I am wondering about what I can do with those tablets.
Will they replace my PC and MS-Office activities (document, presentation, ..., editing and mail ?
I just bought a Galaxy Note and haven't yet found out about handling my keyboardS (spell checking and the lot).
IPhone was coherent, at least. But still positioning the cursor was not easy.
Do we need a new GUI paradigm ?
Cheers
ren??
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If you might not be right, maybe it IS time for the interface and GUI for the masses to be overhauled. I can't tell you how many complaints I get from uers complaining about their tablets, laptops, iThis Apple That. I think maybe there should be some form of customization permitted with these newere OS'es that would allow people to literally "build" it and make it their own. But then when I think about it,...it might not be such a good idea, only because I can see the issues that would result from that. Users who're looking for their old icons, shortcuts, etc. And others would ignore crucial updates and then when something goes wrong, well......like I said....maybe it's NOT a good idea after all!
"The new tablets feature 10.6??? ClearType HD displays, VaporMg (pronounced Vapor-Mag) magnesium cases, microSD card slots, full-size USB ports, MIMO networking antennae, built-in kickstands, and detachable covers that double as a keyboard."
I'm liking it already.
I'm liking it already.
I don't see many people leaping to MS from Android or Apple to save ten dollars. That is where the new market is. Without tight integration with MS back ends (full Outlook for tablet anyone?) I don't see companies buying truckloads for their workers either.
Especially since if I had one, I'd make it duel boot with Windows 7, so it would be capable of doing serious work when needed too, and boot to Windows 8 (maybe even RT version) for those light uses like GPS or just looking up a companies address or phone number on google.
Packing in too much flash memory will unnecessarily inflate the price when the standard config is enough for most users...especially the RT version.
A drive that you switch on and off when you need more storage space, and swap things out from the flash drive.
Because the Windows 8 desktop isn't serious? Or do you feel the need to boot into 7 so you can spend that full 30 seconds in the traditional start menu out of the hours you'll spend actually working?
Id rather duel boot with Windows 8 RT, for those quick need tasks, and Windows 7 when I need to do serious work.
Do I need my start menu? No, but I do need my mdac, my custom shell extensions, I do need XP mode.
Do I need my start menu? No, but I do need my mdac, my custom shell extensions, I do need XP mode.
Windows 8 RT requires different hardware (ARM) than Windows 7 (Intel/AMD only), not to mention that the RT will require a rewrite of existing software. Your best option would be to go with the Surface Pro or another Intel based tablet and slowly migrate. I've run all "preview" versions of Win 8 and have yet to find a program that won't run.
You might have to learn a new control set, or with very little effort recreate the win7 desktop, but it all should work, and in my experience, including some gaming, Win8 is slightly faster on the same hardware (I have a Win7 and a Win8 partition on my drive, dual boot.)
You might have to learn a new control set, or with very little effort recreate the win7 desktop, but it all should work, and in my experience, including some gaming, Win8 is slightly faster on the same hardware (I have a Win7 and a Win8 partition on my drive, dual boot.)
Price was one of the major factors that killed earlier Windows tablets (along with size and the desktop OS). The size and weight are perfect. In my opinion, the OS is top notch. RT just needs to come in at $400-$500 in order for it to make a splash.
These tablets are exactly what I've been waiting for. Unlike most reviewers, I don't think that battery life or price point matter as these devices are in a category all their own. Tablets and Pads are consumption devices first, and are poor at content creation beyond email. Surface is a full OS with the ability to consume and create content with all the features one expects in a laptop. I'm happy the pricing is as competitive as it appears it will be, as I'd have happily paid more to get more.
Furthermore, I think Microsoft is smart not to release the hardware specs too early since the real story is how well Win8 will run on whatever hardware they do build into it. Performance, not specs, is what matters most.
Furthermore, I think Microsoft is smart not to release the hardware specs too early since the real story is how well Win8 will run on whatever hardware they do build into it. Performance, not specs, is what matters most.
