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Having retired from the world of IT, my needs are a lot simpler, So I thought the Surface was the perfect answer to my current lifestyle. In preparation I have just upgrades my 3 PC Home network to Windows 8, I am content with 8 but not over the moon. So my search for a new Laptop/tablet started, Given I have a working 1gig network, and an all on windows 8 it has to be that route, As I use my systems for Video editing I need decent power, So I decided on an Intel i7 cpu. After a bit of research I think I am decided on the ASUS AiO. Shame really because as the author says, Surface looks like THE solution. Stewart
I have been using the surface since it was released. My work takes me to various engineering sites where I program and automate processes. I use remote desktop to view and program the site equipment.
I will be getting the surface pro as soon as it released in the UK. It is what I have been waiting for, for years. I have never been interested I tablets because they do not do what I need.
One of the best things about the Surface RT is it just works straight out of the box. I hope the Pro will be the same.
As for "confused interface and slow tablet computing experience" and "Slow transitions between tablet and desktop mode, long load times, and a lackluster application catalog"
Window 8 is a very good operating system the RT version is also good. I don't miss the start menu and when in desktop mode it feels like windows 7 and people don't know its widows 8 until I show them. Switching between tablet and desktop mode, I press the windows key and blink and its changed, how quick does he want it to change. With regard to Apps I have hundred's of apps I have downloaded to my 3 iPhones I have owned an may use just a few of them. The same is true the iPad and will be with the appstore.
Before any one buys a tablet they should ask the question:
"What am I going to do with this?"
I will be getting the surface pro as soon as it released in the UK. It is what I have been waiting for, for years. I have never been interested I tablets because they do not do what I need.
One of the best things about the Surface RT is it just works straight out of the box. I hope the Pro will be the same.
As for "confused interface and slow tablet computing experience" and "Slow transitions between tablet and desktop mode, long load times, and a lackluster application catalog"
Window 8 is a very good operating system the RT version is also good. I don't miss the start menu and when in desktop mode it feels like windows 7 and people don't know its widows 8 until I show them. Switching between tablet and desktop mode, I press the windows key and blink and its changed, how quick does he want it to change. With regard to Apps I have hundred's of apps I have downloaded to my 3 iPhones I have owned an may use just a few of them. The same is true the iPad and will be with the appstore.
Before any one buys a tablet they should ask the question:
"What am I going to do with this?"
Everything you say about the RT may be true, but that isn't the device we're talking about.
he mentioned nearly all the talking points of the article as having no issue--even with switching back and forth between user interfaces.
From all that I've learned about it, there is just one aspect of the Surface Pro that makes it unacceptable to me. It's not battery life, because I could power it off my car or a solar battery; it's not computational capability, as it can run anything I might wish to run, especially considering that I could install another operating system under the Hypervisor. No, the one intolerable drawback is the ten-inch screen. I turn 69, next week, and my eyes just don't have the resolution that they had forty years ago. Trying to use a computer with one hand while holding a magnifier with the other is insane. If there were a version of the Surface Pro with an eighteen-inch screen, I'd jump at the chance to buy one, even pulling money out of my IRA to finance it.
You can expand or diminish what you are reading, or looking at, according to need. Sometimes the print is too small, sometimes to large, so that I am constantly expanding or contracting. I find that the lack of that ability is partly why I have Stopped using any thing that is not touch.
That's been possible with non-touch versions of Windows for quite a while. Touch may be easier than holding the CTRL key while spinning the mouse wheel / pressing the UP / DOWN keys, but it isn't new.
Well apart from the 'lacklustre application catalogue'. This is a new product so its harly surprising.
The app loading experience differs from app to app.
The app loading experience differs from app to app.
So you'd rather carry a laptop and a tablet than a surface pro and its charger??
Don't get it.
As for the software, it's just windows 8, so what's the problem compared to your laptop, another win8 tablet or an android tablet?
Don't get it.
As for the software, it's just windows 8, so what's the problem compared to your laptop, another win8 tablet or an android tablet?
