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Most people only read and view things on an iPad. Is that because of the fact they think they require a third device to do that, or because the iPad is not really useful for doing more and so they end up with three devices (the phone, the tablet and the PC). Traveling a lot, I'd really like a tablet that could also function as a PC. In that case I could live with two devices and wouldn't need that third device. I believe that's the real question. Apple took the market from the bottom, from the consumer end, Microsoft is taking the market from the top, the professional end. I believe that to be very smart. And as we are going to conversion of devices, I frankly believe the Microsoft approach has more chances to succeed than the iPad.
"taking the market from the top, the professional end" is a smart move on Microsoft's behalf.
I held off from purchasing a tablet for a couple of reasons. I hate the way the iPAd is tied to iTunes (and the lack of control) and early Android efforts seemed a bit pants in the hardware area. As for the PlayBook.....where do I begin with THAT? 
I needed a platform that not only could do excellent browsing, media consumption and mobile entertainment in an efficient way, I wanted something easy to create content on. Drawings, documents, spreadsheets, reports.....nothing too heavy (no CAD ).
In the end it took the arrival of good quality keyboard docks to make me plunge in and replace my Windows mobile device. For me, the arrival of ASUS's excellent TF101 allowed me to replace my laptop completely. The only thing I miss is silverlight support.
The Surface seems to take the bits that made the TF101 a good contender and up the ante a little - that is very promising for me. As another commenter has said, this is very much a 'me too' device and those of you expecting some sort of tablet revolution may be disappointed. Don't take me wrong though - this is still a good step in the right direction, as long as the full OS is snappy and responsive once it's running the various apps users will undoubtedly just click and install.
Is this an iPad killer? Unless it's relatively invulnerable to slowdowns and crapware whilst being priced to kill the iPad, no. If MS compete in the iPAds own playground then Apple's marketing machine will eat this up and spit it out. Apple have had a few years of unchallenged dominance now, building up the reputation that their product is the premium product and the best thing on the block (even when it may not be). Never underestimate the effect of sheep that have been well marketed to on your bottom line - even when you have the superior product.
I needed a platform that not only could do excellent browsing, media consumption and mobile entertainment in an efficient way, I wanted something easy to create content on. Drawings, documents, spreadsheets, reports.....nothing too heavy (no CAD
).In the end it took the arrival of good quality keyboard docks to make me plunge in and replace my Windows mobile device. For me, the arrival of ASUS's excellent TF101 allowed me to replace my laptop completely. The only thing I miss is silverlight support.
The Surface seems to take the bits that made the TF101 a good contender and up the ante a little - that is very promising for me. As another commenter has said, this is very much a 'me too' device and those of you expecting some sort of tablet revolution may be disappointed. Don't take me wrong though - this is still a good step in the right direction, as long as the full OS is snappy and responsive once it's running the various apps users will undoubtedly just click and install.
Is this an iPad killer? Unless it's relatively invulnerable to slowdowns and crapware whilst being priced to kill the iPad, no. If MS compete in the iPAds own playground then Apple's marketing machine will eat this up and spit it out. Apple have had a few years of unchallenged dominance now, building up the reputation that their product is the premium product and the best thing on the block (even when it may not be). Never underestimate the effect of sheep that have been well marketed to on your bottom line - even when you have the superior product.
I have been waiting for this moment for a long time. I paid 600$ for a Notion Ink Adam, gave it to a relative after 2 months, tried the HP Touchpad and finally settled for an Asus Transformer. Finally it seems MSF has put it together and I cant stop stumbling around with Android or, heaven forbid, an Apple IOS product. Just having one instrument to carry around even if it only has an old fashion LCD screen will be a great relief. For me it is all about mobility and access with compromise.
I completely agree with how limited the iPad is. On one hand, it's elegant, smooth, and brain-dead simple - and in today's world of technology where the stuff that doesn't work right is as common as the stuff that does, that is no small feat.
On the other hand, I think a lot of the reason people are only surfing and watching videos on the iPad is because it's just too hard to do anything else! In other words, people are doing limited things only because of the limitations, not because of a lack of desire.
The question is whether Microsoft can build a better mousetrap. Historically, they have been the "me, too" company. Zune, Windows Phone, and even Windows itself have all been clones of existing technology, that were "better" but somehow manged to be ridiculed and/or loathed at the same time. Can MS rip off the iPad and make it better without screwing the pooch again? I doubt it, but I also hope they prove me wrong.
