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Poll: Would you buy your next tablet from Microsoft?

Are you more likely to buy your tablet hardware from Microsoft now that the company has jumped in with both feet? Do you have relationships with Dell or HP? Will those relationships be reconsidered now?

The WinRT tablet is a non-starter here. Likely the same reason as quite a few other corporate sites -- we already support iWhatevers that don't play well with Active Directory, we don't need another device that will not play well with AD and will also have users going "why can't I run whatever on it? It's Windows after all.".

The Pro devices will live or die here based on their price, battery life and startup speed. Most of our tablet users need at least 8 hours of battery life with instant on taking the second spot on their list of desirable features. For the beancounters, price is likely to be the deal breaker. Unless they are competitive on price with tablets from other suppliers, it's going to be a hard sell.

Kick the OEM in the pants.

Reports have flown for years that MS has told them to make smaller product lines addressing consumer needs. They balked.

MS knows the cash cow lives on for them only if distribution remains high. They are now addressing that.

Honestly, what could OEM's do? Switch to Apple? Android? Their form factors still mostly suck.

This is the alarm clock ringing!

Probably. Unless an OEM comes out with something even better. Either way, I'm 90% sure my next tablet will be running Windows.

I'm seeing some gloomy predictions of failure because the display resolution is less than Retina or because "Apple already owns the market." The doomsayers are ignoring the very real advantages the Surface offers. The full size USB port (3.0 on the Pro model) and microSD slot are worth the price of admission all by themselves. A real keyboard that integrates with the device yet stays out of the way when you don't need it is a huge plus for those who actually want to be able to switch between serious work and the fun stuff.

There is an iPad about 20 feet away from me, and it came with a third party keyboard/cover. There seem to be two flavours, bluetooth and the kind that plug into the iPad data port. They do seem to work well.

I do think that the USB and microSD ports are worthwhile. I know you can get the camera kit for the iPad which will get you both a USB port (which works with most but not all USB devices) and a SD support, but it would be better to get it in the device itself(I hate hunting for cables or forgetting them on trips).

Those "on the device" addons are worth the price of admission. I don't want to take the unnecessary bluetooth and camera kit steps. I want a keyboard that is "just there" when I need it and when I don't need it, the keyboard gets the heck out of the way.

You can get third party keyboards that plug into the iPad that use the Apple data port, and are part of a case. that folds away. The camera kit helps if you have existing USB devices you want to use.

But that isn't the only reason I don't go with apple and android tablets and phones. The main reason I don't is because they're too busy. The android "home" screen or app screen looks better than apple's, but it's still busy. Apps are all over the place like shortcuts all over a desktop. I don't like it. I like a clean desktop/screen. I know you can organize your apps into different shortcuts, e.g. I've serviced an iPad that had one shortcut labeled "road apps" which contained a GPS, restaurant finder, etc., but there were shortcuts all over his 3 screens of apps. It was messy. I service iPads and iPhones at work and each one is messy. I don't like it. My mango phone isn't like that. Metro is organized and has a certain fluidity to it. It's not messy looking.

Does the messiness make the iStuff poor in functionality? Not at all. That's not what I want to say. Instead, what I want to say, is that the messy UI makes for an uncomfortable "feel" for me as a user. It's not my preference. If Apple changed the UI then I might would buy one.

At least now if I'm ever at employed by someone who gives me an iPad for work I know I can get a decent keyboard for it.

I have a full usb, micro usb, microSD slot, and an HDMI port on my Android tablet. So that stuff is already out there if you aren't into apple.

The only advantage Surface and the TouchCover have at this point is a certain cool factor.

For me a lot will depend on how big those keys are. I was looking seriously at an Asus Transformer, but the keyboard is just too small for my big hangs. The keyboard case for the Acer Iconia W500 is big enough, but that whole arrangement is heavier and bit clunky.

I am imprssed with MicroSofts offering but I will wait until I see what the rest of the Windows 8 tablet and Ultra-Book partners bring to market before deciding. I prefer a larger screen than the iPad or most Android tablets, I am hoping to find just the right device that I can use as a laptop or a touch screen tablet.

If I go with a Windows 8 tablet I will also go with a WP8 so that my documents are all within the same eco-system/Cloud.