Since you know the Surface Pro wont fit your computing needs, keep it to yourself. Thank you but no thanks! Lets find out for our self. There has been too much of Microsoft bashing especially from tech journalists many of whom are tech journalists. And I am beginning to vote with my mouse for whom to read or not. Recently I stopped reading the column of a New York Times tech journalist because it would be preferable to read Apple press release form its own website. Every day there is a stories and rumours about how brilliant apple products are, or what is coming next. Each time they tweak the iOs, there is a rave about it. Let's just pause a minute and take a considered look at these matters. For instance, these fanboys did not cry foul about the iPad storage issue even though other tablets had more storage capacity and ports than the iPad. Now that Apple is coming out with the 128GB version, they've all gone gaga with what it will mean to them. Why have they kept silent for so long? Why like My Gray didn't they blitz the tech media about not purchasing an iPad because it didn't meet their storage need?
Yeah, I'd much rather drop several hundred bucks to learn for myself that a device doesn't do what I want.
If the device had fit Patrick's needs perfectly, would you still want him to keep his opinion to himself? Are only positive features worth documenting? "President Lincoln is said to have enjoyed the play."
You go ahead and re-invent the wheel if you want to. I'm more than willing to let someone else do the preliminary work, especially on their dime.
If the device had fit Patrick's needs perfectly, would you still want him to keep his opinion to himself? Are only positive features worth documenting? "President Lincoln is said to have enjoyed the play."
You go ahead and re-invent the wheel if you want to. I'm more than willing to let someone else do the preliminary work, especially on their dime.
Yes, the IPAD has a very good battery life. However, the surface has about 500 mins which is 8 hours. To me the hits the mark just fine. Not everyone has their device on straight for 10 hours.
I dont think at this point the surface will totally replace a laptop. At this point the tablet has its place but I am sure the will change.
I dont think at this point the surface will totally replace a laptop. At this point the tablet has its place but I am sure the will change.
I have an iPad. Biggest draw back to me is it's very problematic in the note taking area. Seeing the Surface has a pen stylus will move to purchasing a Surface W8.
Being completely objective, I understand the complaint about battery life. I don't see it as a problem myself as I can always find a plug if I need it.
However, where the argument breaks down is this -- if the 5 hour battery life of the Surface Pro is insufficient, getting a laptop with similar or even lower battery life to use in its place will somehow alleviate your problems? Or are you assuming you will use the laptop half the time, and the tablet half the time?
I would look at getting a battery and a dock charger instead, giving you another 5 hours of battery life on the Surface Pro.
However, where the argument breaks down is this -- if the 5 hour battery life of the Surface Pro is insufficient, getting a laptop with similar or even lower battery life to use in its place will somehow alleviate your problems? Or are you assuming you will use the laptop half the time, and the tablet half the time?
I would look at getting a battery and a dock charger instead, giving you another 5 hours of battery life on the Surface Pro.
I can carry a couple of spare, charged batteries along with a laptop and swap them out if needed. They'll probably weigh less than toting a second device.
If your into note taking like you said, why note get the Galaxy Note 8" next month? Stylus, awesome note taking apps, all day battery. Seems it would fit your needs much better than that joke of a tablet ipad mini.
I've been interested to watch the unfolding of tablet use in general in the office environment. In our office, PC/Mac usage is about 60/40, so when tablets became an option, most of the ones I saw were Apple iPads, though I have seen Samsung unit or two as well.
For a few months last year, tablets began cropping up all over, and in a large meeting it wasn't uncommon to see as many as 4 iPads around the table. Then by Thanksgiving it was 3, then by Christmas it was 2, then it dwindled to one. Now I can't recall the last time I saw someone in a meeting with a tablet.
When I asked some of the folks who used to use them why they weren't using them any more in meetings, these were the answers I got:
1) I can't really take notes with one ... the process of taking notes just isn't convenient or fast enough (onscreen keyboard), and I found I was missing content while I struggled with the interface.
2) I can't access my network (intranet) documents fast enough to reference them on a timely basis during the meeting.
