Mockingbird Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Every one so often reading the comments here and on other sites, I hear a lot of yearning for the "Surface Mini". Well, I am here to tell your that Microsoft likely won't ever release one. The Surface tablets are generally known for being well build productivity devices. The Surface Pro 3 is "the tablet then can replace your laptop". And while the Surface 3 isn't the tablet that can replace your laptop, they still possess very much the quality of being productivity devices. It would be hard to position the Surface Mini as productivity devices: the device is simply too small to be fitted with a keyboard and a touchpad. The cancelled Surface Mini has a cover that's just the front cover and not a Type Cover. Let's move on. If you have been paying attention, you would have noticed that we have recently been inundated with exceedingly cheap Windows tablets, some selling for sub-$100 USD. Sure, Microsoft might be able to pare down the specs enough to get the "Suface Mini" to be $399 with the Surface Pen included. Like other Surfaces, the Suface Mini would have the premium finish with Magnesium alloy and kickstand, high quality display, responsive touch screen and digitizer. The problem is that I don't see much demand for such devices: there simply isn't too many people looking for premium Windows mini tablets. To compound the problem, with its small size and without the Type Cover, the Surface Mini wouldn't be good productivity devices either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian S. Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 I think they should, but under the Lumia line maybe a Lumia Mini? Designed for content consumption with support for the Surface Pen if you want to jot down quick notes (maybe add a sticky notes feature to onenote) or a quick sketch. It would have a kickstand, and be made out of high quality magnesium, but it would have color options (like the Surface 3 pen) and have cameras. If they do release an update to the 2520, Lumia M Tablet (https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=ef54922834449cff&id=EF54922834449CFF%2161772&sff=1&v=3), I would assume that one not to be made out of aluminium, be the size of a Surface 3 (maybe 16:9), but be in the same price range. No kickstand. Then they could have a 16:9 Lumia Mini Tablet made out of plastic for kids that play games or watch movies on that device. No kickstand as well, running Windows 10 for phones and small tablets. Like a Lumia Tablet C or something. So for me a mini device would fit in with their strategy, just not in the Surface line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mockingbird Posted May 8, 2015 Author Share Posted May 8, 2015 I think they should, but under the Lumia line maybe a Lumia Mini? Designed for content consumption with support for the Surface Pen if you want to jot down quick notes (maybe add a sticky notes feature to onenote) or a quick sketch. It would have a kickstand, and be made out of high quality magnesium, but it would have color options (like the Surface 3 pen) and have cameras. If they do release an update to the 2520, Lumia M Tablet (https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=ef54922834449cff&id=EF54922834449CFF%2161772&sff=1&v=3), I would assume that one not to be made out of aluminium, be the size of a Surface 3 (maybe 16:9), but be in the same price range. No kickstand. Then they could have a 16:9 Lumia Mini Tablet made out of plastic for kids that play games or watch movies on that device. No kickstand as well, running Windows 10 for phones and small tablets. Like a Lumia Tablet C or something. So for me a mini device would fit in with their strategy, just not in the Surface line. There're already the Asus VivoTab Note 8 and the Toshiba Encore 2 Write. I am not sure what the "Lumia Note" (or whatever they would be called) bring to the table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian S. Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 There're already the Asus VivoTab Note 8 and the Toshiba Encore 2 Write. I am not sure what the "Lumia Note" (or whatever they would be called) bring to the table. That being said, are any of those two of high quality design? Not really. Remember Surface and Lumia are the pinnacle of device design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mockingbird Posted May 8, 2015 Author Share Posted May 8, 2015 That being said, are any of those two of high quality design? Not really. Remember Surface and Lumia are the pinnacle of device design. I doubt that there's much demand for premium Windows mini tablets. Most people looking at Windows mini tablets are looking for cheap Windows tablets. Also, I disagree about the Lumia. Lately, the name just means low end phones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
President Devil Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 I think they should release a dock for a small tablet or a smartphone under their Xbox controllers as a second screen companion to their Xbox consoles/Windows PCs. Kind of replacing what used to be the Messenger keypad on the Xbox 360 but with a lot more functionality like SmartGlass, game streaming, etc. That would justify a Surface Mini/ Xbox Phone or whatever they would call it IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Intersect Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Every one so often reading the comments here and on other sites, I hear a lot of yearning for the "Surface Mini". Well, I am here to tell your that Microsoft likely won't ever release one. The Surface tablets are generally known for being well build productivity devices. The Surface Pro 3 is "the tablet then can replace your laptop". And while the Surface 3 isn't the tablet that can replace your laptop, they still possess very much the quality of being productivity devices. It would be hard to position the Surface Mini as productivity devices: the device is simply too small to be fitted with a keyboard and a touchpad. The cancelled Surface Mini has a cover that's just the front cover and not a Type Cover. Let's move on. If you have been paying attention, you would have noticed that we have recently been inundated with exceedingly cheap Windows tablets, some selling for sub-$100 USD. Sure, Microsoft might be able to pare down the specs enough to get the "Suface Mini" to be $399 with the Surface Pen included. Like other Surfaces, the Suface Mini would have the premium finish with Magnesium alloy and kickstand, high quality display, responsive touch screen and digitizer. The problem is that I don't see much demand for such devices: there simply isn't too many people looking for premium Windows mini tablets. To compound the problem, with its small size and without the Type Cover, the Surface Mini wouldn't be good productivity devices either. is that not the point of a "mini" surface to not be a "productivity" device? President Devil 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