If it performs and the battery is good enough I think they???ve got a winner (the Pro version), given that Windows still owns the corporate world and it???ll be able to integrate with Active Directory. If not, then people will still have to purchase laptops and the response to Metro hasn???t been great for non-touch interfaces.
For me the key issues will be:
- Speed
- Battery life
- Price
- And it absolutely must be instant-on/off and not need regular reboots

However the RT version looks like it will be competing directly with the iPad for consumers. As a user of both a Windows laptop (work) and iPad (home) will I recommend friends and family get a Surface with RT for personal use? Unlikely unless they absolutely need Windows applications and can live with the small screen. Otherwise I think Windows is just too bogged down with years of poor user perception which has been blown by the iPad. Most people I know are totally sick of the pathetic performance of their home laptops which grind to a halt after a few months of light use, and everyone I know who???s switched to the iPad (or even Android tabs tbh) will not want to go back to Windows. Also I reckon Apple have enough margin to drop the price of the iPad 3/4 and thus destroy Microsoft on price, they've already started this by dropping the iPad2 price by about 25% thus making most consumer laptops a waste of money.

In summary I predict Pro will be a hit (but only if performance is good enough - a very big if) and RT will be a FAIL (because Windows has lost credibility and consumers will consider Apple to be sexier and cheaper). I also predict Metro on normal laptops and desktops will be a massive FAIL due to these devices not having touch interfaces. Therefore Windows 8 will only be purchased in 'large' numbers by business users on Surface devices or similar OEM products as there is no reason to upgrade from Windows 7.

But what do I know?

I believe that the Surface tablet will be running Windows RT due to the ARM processor and Microsoft previously announced that windows RT will not integrate with Active Directory. If I am missing something then please let me know.

EDIT: I see now that the pro version runs Intel's Ivy Bridge, meaning that version will work with AD.

Windows 8 will technically not be instant on, but it will be close. Microsoft has already demonstrated a Windows 8 notebook with UEFI cold booting (battery out at start of demo) in less than 10 seconds. Also, Windows 8 doesn't really shut down like Windows 7 did. It goes into something like a suspend state. Well, more like a hibernation state, which allows it to boot incredibly quickly.

-90 seconds to boot the bios
-less than 10 seconds to go from the bios screen to the selection screen, since I dual boot 7 and 8.
-literally a blink to get the lock screen
-one click, enter password
-3 seconds for a complete Windows 8 start screen

And that is on old hardware.

I have a dedicated Windows 8 machine running a Core 2 Duo with 4GB RAM and am seeing similar boot times (faster BIOS boot though) from an unmodified OS.

Windows 8 and Windows RT are just different versions of 8 (Windows 8 is home version and Windows RT is ARM version); neither support AD integration. The basic Windows 8 tablet is RT and I hope that the Pro version is Windows 8 Pro as it supports AD integration. Here is a link describing the features of each version: http://www.pcworld.com/article/253919/windows_8_will_come_in_four_versions.html

I would have no problem purchasing a "working" Windows Tablet. I love my Windows environments even though they can be to say the least "annoying". I really hope since Microsoft has taken on this and realizes what "mess ups" mean in the world they just ventured into that they will "MAKE SURE" this product is good. If not, the customer service better be phenomenal. I love android as well but I would love to have a "Windows" tablet.

As a tech... I find myself torn. I love Windows and Android, but I find MacIntosh is annoying. The reason for my annoyance with MacIntosh is because I never usually have much maintenance to perform on them. As a tech that is not a good sign for the future; however, I cannot sit back and want only bad devices so I have work. (haha) .. I am slightly torn ...

Its odd to find someone call the company "Macintosh" even though that is the actual name. lol

Support tech's need computers that fail a lot. When I retired, I had supported both Windows and Mac Machines. It was about ten to one ratio Windows problems. The day after Patch Tuesday's was not fun.

and I may be inclined to favor it over non-Windows devices.

The 'next' tablet I buy will be my first, so I'm going to look at most major vendors anyway.

Yes, I know there are several Windows 7 tablets but they have been reported not to work well. I want a Windows tablet so I can integrate it with my home wireless network of three computers and work with Microsoft Office (Probably Office 2003-----I currently use Office 2007 but hate it.

I also want to coordinate my emails with either Outlook in Windows 7 or Outlook Express in Windows XP. I am not sure this coordination can be done on currently available tablets but there may be an App for that purpose unknown to me.

We evaluated the Samsung Slate here and it was a nice piece of hardware but the 3 hour battery life and cost put them out of our plans.