3) Without universal wifi coverage through out all corners of the office complex, keeping up on email via iPad (or other tablet) isn't viable. (Someone with a 4g plan might not have had that problem).
4) Not well integrated into the MS Outlook system used for managing meetings, conference rooms, email, etc.
What has evolved over the last six months is people using their smart phones to keep up on email and calendar during meetings, using paper for personal note taking, and for those in charge of keeping minutes or making presentations, they use their laptops.
People really WANTED the idea of tablets to work in the office. I LOVE the idea of tablets. But at this point, in our office (and in the previous one where I worked in for 3 years), they just aren't catching on. Functionally, for most office workers, the ability to interface with key work systems and to create and edit information on the fly just isn't up to par yet. Most folks are finding its simpler to keep notes on paper and transfer the essential bits to their PC's back a their desk. This tells me the tablet has a long way to go in terms of functional design before it overtakes existing technologies on the desks of most office workers.
So what are folks using their tablets for if not for use in meetings, etc.? They do watch movies on them at lunch.
For a few months last year, tablets began cropping up all over, and in a large meeting it wasn't uncommon to see as many as 4 iPads around the table. Then by Thanksgiving it was 3, then by Christmas it was 2, then it dwindled to one. Now I can't recall the last time I saw someone in a meeting with a tablet.
When I asked some of the folks who used to use them why they weren't using them any more in meetings, these were the answers I got:
1) I can't really take notes with one ... the process of taking notes just isn't convenient or fast enough (onscreen keyboard), and I found I was missing content while I struggled with the interface.
2) I can't access my network (intranet) documents fast enough to reference them on a timely basis during the meeting.
3) Without universal wifi coverage through out all corners of the office complex, keeping up on email via iPad (or other tablet) isn't viable. (Someone with a 4g plan might not have had that problem).
4) Not well integrated into the MS Outlook system used for managing meetings, conference rooms, email, etc.
What has evolved over the last six months is people using their smart phones to keep up on email and calendar during meetings, using paper for personal note taking, and for those in charge of keeping minutes or making presentations, they use their laptops.
People really WANTED the idea of tablets to work in the office. I LOVE the idea of tablets. But at this point, in our office (and in the previous one where I worked in for 3 years), they just aren't catching on. Functionally, for most office workers, the ability to interface with key work systems and to create and edit information on the fly just isn't up to par yet. Most folks are finding its simpler to keep notes on paper and transfer the essential bits to their PC's back a their desk. This tells me the tablet has a long way to go in terms of functional design before it overtakes existing technologies on the desks of most office workers.
So what are folks using their tablets for if not for use in meetings, etc.? They do watch movies on them at lunch.
Depending on the length of the meeting, recording it in audio seems a far more efficient way to catch all the information--especially if you're keeping minutes. You can pretty easily follow that up with a speech to text app. I, for one, would not be trying to type notes on any device, not even a laptop, during a meeting.
#2 might stand up, but I do believe when Microsoft gets RT a little better integrated with the rest of the Windows environment that issue will go away for the Surface. On the other hand, if those iPad users had been using iWork on their Macs instead of Office, there's a good chance all those documents would have been readily available. I've found that document synchronization is almost completely automatic in both directions.
#3 is the fault more of your company's willingness to provide sufficient coverage. While I understand the desire to prevent outside access to the wireless network, if it truly affects the productivity of even one employee, the setup needs to be examined.
#4 is also questionable--showing more that either they or your IT staff don't know enough about accessing that Outlook environment, though I will acknowledge that the iPad uses several apps to serve the overall purpose which actually becomes more efficient as they don't get in each others' way. I've seen many an example where Outlook itself is the problem--alerting users to a meeting two hours or more after the scheduled time--on full Windows networks. As such, I can't really blame the iPad when even non-iPad users are affected.
#2 might stand up, but I do believe when Microsoft gets RT a little better integrated with the rest of the Windows environment that issue will go away for the Surface. On the other hand, if those iPad users had been using iWork on their Macs instead of Office, there's a good chance all those documents would have been readily available. I've found that document synchronization is almost completely automatic in both directions.