Like what I am seeing. I have an aging UL that I want to replace for work. The question is will RT be enough.... Likely not as all of my work software is designed for 86.... My biggest question is form. Will I like the new cover / stand or prefer the Transformer style ( you know ASUS will make a Win8 version). It has SD that will allow me to add up to 128gb of storage - very nice.
From a personal machine perspective, will I replace or need the RT version? Initially I will say yes as I have become quite fond of the tablet for a lot of smaller consumptive or productive chores. Could see doing my xbox stuff on the RT. will it replace my iPad or Transformer? There is a very good chance that it will replace at least one of them.
As for timing, I think this is a great point. It places the OEMs on notice that this is the preferred design direction and gives them time to bring out their own version for the holiday season. I suspect we will see a plethora of form factors. Between these and the announced UBs, the will be a lot of choice for consumers.
Looking forward to this.
From a personal machine perspective, will I replace or need the RT version? Initially I will say yes as I have become quite fond of the tablet for a lot of smaller consumptive or productive chores. Could see doing my xbox stuff on the RT. will it replace my iPad or Transformer? There is a very good chance that it will replace at least one of them.
As for timing, I think this is a great point. It places the OEMs on notice that this is the preferred design direction and gives them time to bring out their own version for the holiday season. I suspect we will see a plethora of form factors. Between these and the announced UBs, the will be a lot of choice for consumers.
Looking forward to this.
It so refreshingly nice to see an article that has real facts and then a clear comment, without being prejudiced. Thanks Bill for giving us the facts without me having to to sit through a Microsoft press announcement ! Keep em coming.
At long last. Price does not matter. What matters is the value that it will bring to my business. The Surf will not be a passing fad. It is set to be a knockout for Corporations and Enterprise-wide applications. At the same time I believe my grown children who are at Uni will also love the Surf because they can actually do their IT projects on it and also probably play their music and watch movies as well. At least now Ballmer can have something good to tell his grand-children. I can afford to wait for another 10+ months to get my hands on it. Congratulations MS.
What I don't hear about is apps. The reason the iPad is destroying Android tablets is "It's the Apps".
This is just a dream until the price and specs come out. Blackberry did the same thing and look how well that went. How can IT people make decision on equipment that is not even out yet. Your poll results are completely irrelevant until we have a chance to make sure it actually works.
This is just a dream until the price and specs come out. Blackberry did the same thing and look how well that went. How can IT people make decision on equipment that is not even out yet. Your poll results are completely irrelevant until we have a chance to make sure it actually works.
In Bill Detweiler's article, look at the picture. http://i.techrepublic.com.com/blogs/surface_exploded_01.jpg
This is a joke. "VaporMG (tm) Case" and the picture is titled "Surface Exploded."
Give me a break, get some real news.
This is a joke. "VaporMG (tm) Case" and the picture is titled "Surface Exploded."
Give me a break, get some real news.
Vapor (MG) TM Case... ware.
This is a joke, people. VAPORWARE, get it? It is not, and will not, be produced.
This is a joke, people. VAPORWARE, get it? It is not, and will not, be produced.
I had the opportunity to try a Dell streak with Windows 8 (beta), which was a positive experience. Microsofts announcement can only be a good thing.
A tablet would suit our users, but all that is holding back on taking that forward with iPads is the lack of a competent app to open Microsoft Project files.
A competent and functional windows tablet would be the answer to my needs and I await the arrival of these tablets with eager anticipation.
A tablet would suit our users, but all that is holding back on taking that forward with iPads is the lack of a competent app to open Microsoft Project files.
A competent and functional windows tablet would be the answer to my needs and I await the arrival of these tablets with eager anticipation.
The Microsoft reputation matters most. Will this Surface be abandoned in 6 months?
The WinRT version looks useless to me as off now. When there are plenty of apps in the store, it may have some value, but still I do not see how it can be better than iPad or Android, depending on what kind of a person you are. An it is evidently unnecessary if one has a Pro version. How come it is released first? Just to be sure everybody knows that Surface is a failure when the Pro version is released.