President Devil Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 I agree, targetted as a comsumption device, it would make more sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torolol Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 surface mini with slimmed down/removed features that aren't need for content consumption purposes. need productivity? buy the larger one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mockingbird Posted May 8, 2015 Author Share Posted May 8, 2015 I agree, targetted as a comsumption device, it would make more sense. And that's just the problem: the Surface are by general perception productivity devices. The Surface Mini would be hard to sell as merely consumption devices. surface mini with slimmed down/removed features that aren't need for content consumption purposes. need productivity? buy the larger one. See above. is that not the point of a "mini" surface to not be a "productivity" device? See above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
President Devil Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 And that's just the problem: the Surface are by general perception productivity devices. The Surface Mini would be hard to sell as merely consumption devices. See above. I know, that's why I said i would like to see it as a companion device to the (Xbox) gaming ecosystem and I wouldn't call it Surface either. I think that's the only way to justify making one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Montage Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Well, I am here to tell your that Microsoft likely won't ever release one. Oh, that's why you're here? FiB3R and +E.Worm Jimmy 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenwizard88 Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 That doesn't stop me from wanting a large phablet sized device, but without the phone part. And I'd pay the extra for a premium, as opposed to the HP Stream 7 that's exactly what I want, but looks terrible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Warwagon MVC Posted May 8, 2015 MVC Share Posted May 8, 2015 I just want a 4:3 windows tablet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
President Devil Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 I just want a 4:3 windows tablet. Why not just go with a SP3 with 3:2? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neufuse Veteran Posted May 8, 2015 Veteran Share Posted May 8, 2015 I just want a 4:3 windows tablet. Why 4:3? That aspect ratio seems cumbersome and with most content being produced for 16:9 or 16:10 now days... guess you can thank apple for this since they basically pushed display makers into 4:3 for that size Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Warwagon MVC Posted May 8, 2015 MVC Share Posted May 8, 2015 Why 4:3? That aspect ratio seems cumbersome and with most content being produced for 16:9 or 16:10 now days... guess you can thank apple for this since they basically pushed display makers into 4:3 for that size Out of all the tablets i've owned.... they include iPad 2 HP Stream 7 Windows tablet Acer Windows tablet Nexus 7 HP TouchPad Out of all of those the iPad is still my favorite aspect ratio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PGHammer Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 I think they should, but under the Lumia line maybe a Lumia Mini? Designed for content consumption with support for the Surface Pen if you want to jot down quick notes (maybe add a sticky notes feature to onenote) or a quick sketch. It would have a kickstand, and be made out of high quality magnesium, but it would have color options (like the Surface 3 pen) and have cameras. If they do release an update to the 2520, Lumia M Tablet (https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=ef54922834449cff&id=EF54922834449CFF%2161772&sff=1&v=3), I would assume that one not to be made out of aluminium, be the size of a Surface 3 (maybe 16:9), but be in the same price range. No kickstand. Then they could have a 16:9 Lumia Mini Tablet made out of plastic for kids that play games or watch movies on that device. No kickstand as well, running Windows 10 for phones and small tablets. Like a Lumia Tablet C or something. So for me a mini device would fit in with their strategy, just not in the Surface line. Agreed - it should be a Lumia; not a Surface. While it could (and likely should) have flagship-type features from the Surface line, the Lumia "brand" makes better sense for a device smaller than the Surface 3 Dropping the kickstand ALSO makes more sense on a device this small, along with adding a rear camera (and keeping the front camera) - these two additions alone would set the Lumia apart from Surface, while cementing that the Lumia and Surface ARE from the same company. Another possible option - adding Bluetooth connectivity for external accessories that already exist for tablets, phablets, and smartphones (such as the external keyboards popular with such devices already). If done correctly, you could drop the type cover/touch cover - which are way too large for a device this small. The one change I would NOT make, however, is to use Windows 10 for phones. Instead, it should be the small-device version of full Windows 10. A Surface-derived Lumia would decidedly shake things up in the small-device space (how many high-quality small devices in this space are running a flagship multifunction OS?) - it would also separate Lumia from all the other tablet brands. (True - it would set off alarms at Dell, Lenovo, and HP - and other PC companies in this space - however, that's the entire idea; it would make clear that Microsoft as a whole - not JUST Surface - is a flagship-hardware company from end to end.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PGHammer Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Why 4:3? That aspect ratio seems cumbersome and with most content being produced for 16:9 or 16:10 now days... guess you can thank apple for this since they basically pushed display makers into 4:3 for that size You mean OUT of 4:3. Name a 4:3 aspect-ratio device (or display) that Apple has made since the first iPads. Even in terms of PCs, you only see 4:3 in the replacement space - and it's uncommon even there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neufuse Veteran Posted May 8, 2015 Veteran Share Posted May 8, 2015 You mean OUT of 4:3. Name a 4:3 aspect-ratio device (or display) that Apple has made since the first iPads. Even in terms of PCs, you only see 4:3 in the replacement space - and it's uncommon even there. I thought all the large iPads where 4:3? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.thumb.gif.27e171f017b63bad53164e64f4f61b6f.gif)
Recommended Posts