#3 is the fault more of your company's willingness to provide sufficient coverage. While I understand the desire to prevent outside access to the wireless network, if it truly affects the productivity of even one employee, the setup needs to be examined.
#4 is also questionable--showing more that either they or your IT staff don't know enough about accessing that Outlook environment, though I will acknowledge that the iPad uses several apps to serve the overall purpose which actually becomes more efficient as they don't get in each others' way. I've seen many an example where Outlook itself is the problem--alerting users to a meeting two hours or more after the scheduled time--on full Windows networks. As such, I can't really blame the iPad when even non-iPad users are affected.
This article is full of personal preferences and lack of real information. There's not even real information about the product he's complaining about, but just expectations and speculations without real facts. I do not believe your claiming about the battery life and the store falling short of applications; that has not been my experience at all. I felt very much like you before I started using Surface RT. Kudos to Microsoft for this great new product.
I agreewith the author here. Surface looks like a good next step up from the iPad for those of us that are power users, but it lacks the easy and clean user inteface of the Apple product. Give them a year to get the app catalog built up and solve the sliggish performmance an confusing interface and I may switch back to an MS powered product. Until the=n my iPad works great for my on-the-go productivity needs (Don't know why folks complain about the on-board iPad keyboard. I priofduce well with it.). One day we'll get that all-in-on prtable PC, just not today. No wif someone could just get me that flying car I've always wanted!
At least to me. I have been watching closely and trying to decide how to spend my money. It has been hard to justify $1,000 of my own money for a tablet that has very little storage and battery life. I'm looking for a replacement for my work laptop and I want it to be a tablet that I can take with me on the fly. This article spoke to me as a user and a tech. I can live with some shortfalls, but what's the point of having a tablet/laptop that can't hold up to my needs? I will be waiting for Microsoft to add storage and battery life before I spend my hard earned money on something that won't meed my needs just yet. Microsoft, I'll be waiting and when you improve it, I'll be glad to give you my money.
So I finally made it into the Microsoft store to check out the Surface RT only because I've convinced myself for some time now that the Pro version was what I really was waiting for and at least by playing with the RT for a bit, I would get a decent taste of what was to come in the Pro. I found the device "fun" and easy to use and seemingly sturdy and well built. Surely the Pro would be everything I hoped for especially given that I would be able to run full fledged "real" software on it and not be confined to run the half-baked, child-like, application wanna be software that seems to make up a majority of the Windows 8 arsenal (but that's a whole other joke... I mean story). Like everything in life, at least from a business perspective, deciding to purchase a Surface Pro ultimately comes down to a cost / benefit decision and for me, at least, I just don't see it as being there. As I was informed by the Microsoft Store salesperson, a beefed up Pro with the keyboard would end up running me well near the $1,100 to $1,200 range (if not more). Really? Why? More importantly, why would I want to spend that much for a device that effectively doesn't really do that much more than my $250 Netbook does? Realistically, when seated at a desk or conference table, with the Surface Pro on it's little kickstand with the keyboard flipped out, you're taking up about the same footprint as the Netbook would take up. Of course, the Netbook doesn't have the nifty touch screen that the Surface Pro has, but as far as I'm concerned, while the touch screen is a neat - even fun - aspect of using Windows 8, it's not a necessity and I've been using Winows 8 on my desktop - without a touchscreen - just fine for months now. So it's back to a cost / benefit analysis. For the same price as the Surface pro, I can buy a new, well equipped laptop which, for my needs, will perform as well as the Surface Pro, offer more RAM, more storage, more adaptability AND pop for a couple of touch screen monitors to have at my desk when I work from home AND have enough left for a decent night on the town. So while the idea that tablets are the end-all, be-all for the future of the computing world, if I were to judge that based on the Surface Pro, and If I owned a chunk of stock in laptops, I wouldn't be too worried. Get the Surface Pro down to the $500 range - with the keyboard - and then we'll seriously talk but until then, at $1,200, the cost / benefit ratio is way off base.