On the other hand, I think a lot of the reason people are only surfing and watching videos on the iPad is because it's just too hard to do anything else! In other words, people are doing limited things only because of the limitations, not because of a lack of desire.
The question is whether Microsoft can build a better mousetrap. Historically, they have been the "me, too" company. Zune, Windows Phone, and even Windows itself have all been clones of existing technology, that were "better" but somehow manged to be ridiculed and/or loathed at the same time. Can MS rip off the iPad and make it better without screwing the pooch again? I doubt it, but I also hope they prove me wrong.
And that's the real question: can Microsoft deliver a product that is better than their competitors? Their history isn't very encouraging, but we'll reserve judgement until we see the actual product. A couple of things that are going to hurt them are their lateness to the market and the price point. The other one is going to be the UI and how many apps that redesign themselves for a touch-based interface, because let's face it: for anyone needing to edit a document or spreadsheet, the touch-screen interface is currently a nightmare.
I totally agree with Jason on this one. Now we'll wait to see what actually gets delivered.
I totally agree with Jason on this one. Now we'll wait to see what actually gets delivered.
Bought my wife a Kindle Fire and she loves it. I like it for what it does (search, reading, viewing, buying from Amazon, and learning and fun apps to share with our 2 1/2 year old granddaughter who has just about mastered it) but could not use it or other Android or Apple tablets for my business. I need full use of Word, Excel, Access and SQL database applications local and through our Citrix connection. I have an Android Citrix app that is ok for viewing and minor input but not useful for a power user. The idea of a workstation tablet based on a full version of Win 8 has my interest and I will research for my business. Jim
Mrs. Finkle came in and asked the price for hamburger. John told her it was $4.99 a pound.
Mrs. Finkle shook her head and said "No, No, No, Lehman Butchers across the street sells it for $2.99 a pound."
John was perplexed, that was below his wholesale price, admitting defeat, shrugging his shoulders he said that she should buy her hamburger from Lehman Butchers.
Mrs. Finkle replied she couldn't because they were sold out.
John smiled and said, I sell my hamburger for $1.99 a pound when I'm sold out.
We've been dealing with the Tech Versions of Mrs. Finkle and Lehman Butchers for the last 30 years. And instead of us learning our lessons, we just keep on getting sucked into the hype machine. The "content creators" who after every Manufacture's demo will declare "This time the non-Apple Tablet has got it right!!!" And every time the device fails to meet the expectations set up by the demo.
HP, Samsung, Google, RIM and countless others have promised a mountain and delivered an avalanche prone molehill.
But the "Content Creators" must create content regardless of the quality.
Mrs. Finkle shook her head and said "No, No, No, Lehman Butchers across the street sells it for $2.99 a pound."
John was perplexed, that was below his wholesale price, admitting defeat, shrugging his shoulders he said that she should buy her hamburger from Lehman Butchers.
Mrs. Finkle replied she couldn't because they were sold out.
John smiled and said, I sell my hamburger for $1.99 a pound when I'm sold out.
We've been dealing with the Tech Versions of Mrs. Finkle and Lehman Butchers for the last 30 years. And instead of us learning our lessons, we just keep on getting sucked into the hype machine. The "content creators" who after every Manufacture's demo will declare "This time the non-Apple Tablet has got it right!!!" And every time the device fails to meet the expectations set up by the demo.
HP, Samsung, Google, RIM and countless others have promised a mountain and delivered an avalanche prone molehill.
But the "Content Creators" must create content regardless of the quality.
Don't you know Apple is only good at perception and illusion thanks to the formidable hype machine they cultivated? Much style and no real substance.
Obviously some of us do, and have learned our lessons.
~~~~~~~~~~
c u m hoc ergo propter hoc
Obviously some of us do, and have learned our lessons.
~~~~~~~~~~
c u m hoc ergo propter hoc
only once. That's why there's a new latest and greatest Android phone/Tablet every six months. That's why we are subjected to thousands of ipod/iphone/ipad/MacBook Air killer articles.
Look at a failed hollywood blockbuster, it gets a ton of hype, it has the entertainment weekly version of Jason Hiener telling us how Hollywood is a buzz, the stars are about to take off to another level and possible Oscar and record breaking box office. Then it opens, millions of people see it. Realize it sucks and tells all their friends. The movie is quietly dropped the next week.
Over the last ten years, we've heard the exact same thing from you and your ilk.
The Ipod doesn't have enough features like the Creative MP3 players.