As for emails, both ios and Android support using an Exchange server out of the box as do the newer updates to Windows Phone 7 ( I don't consider a version that required me to use a simple password that is not permitted by corporate security policies as working). AFAIK, they allow syncing your emails, calendar, contacts, reminders, etc.

If you are going to use a Windows tablet, you are not going to be very happy trying to use Office 2003. You'll want the newest version when it is released to obtain a somewhat touch friendly interface.

IOS and Android do not support using exchange server they only support limited connectivity,
IOS does allow folder hierarchy to be viewed but not by default and it doesn't allow storage of emails in those so off-line use is impossible.
Android only supports a flatview of emails and folders, no hierarchy, and again will not cache sub folder data for off-line use, for both the default exchange client and third party apps. (I have read somewhere that ICS might have fixed this but don't know if it is true). No synching of notes either.

doesn't track with your iOS comments. I can see any and all mail folders w/o any other setup. Isn't that the definition of "default"?

For grins I just added a folder called Test by hitting the [new mailbox] button and selecting [Exchange]. By golly I can also move messages to it using ye olde iPad. Yup it's there under OWA too.

Folder data is cached as well, at least wrt to the latest updates I did before going off WiFi. You are correct in that I only see latest activity cached offline but I don't really think e-mail is useful w/o network connectivity.

Calendar works well too, tho the iCloud/Exchange bullets get a tad colorful (our family shares calendars both ways)

Firstly let me say I'm not a Microsoft evangelist, we support multiple OS's and programs from many vendors.

By the way you are actually proving my point in my post below, the iPhone is a consumer product, the Windows phone is a business product, that's the way they were designed... and I think the same applies to iPad V Surface Pro tablet.

I don't use IOS 5, after clients upgraded to it we had to contact two APP authors to make changes also we had to re-write a server program which runs on all versions of all browsers in order for it to run properly on Safari in IOS 5.
Not sure of the exact cause but Safari started inserting weird characters in the middle of strings and paths after IOS 5 upgrade.

Has IOS 5 taken away the restriction of 200 messages max to Synch with exchange server?

My iPhone is set to "No limit" on Mail days to synch, however emails start mysteriously dissapearing after a few months, they download again when opening the folder when connected, I have at least 20GB of free space, not much use if you are on a flight!

The default option shows all my emails from all POP accounts and Exchange in a flat layout, I want POP emails delivered into a sub folder of my Exchange inbox directly through a POP connection not through the office server.

I have spent hours on flights using my laptop (in flight mode) to put tenders together and catching up with emails, off-line mail is useful to some people, when connectivity is restored all the work is sent off.
This could just as easily apply to a tablet.

Are you aware of the iCloud bug when responding to a changed apointment to an exchange user? Have Apple fixed this yet?
It doesn't save the change when you accept it, something to do with Apple using their own format.

My needs are for business as are the people we advise so I guess it's down to horses for courses.

Wasn't aware of the exchange bug, we don't really cross the streams (so to speak) between iCloud and Exchange calendars. Thx for the heads- up tho!

If by horses for courses you mean use what works for you, I couldn't agree more. The intent behind my reply was to bring balance to the force.

Not by what Microsoft themselves stated. The fact that the original release of Windows Phone 7 did not support the use of alphanumeric passwords with Exchange ActiveSync made that rather clear. I don't know about your organization but those that I deal with require complex passwords which makes a simple numeric password a non-starter.

seem like Zune - The sequel

The Zune was trying to compete in the consumer arena. Microsoft is notoriously poor at that but they are hell on wheels in the business market. Name an Android/iOS tablet that runs MS-Office.

For crying out loud.. release this to the market any sooner! I've been looking for a tablet that is capable for more productivity and I believe this is just the right product. Android and Ipad have so many apps but many of them are games and office productivity are for sale which doesn't have full features of office documents. Productivity wise, if MS office works for this tablet + adobe photoshop.. that would be superb. I just hope the price is right too.

If you ask me the deciding factor will be price. As cool as the features of any of the tablets out there are, the general population will always have "price" be the deciding factor in the final purchase. If Microsoft prices this at or below the other tablets out there they are going to have a winner. Remember money is still tight for the majority of the people so they wont spend big buck for something unless they are getting a good deal.