Patrick,
"Obviously" the "faults" you have mentioned are merely opportunities for other vendors to "supplement" the Surface with "pirepherals.
first a Bigger battery....
with everyone going green, the old heavy and energy dense car batteries will be in abundance. using the Microsoft (side pack) you could carry a car battery and use that to supplement the poor battery life.
The battery could also have a "mini server rack" on it to carry a powered file / application server to supplement the "svelt" form factor of the surface.
The whole package, Car battery (wrapped in colorful microsoft fabric could be called the "power user pack, and will then provide the computing experience that you are looking for. Frankly this fits the marketing model of the XBOX, which required after market fans to keep the power wire ont he motehrboard from overheating and fusing to the motherboard. So Die Hard Zealots ould welcome the "extra 10 to 40 lbs of batteries.
As far as "unusable" that is semantics.
HAH!!
"Obviously" the "faults" you have mentioned are merely opportunities for other vendors to "supplement" the Surface with "pirepherals.
first a Bigger battery....
with everyone going green, the old heavy and energy dense car batteries will be in abundance. using the Microsoft (side pack) you could carry a car battery and use that to supplement the poor battery life.
The battery could also have a "mini server rack" on it to carry a powered file / application server to supplement the "svelt" form factor of the surface.
The whole package, Car battery (wrapped in colorful microsoft fabric could be called the "power user pack, and will then provide the computing experience that you are looking for. Frankly this fits the marketing model of the XBOX, which required after market fans to keep the power wire ont he motehrboard from overheating and fusing to the motherboard. So Die Hard Zealots ould welcome the "extra 10 to 40 lbs of batteries.
As far as "unusable" that is semantics.
HAH!!
I was excited about the Surface but neither the RT or the Pro will work for me. I will stick with my Kindle Fire and my iPad which meet my needs despite not having 3.0 USB ports, micro SD ports and picture passwords. I am not sure why Microsoft is not addressing the issues to make the Surface better.Microsoft seems to be designing a device that they think we want without actually considering what users want/need. The price is already high, granted it is cheaper than Asus or Samsung devices running Windows 8 but their battery life beats Surface RT and Pro in my analysis.
I have not seen outlets (regular or cigarette lighter style) on planes in a while. I would welcome that again while flying if I could charge devices other than a cell phone but it still won't make me buy a Surface.
I have not seen outlets (regular or cigarette lighter style) on planes in a while. I would welcome that again while flying if I could charge devices other than a cell phone but it still won't make me buy a Surface.
... if I were in need of a new Windows 8 PC. Instead, I bought a Surface-RT as a companion device.
It is clear that the Surface 8 Pro is a fully capable notebook replacement, and with a docking station and a larger monitor and a Bluetooth Keyboard and mouse, it becomes the perfect desktop system as well.
Since I have two more years of warranty left on my Dell Latitude notebook, it makes no sense to buy a Surface 8 Pro today. That said, their is value to using the Surface RT as a companion device when I don't need full all the bells & whistles. The Surface RT permits me to access my employer's Citrix environment so I can access all my critical applications and IE 10, and cloud storage meets most of the rest of my needs. Far better than my iPad or my Kindle Fire ever did.
It is clear that the Surface 8 Pro is a fully capable notebook replacement, and with a docking station and a larger monitor and a Bluetooth Keyboard and mouse, it becomes the perfect desktop system as well.
Since I have two more years of warranty left on my Dell Latitude notebook, it makes no sense to buy a Surface 8 Pro today. That said, their is value to using the Surface RT as a companion device when I don't need full all the bells & whistles. The Surface RT permits me to access my employer's Citrix environment so I can access all my critical applications and IE 10, and cloud storage meets most of the rest of my needs. Far better than my iPad or my Kindle Fire ever did.
Ok, I can understand the whole Modern vs Desktop view, and maybe it is slow to switch. I also can understand if battery life is somewhat limited. Outside of that I am curious about the software situation.
I know that Microsoft has fewer title names than iOS or Android, but numbers don't tell the story. What apps are missing or what can you not do because there isn't a current app is more important.
Years ago Apple was arguing that while they had fewer software titles than Microsoft, but how many word processors do you need? And they emphasized the quality of the apps over quantity.