Sure the ipod dominates now, but just you wait until Zune.
The Iphone is going to be a failure. RIM is too strong and too established.
Android is going to eat Apple's lunch
Windows Mobile is the iphone killer.
And do we really need to remind you of what was said about the Ipad?
Look at a failed hollywood blockbuster, it gets a ton of hype, it has the entertainment weekly version of Jason Hiener telling us how Hollywood is a buzz, the stars are about to take off to another level and possible Oscar and record breaking box office. Then it opens, millions of people see it. Realize it sucks and tells all their friends. The movie is quietly dropped the next week.
Over the last ten years, we've heard the exact same thing from you and your ilk.
The Ipod doesn't have enough features like the Creative MP3 players.
Sure the ipod dominates now, but just you wait until Zune.
The Iphone is going to be a failure. RIM is too strong and too established.
Android is going to eat Apple's lunch
Windows Mobile is the iphone killer.
And do we really need to remind you of what was said about the Ipad?
If the OS really works like it seems to work on desktops, microsoft just made the biggest mistake it has ever made. Why they do not understand they are a back-office company I will never fathom. They risk killing that business which is what made them what they are. One better be able to switch to the old windows interface or Microsoft market cap will take a very nasty dive, and potentially the economy with it as it kills the upgrade cycle.
Is that why Windows runs on 88-90 percent of all desktops? Because Microsoft is a "back-office" company? Is that why MS Office is THE office suite for business, government and education?
I have an ASUS 300 Android tablet. In order for me to be able to do tasks using remote desktop into my work, I had to buy a docking station for it, as Windows is not very user friendly without mouse capability. And, the touch keyboard on the pad takes away too much screen.
I am still in the process of getting all of the work apps onto the tablet, but the Windows tablet seems attractive, and I may go that direction if I can't get what I need out of the Android.
I am still in the process of getting all of the work apps onto the tablet, but the Windows tablet seems attractive, and I may go that direction if I can't get what I need out of the Android.
A laptop will be much more convenient if you want everything. A tablet is simply a different thing with a different user experience. Microsoft had it wrong a decade ago and as often with companies that are managed as a government their thoughts do not evolve.
Thanks to everyone who is adding useful thoughts and insights to this discussion. I'm impressed by the high quality of the discussion on this topic. You are why TechRepublic is the best place to have these kinds of conversations online!
In reading the above comments, it's obvious there is still a misunderstanding about the mobile evolution. First I'll admit I'm coming from a user perspective as my background and expertise is not in IS&T. It's a fact that technology is evolving in how users interface with devices. The old way is still very much evident and computors being used today support this. As things evolve, the way users interface with PC's is changing and software, hardware and websites are all being adapted to support this transition. Each month, I see applications and websites being released that make a touch screen experince incredible and in fact, using a keboard and mouse would be the reverse and not much fun. So yes, one does need to go through a transition period to use Android and iOS devices effectively for creating. It took me at least 6 months of forcing myself to use before I felt comfortable and effective. Today, except for a very few applications, I can do everything on an iPad or Android device and it's way more than just games and viewing. Finally, the prediction of going paperless has come true for me. Company I'm working for has moved into the implementation phase of deploying close to 100 iPads in support of field activities. This is a game changer in how we will be doing our work. It's not a fad as some have stated as we've proven and documented the efficiency improvements and value these devices can add. In the last 3 months, every company I've talked to in the same industry is either evaluating or has already deployed 100's of these devices. As for the Surface, well I'm not going to predict whether it will be successful or not as I just don't know. I will say that it's mostly the old guard or IS&T personnel who seem to be excited. Others like me who are only users and who are embracing the new way of interfacing, just shrug and have no interest in what seems to be just a different form of a laptop.
What are you referring to? If you are suggesting
Windows RT is comparable to Android and iOS, well lets see
when it's released. I honestly thunk they are a year, at least, away
from even being able to consider as alternative
to the iOS and Android devices on the market.
Windows RT is comparable to Android and iOS, well lets see
when it's released. I honestly thunk they are a year, at least, away
from even being able to consider as alternative
to the iOS and Android devices on the market.
Make no sense to have a Microsoft tablet !
Windows 8 is not well supported yet.
Business is still Windows 7.
Just use a Android or IOS tablet ( at $200 ) and connect via a VPN Remote desktop and you have a Microsoft desktop.
Power users will continue to use Laptops.
The point is a Andriod or IOS tablet can be portal to a business MS machine ( virtual or not ) and still be used for your social needs.