The Pro version may be my next machine. I do not need it right now, at lest not that much to pay the price. I have a desktop at home, a desktop at the office, and a sub $100 gadget to listen and read apart from the desks. But at the next upgrade point I may choose to go Surface and it will not matter much if the price is somewhat higher than that of an ultrabook. With ultrabook I still cannot do tablet stuff, with Surface I can do everything.
There may be show stoppers though: repair, upgrade, and battery replacement.
The WinRT version looks useless to me as off now. When there are plenty of apps in the store, it may have some value, but still I do not see how it can be better than iPad or Android, depending on what kind of a person you are. An it is evidently unnecessary if one has a Pro version. How come it is released first? Just to be sure everybody knows that Surface is a failure when the Pro version is released.
The Pro version may be my next machine. I do not need it right now, at lest not that much to pay the price. I have a desktop at home, a desktop at the office, and a sub $100 gadget to listen and read apart from the desks. But at the next upgrade point I may choose to go Surface and it will not matter much if the price is somewhat higher than that of an ultrabook. With ultrabook I still cannot do tablet stuff, with Surface I can do everything.
There may be show stoppers though: repair, upgrade, and battery replacement.
If they want to seriously compete, they need to realize that many people already have some kind of tablet. Those who don't are either waiting on MS or don't wish to spend the money.
MS would benefit to eat a little (or maybe a lot) of profit and make these devices very appealing price-wise. This would entice those who already have tablets into getting yet another, as well those who may otherwise not want to spend the money.
Basically, if they make Surface with an extremely appealing price, they could quickly get many hands on it to: 1) get a ton of feedback--which leads to better products and more customers 2) get a good market foothold. "But MS needs to make money back on the hardware!" No, not particularly. They don't need to take a lose necessarily, but they do need to get it out there and in many hands. Money will flow from other sources (i.e.: app store) and will be plentiful, once the user base hits a critical mass. Just ask Apple and Nintendo.
The main rub I can see to the above argument is that the "Pro" may not have so many app store purchases, due to it taking standard software. However, I'm sure MS and partners can think of other ways to find revenue (hopefully without making the Surface too costly.) I'm not in a company large enough to consider getting a fleet of tablets, but I can't see why someone would necessarily get a $1200 to $1500 tablet (or even ultrabook) to run desktop software when a small laptop does well for 3/4 the price or less. This does not consider the potential to use the touch screen for desktop software, because I don't know how well MS has implemented touch capabilities for non-metro applications (if at all)--or even if they did, how productive such a capability would really be (in other words, is a mouse still better off?)
MS would benefit to eat a little (or maybe a lot) of profit and make these devices very appealing price-wise. This would entice those who already have tablets into getting yet another, as well those who may otherwise not want to spend the money.
Basically, if they make Surface with an extremely appealing price, they could quickly get many hands on it to: 1) get a ton of feedback--which leads to better products and more customers 2) get a good market foothold. "But MS needs to make money back on the hardware!" No, not particularly. They don't need to take a lose necessarily, but they do need to get it out there and in many hands. Money will flow from other sources (i.e.: app store) and will be plentiful, once the user base hits a critical mass. Just ask Apple and Nintendo.
The main rub I can see to the above argument is that the "Pro" may not have so many app store purchases, due to it taking standard software. However, I'm sure MS and partners can think of other ways to find revenue (hopefully without making the Surface too costly.) I'm not in a company large enough to consider getting a fleet of tablets, but I can't see why someone would necessarily get a $1200 to $1500 tablet (or even ultrabook) to run desktop software when a small laptop does well for 3/4 the price or less. This does not consider the potential to use the touch screen for desktop software, because I don't know how well MS has implemented touch capabilities for non-metro applications (if at all)--or even if they did, how productive such a capability would really be (in other words, is a mouse still better off?)
Complainer. Not surprised about the "unanswered" questions. Won't be out still for about 3-4 months. You think apple announces anything before some big hoopla show? Why do you think there is so much Apple hype for every gadget to come out. Even before the release, they are geuessing everything from the type of screen, to the case, to the charging, to the name [reminder: latest iPad was rumoured to be iPad 3 and iPad HD - among others].
Another lame article.
Another lame article.
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