As for the rest of us tech-heads, "price" is one of the last things we look at. Then salavate when we have to save up to buy the new stuff. lol

This is what I have been looking for, and I really think Intel missed the mark with their ultrabook. My last purchase of a notebook for myself was an HP tx2120us. HP missed the mark here by having so much trouble with the nVidia chipset and heat problems. I paid over $1200 for a machine that HP didn't support for an upgrade to Windows 7. Never again, HP is off my list. Samsung seems to get it and I suspect that is who built this Surface for Microsoft. I want desktop power in a tablet and it looks like it took Microsoft to accomplish it. I wish there was also an AMD option as I don't trust nVidia after the heat fiasco in the 6150 chipset and the poor engineering from HP, and Intel just hasn't kept up with the graphics side of the equation, but I'll probably be stuck with an Intel i5 or i7. It would be nice if the i7 comes in under $1000. Lack of a hard and optical drive shouldn't be a problem because of the ports available and SkyDrive. I'm hoping that Microsoft didn't abandon an ethernet port like Apple did as I still need to manage my infrastructure from inside, not through wireless. I want a Gb ethernet, USB3, displayport for my large external monitor and my aging eyes, and would like an eSata III, but will manage with iSCSI if I have to. 802.11n+ wireless is great for connectivity and the internet, but not for managing systems.

Microsoft pioneered the "Slate" concept a long time before Apple and now has decided to do their own because no one else stepped up to the plate. There was a time when HP would have been there first, but David P.and Bill H. are gone forever. HP needs some innovative engineers at the helm who care about their employees. Their incompetent board needs to be replaced in toto. I think Microsoft got this right, even if its late. Now let's hope they can make it happen soon. They still need to include a Windows 7 style interface in Win 8 though, but we will find a way to make this work and I'm sure there will be people who can innovate around the Metro interface if needs be.

Another winner sure looks like the Vizio All-in-one. I love my 22" Vizio 1080p HDTV/Monitor. It has performed flawlessly for over two years now. I hope they even make a larger model than the 27".

I kind of agree with you on the ethernet port. Where I work the have Wi-Fi but it is internet only and seperated from the main network. ethernet or VPN is the only way to connect to the internal network. That said I like that the Surface has a USB connetor. With that I should be able to connect a USB to ethernet adapter if required.

(Also) no message on the availability of the new Surface in Europe (I live in Ghent - Belgium)... As a long time Windows developer of LOB applications (and MS ISV Gold Partner), I can't wait to get one myself. Even my wife, who was thinking of getting a new apple laptop, is really excited about the new Surface... We decided to wait for it to come out, and most probable get an additional one for our oldest daughter who's going to highschool next september (she "prefers the red one") ...

What I've seen of the Surface Pro looks really good to me. I'll be happy to use that instead of my 14" ASUS notebook (good but too slow even with a Core i5 & 8 MB RAM, & battery life ain't great neither -- only 5 hours). I used to do real work on an ASUS Eee PC. The 7.5" was too small, but the 9" was good enough -- except for that tiny keyboard -- until the 10" came around. I need Windows, MS Office, & maybe Acrobat Pro (or Nitro Pro 7 PDF) and a basic graphics program -- but not Photoshop, thank goodness -- for my work. Win7 is excellent, but I hope for more from Win8.

Or how much do I have to spend as to which tablet I'll be buying!

<= $500 go with the iPad (good enough for business use, great for content)
>= $800 go with the SurfPro (good enough for content, great for business integration)

Assuming the OS's are bit-compatible across the phone, tablet, laptop, desktop and server, I think the Win8 might be a game changer in terms of ubiquitous data access. If they get it right, I will run Win8 everywhere. I assume MS will build an equivalent to iCloud for the mass-market to leverage the value of "same everywhere". Also, I assume you'll see Cloud apps to also take advantage of the consistent OS. We'll see, I guess.

One that I don't have to Root? One that I can install a Cisco Client on? One that I can use a native remote desktop application? One that can join and be managed by a domain? One that I don't have to use iTunes to manage my file system? No brainer!

I would consider Surface Pro for work.
It has AD integration
It can be managed through Group Policy.
It supports individual user profiles.
It has a digital pen, Micro-SD, keyboard cover, mini DisplayPort, and USB.
It runs lightweight apps and more robust Windows programs.
It supports Remote Desktop and VPN.
I can get to a file browser. (Windows Explorer)
It will work with almost any printer.
It doesn't require a computer to set it up.

I would consider RT for my teenage kids because
I believe it supports individual user profiles.
It has a Micro-SD, keyboard cover, HDMI and USB.