We are in a world recession IT shops / businesses are budget aware, the best option is stated above.
No brainier ... Microsoft is not going to like it ... but the tablet market is gone to the competitors already !
You don't need a $1000 tablet to send a email / browse the net or watch a movie ...
Or remote to your business machine !
Windows 8 is not well supported yet.
Business is still Windows 7.
Just use a Android or IOS tablet ( at $200 ) and connect via a VPN Remote desktop and you have a Microsoft desktop.
Power users will continue to use Laptops.
The point is a Andriod or IOS tablet can be portal to a business MS machine ( virtual or not ) and still be used for your social needs.
We are in a world recession IT shops / businesses are budget aware, the best option is stated above.
No brainier ... Microsoft is not going to like it ... but the tablet market is gone to the competitors already !
You don't need a $1000 tablet to send a email / browse the net or watch a movie ...
Or remote to your business machine !
I think your analysis is right for most consumers, but business is not happy with Apple or Android devices as it is difficult to secure and implement in a Windows environment. A Windows tablet allows the enterprise to leverage its current security and support methods. Since the enterprise market has always belonged to Microsoft, a MS tablet is a great idea. Does it make more sense now?
No, it doesn't make more sense. Mobility today is not
Like yesterday. Solutions to address security and support
in an enterprise world is changing. If MS can adapt
to this, great. They will have a shot. If not, others will
continue to evolve and not be held to the old
way of using computing devices.
Like yesterday. Solutions to address security and support
in an enterprise world is changing. If MS can adapt
to this, great. They will have a shot. If not, others will
continue to evolve and not be held to the old
way of using computing devices.
"Just use a Android or IOS tablet ( at $200 ) and connect via a VPN Remote desktop and you have a Microsoft desktop."
You forgot to include the cost of that Microsoft desktop you're connecting to.
You forgot to include the cost of that Microsoft desktop you're connecting to.
For every iPad that needs to connect to an app on a Windows server, I need a Citrix license and server licenses to run Citrix. So the price to support iOS and Android in the enterprise ends up being higher than just going with a Surface tablet.
Well, if average users are anything like me (and judging from my conversations with many of my fellow iPad users, they are), they will welcome the ability to do full computing in a very portable format. Myriad are the meetings I attend at which someone laments the inability to switch into this or that application to accomplish something or display something that would further the meeting, on the iPad they're taking notes on. If Microsoft's product turns out to have the low learning curve of the iPad and they can ramp up quickly to supply lots of apps, I would switch. I'm a long-time PC user anyway.
The real question is Windows 8. If they don't have the OS to go with the hardware Apple still Wins.
At one point they had an OS developed off the X-box platform for the Surface tablet and killed it. The real question then becomes has Windows out lived its life cycle? The other is are the consumers ready for the Cloud? I'm not sure running an application from the cloud is going to work without a network connection and yes there are still places without network connectivity, How prehistoric.
At one point they had an OS developed off the X-box platform for the Surface tablet and killed it. The real question then becomes has Windows out lived its life cycle? The other is are the consumers ready for the Cloud? I'm not sure running an application from the cloud is going to work without a network connection and yes there are still places without network connectivity, How prehistoric.
but all I know is I want one. I'm much like the author. I like the idea of a tablet, but it doesn't seem like it has enough "oomph" for the stuff I do online. I still find I do alot of typing (like now), and a traditional tablet isn't a very good option for typing more than a few words.
I want a tablet computer that I can take with me most everywhere, but when I'm at home, it's ALMOST as good as a laptop, which means it can do most everything except high-end gaming.
I would be willing to pay a laptop price for a tablet IF it delivers on what Microsoft is promising (and provided I can massage the household budget to get it ).
I want a tablet computer that I can take with me most everywhere, but when I'm at home, it's ALMOST as good as a laptop, which means it can do most everything except high-end gaming.
I would be willing to pay a laptop price for a tablet IF it delivers on what Microsoft is promising (and provided I can massage the household budget to get it
). 
While I find the form factor and ease of tablets apealing, they just seemed too limiting. I want the best of both worlds....an easy touch interface with the familiarity and functionality of Windows if I so need it....and I know I will. I really don't care if it ends up being a little more than a iPad.
The Bottom line for me as a power desktop user is that windows 8 sucks like hell and will mess up alot of things for 3rd party developers like valve, so for me win8 is nothing more than the latest vista... if not WORSE!
