name over to this (which is not the same "Surface" product they have been hyping) and then the tech sites seem to be getting their panties in a bunch over it when really it is just another product that isn't more special than anything else. If this was the real "Microsoft Surface" they have been working on for years that may be different, but this is just another tablet.

A pretty big differentiator is that every OEM makes ****ty hardware.

[+Vice]

Although I think it's neat I think I'd rather have a Retina MacBook Pro than the Surface Tablet. I think I'd be more productive with a real notebook than a tablet with a keyboard attachment.

I'm actually starting to think (and keep in mind I own an iPad) that this finger touch stuff might just be good for smart phones and may not do so well in Notebooks, Desktops and Tablet form factors for getting actual work done. I don't know about you guys but I find typing on a touch screen cumbersome and annoying. It's much slower and when you type on the screen you lose a lot of your application to the keyboard which in my opinion makes me less productive. I love my iPad for consumption (Browsing Web, Email, Games, Videos etc) but for actually using it for anything where I'm creating content or editing content even something as simple as writing a reply on Neowin is annoying.

I know that Microsoft feels they have fixed this by providing a snap on keyboard but all it has really done is taken the fat base of a laptop and put it behind a screen and then taken the thin screen of a laptop and put a keyboard there.

To illustrate:



I did think it was quite neat when I first saw it but after thinking about my usage scenarios I don't think it would benefit me at all. I could take the money I'd spend on one of these (which Microsoft says is going to be completive with Ultrabooks not iPads) and buy well.. an ultrabook.

[xankazo]

And for me this is the first tablet that really interests me.

[OrangesOfCourse]

mattmatik, on 23 June 2012 - 06:19, said:

I don't know, depends on how you look at things. Would it fit into my lifestyle/needs? No, as I am dug into the Apple ecosystem and have my iPad for my tablet needs.

Just wondering... How much money have you spent into the Apple ecosystem? At what point would you be willing to switch?

Quote

I still feel like Microsoft is a reactionary company when it comes to mobile devices (Zune, tablet, phone) and it would be nice to see them take bigger risks...but that just isn't in the makeup of the company.

I think that Microsoft has taken one of the biggest risks in the company's history with Metro. They are betting everything on it: Windows, Office, Windows Phone, Xbox and their cloud services.

[psreloaded]

Well, because - comparing with surface pro...

1. Most other tablets have ****ty build quality.
2. Most are underpowered (even iPad considering this one has a ivy bridge processor)
3. Most of the keypads available are not 3mm thin and are bulky.
4. Most do not have USB ports. The pro version has USB 3. This is a big advantage.
5. This has a full fledged Windows 8 pro OS loaded. Can do almost anything that can be dne on a desktop.
6. Working would be a lot easier considering the keypad. Typing on touch screen is horrible compared to a keyboard.

[|Rapture|]

The prospect of Microsoft having a go at the closed platform market is more interesting (and potentially worrying) to me than this one product.