It may come as a surprise but we're discussing tablets, not desktops.
Microsoft don't have a very successful history of trying to squeeze Windows into mobile devices. Windows CE wasn't exactly popular. Notebook PCs are dying a death.
Why doesn't Microsoft invent a new product from scratch for the mobile market? Call it "Doors" or "Roofs" or "Floors". Give up with the Windows codebase, stop trying to squeeze it into anything that will fit. Make something completely new, from scratch, like Apple and Google did. (and don't base it on Unix, please!)
Just my 2 cents...
Why doesn't Microsoft invent a new product from scratch for the mobile market? Call it "Doors" or "Roofs" or "Floors". Give up with the Windows codebase, stop trying to squeeze it into anything that will fit. Make something completely new, from scratch, like Apple and Google did. (and don't base it on Unix, please!)
Just my 2 cents...
Tablets are fashioned after magazines or books but tied to online services. We all admit that an electronic reading device better be cheap enough to convince the masses to give up physical books. Like a library, many go there to READ but few are writing anything there. Writing is an advancement, and so there is simply a larger market for readers. If Microsoft doesn't want the reading type, they should make sure their tablet price is higher. Amazon has got this one right, not Microsoft (at least for now). I will own both though but not an iPad.
I am one of these power user that want more of the tablet world, but neither apple, amazon or google are a good choice, i counting second to put my hand on a Windows 8 tablet and my Windows 8 desktop
But the way, i also hate tablet
But the way, i also hate tablet
Microsoft's strategy to design a tablet that mimics a laptop but which is much easier to use, with competitively priced apps and presented in an attractive device is the way to go. We have too many gadgets and if one can replace two, three or more, I believe that will be a big, big winner! If MS can truly deliver that, even a slightly higher price will not deter buyers like me.
There will always be percentage of the market that wants a MS power device ... @ $1000
But the point is it will be less than 1% of the IOS/Andriod market.
MS wants to be the market leaders in the tablet space , Windows 8 isn't going to do it.
The devices that will fly are really intel laptops with detachable screens, not tablets.
Windows 7 is not tablet friendly and Windows 8 is not business friendly.
Point made !
But the point is it will be less than 1% of the IOS/Andriod market.
MS wants to be the market leaders in the tablet space , Windows 8 isn't going to do it.
The devices that will fly are really intel laptops with detachable screens, not tablets.
Windows 7 is not tablet friendly and Windows 8 is not business friendly.
Point made !
depending upon if you buy the RT version or the full version. The anticipated pricing is the same as the netbooks and low end notebooks, so why not go for the unit with the stronger case?
I'm another one, if the tablet is the same or cheaper than a laptop I t'm there. I do want a tablet that you will me do everything. IPAD sorry just to difficult to do what I want, and my desktop is WIndows based I also use IE so I'm comftable with it, I do want tou use safari or chrome. 36 years in IT has proven to me that MS software works really well with other MS software for both myself and my clients
Jason
I think that you have missed the point from the vast business population out there. Tablets are "wonderful" the eye candy is stunning and for personal use they are wonderful but I can only do one thing at a time. I try to go paperless and if I need to refer to a file other than the one open I have to close the open file, open the required one, find what I what, close that file, reopen the first one etc etc.
In a word what business wants is concurrency and that makes Microsoft correct in their approach.
I think that you have missed the point from the vast business population out there. Tablets are "wonderful" the eye candy is stunning and for personal use they are wonderful but I can only do one thing at a time. I try to go paperless and if I need to refer to a file other than the one open I have to close the open file, open the required one, find what I what, close that file, reopen the first one etc etc.
In a word what business wants is concurrency and that makes Microsoft correct in their approach.
I completely agree that business users - read content creators - MUST have the ability to multitask. But that's kind of the point of the difference between a laptop and a tablet: the tablet isn't made for content creators. Microsoft is going to try it anyway and we'll see if they succeed. What still hasn't been developed, however is the UI on the APP side for working with business documents, i.e. spreadsheets, memos, etc. I think that the touch-based UI has only really been successful with apps designed with the UI in mind. Trying to run a non-touch-UI app on a touch-UI form factor sounds to me like frustration incarnate to the user.
I love commentaries like this because they talk about the complete unknown as if they are pretty sure. Who knows whether there is a large market for full OS tablet that really runs well, but still has the basic form factor of a tablet. We have never had one before. Yes they have had some laptop/tablets but not really built on a platform that is built for a touch device.
A few years ago people said there was no real market for any tablets. It was an additional device that people did not really need. I think if the full Windows 8 Surface really performs as advertised there will be a market. At this time next year I will be looking to replace my aging Macbook, and the Surface if it performs well will be my first look. I have been waiting on a tablet because I need a full performance OS, and iOS just is not a full working environment (I have an Iphone and I have used a borrowed Ipad extensively). I like the tablet form factor for somethings, but hate the fact that it is so limited yet. I cannot wait for the opportunity to get a real OS on one. Perhaps there will be enough of a market to force Apple to upgrade iOS too.
Yes I am a power user, but many business people are.
A few years ago people said there was no real market for any tablets. It was an additional device that people did not really need. I think if the full Windows 8 Surface really performs as advertised there will be a market. At this time next year I will be looking to replace my aging Macbook, and the Surface if it performs well will be my first look. I have been waiting on a tablet because I need a full performance OS, and iOS just is not a full working environment (I have an Iphone and I have used a borrowed Ipad extensively). I like the tablet form factor for somethings, but hate the fact that it is so limited yet. I cannot wait for the opportunity to get a real OS on one. Perhaps there will be enough of a market to force Apple to upgrade iOS too.
Yes I am a power user, but many business people are.
I submit that it's not a matter of whether the Surface is better than an iPad or Android tablet - it's a matter of whether it covers off more things and makes technology life simpler. Here's what I mean - right now I have:
1. Cell Phone. Pros: Small, easy to use, reliable, good communication (voice, text, email) device, allows quick and simple interface to Internet for looking up things. Cons: Inefficient format for keying in anything substantial (like a long email), small screen format for efficient consumption of anything meaningful, ineffective content editing.
2. Kindle. Pros: Extremely good battery life, easy display to read, very portable, lots of storage for content. Cons: ebook consumption device only - unusable for creating anything.
3. iPad: Pros: Large, colorful display, lots of apps, good touch interface, portable. Cons: Inefficient format for keying in anything substantial (like a long email), limited content consumption device battery life, poor at content creation and editing.
4. Laptop. Pros: Very effective content creation device with keyboard, mousepad, and relevant application install base; greate connectivity to USB/Bluetooth/WiFi/Ethernet. Cons: Heavy, large device, poor battery performance for consuming content.
5. Home Media Creation and Server Machine: Pros: Expandable, powerful, media server capabile, very capable at connectivity, high value to cost ratio. Cons: not portable.
What would a Surface do for me? Based on the demonstrated and published capabilities, it could let me eliminate the cost and support of items 3 and 4 above - maybe even 2. To me, that makes my life simpler and makes it a very enticing go-forward choice.
1. Cell Phone. Pros: Small, easy to use, reliable, good communication (voice, text, email) device, allows quick and simple interface to Internet for looking up things. Cons: Inefficient format for keying in anything substantial (like a long email), small screen format for efficient consumption of anything meaningful, ineffective content editing.
2. Kindle. Pros: Extremely good battery life, easy display to read, very portable, lots of storage for content. Cons: ebook consumption device only - unusable for creating anything.
3. iPad: Pros: Large, colorful display, lots of apps, good touch interface, portable. Cons: Inefficient format for keying in anything substantial (like a long email), limited content consumption device battery life, poor at content creation and editing.
4. Laptop. Pros: Very effective content creation device with keyboard, mousepad, and relevant application install base; greate connectivity to USB/Bluetooth/WiFi/Ethernet. Cons: Heavy, large device, poor battery performance for consuming content.
5. Home Media Creation and Server Machine: Pros: Expandable, powerful, media server capabile, very capable at connectivity, high value to cost ratio. Cons: not portable.
What would a Surface do for me? Based on the demonstrated and published capabilities, it could let me eliminate the cost and support of items 3 and 4 above - maybe even 2. To me, that makes my life simpler and makes it a very enticing go-forward choice.
Great detailed response. I think you've really hit the nail on the head as far as the potential for the new MS tablets. Now the question is going to be can they really DO it. I still wonder about battery life, though. Microsoft doesn't come even close to Apple in this regard. If Surface is really going to compete, it's going to have to have better than a 3-hr battery life or it's really not going to thrill people.
Technically, if you're just idling on your Apple, the battery life will be great indeed. What I'm saying is with the order of magnitude less, any ARM based device provides computationally, when compared to more traditional and powerful computers, of course current consumption will be in direct proportion.
Metaphorically, do not attempt to use a one cylinder powered moped to do the job required by a four cylinder superbike capable of 300+ KM/h. But the moped will have "better battery life"...
Hence most iPads (and other ARM based tablets) are relegated to replacing magazines and newspapers in the bathroom, and other such trivial tasks.
But to the point, I think (hope) they will manage better than 3 hour life on the x64 bit version.
Oh you do realize all ARM processors are 32-bit only?
Metaphorically, do not attempt to use a one cylinder powered moped to do the job required by a four cylinder superbike capable of 300+ KM/h. But the moped will have "better battery life"...
Hence most iPads (and other ARM based tablets) are relegated to replacing magazines and newspapers in the bathroom, and other such trivial tasks.
But to the point, I think (hope) they will manage better than 3 hour life on the x64 bit version.
Oh you do realize all ARM processors are 32-bit only?
I really haven't found much need for 64-bit anyways outside of databases or high-end graphics rendering, so ARM support really doesn't matter to me in that regard.
I'm not really sure what your point is with the rest of the post. My only point was that everyday users are going to look at battery life as a direct comparison method for evaluation as well as price. If Microsoft doesn't perform comparably on those two factors, users are going to favor non-MS devices like the iPad.
Your comparison to a newspaper is apt. Most of the tablet devices are used like a newspaper - you put them down and pick them up to read from it. You aren't going to try and do extended word processing, etc. What I think Microsoft is going to do is to try to leverage Office onto the Surface-based devices in the hopes that it draws customers. But the touch-based interface is currently a real headache when trying to do more than add a few words of text or put in a value in a spreadsheet. Ever tried working a formula? Yeah. That's why keyboard and mouse are still king there.
I'm not really sure what your point is with the rest of the post. My only point was that everyday users are going to look at battery life as a direct comparison method for evaluation as well as price. If Microsoft doesn't perform comparably on those two factors, users are going to favor non-MS devices like the iPad.
Your comparison to a newspaper is apt. Most of the tablet devices are used like a newspaper - you put them down and pick them up to read from it. You aren't going to try and do extended word processing, etc. What I think Microsoft is going to do is to try to leverage Office onto the Surface-based devices in the hopes that it draws customers. But the touch-based interface is currently a real headache when trying to do more than add a few words of text or put in a value in a spreadsheet. Ever tried working a formula? Yeah. That's why keyboard and mouse are still king there.
I don't know about the rest of the world but I have been waiting and knew that tablets would evolve to the point of being a full PC. I am still very happy with my Toshiba tablet and have wondered why anyone would want a straight notebook or PC. I now use a Samsung Galaxy Phone 90% of the time for all my work and only use my notebook tablet for answering serious emails and watching anything requiring a larger screen viewing. I for one have been waiting Enjoy what ever choice you make. Really they are all getting pretty good.
So far what Microsoft has gotten all along that Apple still does not have a clue about is that industry IT departments need certain capabilities when they roll out mobile devices. This has been true since the beginning. Microsoft understands infrastructure; is needs / standards / metrics. This customer base is huge. It will meet my needs personally and make me more mobile.
Also realize that apple cares nothing about the enterprise market. They create for low level consumers that want a simple device that is minimally functional. In contrast, Microsoft, who has known this for years, understand that gaining a foothold in the enterprise market is like rolling a freight train downhill - it has long-carrying momentum and will likely fuel revenue for many years.
The Windows 8 approach is wise, although implementation is another topic entirely.
apple's target market is fickle; they will switch on a whim to the newest device that comes out. Microsoft's possible presence in the enterprise tablet market is a long lasting foray.
The Windows 8 approach is wise, although implementation is another topic entirely.
apple's target market is fickle; they will switch on a whim to the newest device that comes out. Microsoft's possible presence in the enterprise tablet market is a long lasting foray.
Tablet just look like TVs to me. A bunch of channels, but without a real keyboard, its a TV. Real mobile computing will require a head mounted display, and not some stylish, little tweet indicator, but something for a CAD system or a spreadsheet. I want the keyboard hanging as a pendant that can double as an AR gaming controller or musical instrument. I would love some feedback from anyone who has time to visit the SoLaTiDo wearable computer website. I just gave a talk Tuesday at the Wearable Technologies Conference in San Francisco and people seem rather polarized on this sort of thing. Tablets have a real advantage in that nobody worries about looking like too much of a nerd using one.
Unfortunately Windows 7 and likely W8 have high background activity and while that may be a plus in a corporate environment, it is likely not a plus to a home computer user. I have a ASUS Netbook that came with Windows 7 Starter and I have upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium and also added an additional gig of ram to make it two gig. I also have an Intel N550 Atom processor that effectively has 4 cores, and even with that supposedly impressive array, using the Netbook can seem like driving a Model T up Pike's Peak. I installed Android 4.0.3 ICS on it, and it is a lot more speedy, and effectively is a lot more enjoyable to use with ICS than W7. There are just too many background services going on with W7, and probably most of them are not important to a home user, but you can be reticent to disable them.
I have 2 i 7 computers, a desktop and a laptop for when I want and need them, but my next purchase will be an Android Tablet, likely an ASUS TF700 rather than a W8 machine. I like the speed and ease of Tablet use and will give it a shot. After my experience with Android on my Netbook, I am looking forward to getting a more polished version of the O/S in an ASUS tablet. Within 6 months, my Netbook will likely be history and will be using my tablet frequently for things that don't require a heavy duty computer. The resources of an underpowered computer will be just fine for an Android Tablet. It is hard to tell what lies ahead with computers, but time will tell if Windows types will be abandoned by home users for more convenient Tablets. You can hook up a keyboard and mouse to them and also use an external Monitor and have a nice set up. By 2017 we should have a better feel about where the computer market is going long term.
I have 2 i 7 computers, a desktop and a laptop for when I want and need them, but my next purchase will be an Android Tablet, likely an ASUS TF700 rather than a W8 machine. I like the speed and ease of Tablet use and will give it a shot. After my experience with Android on my Netbook, I am looking forward to getting a more polished version of the O/S in an ASUS tablet. Within 6 months, my Netbook will likely be history and will be using my tablet frequently for things that don't require a heavy duty computer. The resources of an underpowered computer will be just fine for an Android Tablet. It is hard to tell what lies ahead with computers, but time will tell if Windows types will be abandoned by home users for more convenient Tablets. You can hook up a keyboard and mouse to them and also use an external Monitor and have a nice set up. By 2017 we should have a better feel about where the computer market is going long term.
Up to this point, tablets have been merely for output - i.e., consuming media. Read mail, play with facebook, watch a movie, listen to music. If Win8 works as intended, I, for one, will revisit the tablet world. Being more of an "input" person & creator rather than consumer of media, virtual keyboards just don't even come close to cutting it. I have FORCED myself to endure what might be considered a learning curve, and struggled FAR beyond that. The idea of actually trying to administer an enterprise server via RDP or VNC or teamviewer or whatever and blundering around for special keys on a tiny screen (even a 10") with anything larger than a pin is just stupid and a great way to get sued.
I lead the team that manages all of the computing devices for a multi-billion dollar company. We have had requests for iPads and tablets for a couple of years. Our consensus is that iPads are not enterprise devices, plain and simple, and can't replace a Windows based device. Until recently, the tablets on the market have fallen short (we've tried numerous ones). Recently we tested the Samsung Slate 7, and after a small pilot the reviews were overwhelmingly positive. 60 days later I have 40 of these devices and the requests are still pouring in. My users are abandoning their laptops, because at last we have a Windows tablet that holds it's own and IT can manage it. Add a pile of accessories and we can dock them, use external monitors and keyboards, blue tooth accessories, cases, etc, and it can do everything people want. My prediction is Windows 8 will make these tablets (and hopefully future ones such as Surface) run even better, and I expect to be on a totally tablet environment for everyone who needs mobility within the next 2 years.
The price tag is too high for consumers though. Kitted out we are spending as much as an enterprise class laptop, so this is a lateral move in regards to price. We are gaining more mobility and tablet features such as hand writing transcription and touch interactive applicatons. I predict Microsoft will continue to dominate the enterprise mobility marketshare but Apple will own the consumer market (Unless Windows 8 RT and the Surface can hit the price point to compete with the iPad AND demonstrate enough interest in RT apps to lure people away from the IOS app store, which both seem unlikely.)
The price tag is too high for consumers though. Kitted out we are spending as much as an enterprise class laptop, so this is a lateral move in regards to price. We are gaining more mobility and tablet features such as hand writing transcription and touch interactive applicatons. I predict Microsoft will continue to dominate the enterprise mobility marketshare but Apple will own the consumer market (Unless Windows 8 RT and the Surface can hit the price point to compete with the iPad AND demonstrate enough interest in RT apps to lure people away from the IOS app store, which both seem unlikely.)
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