For example, one Microsoft Office takes the place of a dozen word processors.
So I am genuinely interested in what applications or category of applications are found lacking.
I know that Microsoft has fewer title names than iOS or Android, but numbers don't tell the story. What apps are missing or what can you not do because there isn't a current app is more important.
Years ago Apple was arguing that while they had fewer software titles than Microsoft, but how many word processors do you need? And they emphasized the quality of the apps over quantity.
For example, one Microsoft Office takes the place of a dozen word processors.
So I am genuinely interested in what applications or category of applications are found lacking.
I know I said I was done commenting, but hopefully this will prove helpful.
Here's a quick list off the top of my head, all of which is based on my experience with Surface RT (which I own), and from the perspective of tablet use. Since the Pro essentially runs the majority of the Windows desktop catalog, I assume I'd be set for productivity:
- Tablet-based/finger friendly email client. I don't compose many emails on a tablet, but do browse, delete, and "triage" email. The "mini outlook" in Metro stinks, not sure how "real" Outlook works on Surface Pro, but I would assume I couldn't get in there, check my email, delete the unimportant stuff, and get out in under 30 seconds.
- WSJ exists on Surface, but doesn't seem to work offline or mirror the actual paper the same way the iOS and Android versions do
- No decent RSS readers that I've seen
- No top-flight task manager that lets me use a "Getting Things Done"-style organizational scheme (I used Toodledo on the iOS side)
- TripIt/Kayak are there, but a bit weak
- Evernote is not as good as iOS/Android
- No mind mapping tool that I'm aware of
- Limited mapping, especially offline (helpful when going to another country)
Here's a quick list off the top of my head, all of which is based on my experience with Surface RT (which I own), and from the perspective of tablet use. Since the Pro essentially runs the majority of the Windows desktop catalog, I assume I'd be set for productivity:
- Tablet-based/finger friendly email client. I don't compose many emails on a tablet, but do browse, delete, and "triage" email. The "mini outlook" in Metro stinks, not sure how "real" Outlook works on Surface Pro, but I would assume I couldn't get in there, check my email, delete the unimportant stuff, and get out in under 30 seconds.
- WSJ exists on Surface, but doesn't seem to work offline or mirror the actual paper the same way the iOS and Android versions do
- No decent RSS readers that I've seen
- No top-flight task manager that lets me use a "Getting Things Done"-style organizational scheme (I used Toodledo on the iOS side)
- TripIt/Kayak are there, but a bit weak
- Evernote is not as good as iOS/Android
- No mind mapping tool that I'm aware of
- Limited mapping, especially offline (helpful when going to another country)
A tablet, by its definition and form factor, is designed for consumer use; and to a limited extent, as an auxiliary computer to laptops or desktops for business/enterprise users. So, depending on one's computer needs, a tablet may or may not be appropriate. There is just no way of getting around the fact that its keyboard can't compare to those used with laptops or desktops. [If and when one adds on a "full-size" keyboard to use with the tablet, because serious data-entry is necessary, you end up with a two-piece laptop.]
Yep, dump that Apple hardware for some real hardware that will works with a real operating system. I stuggled with a MacBook Air and pitched it because of lackluster performance, WI-FI and bluetooth. Tried using it on a trip to Malaysia and Singapore, frankly is was worthless except for viewin video and reading. I opted for a Kindle Fire for longer battery life for reading and viewing movies. My feeling about MacAir Book... beauty is only skin deep. I switched to the iPad and must admit it's a pretty good platform when wandering about and using cloud services. When back in my office, it's back to my trusty quad core Dell laptop where I have some some real local storage. Needless to say once ASU qualifies the PRO, I'd dump the iPad.
Did Microsoft make the mistake of inaccessible batteries? So often, having a 2nd charged battery and being able to start each day with 2 batteries can be the best answer.
I have an iPad and the Surface. I like them both; however for work-related use I prefer the Surface. It's note taking features and the Notepad application make it my first choice for work. I can live with the power issue; in a perfect world power would not be an issue, so that is ok with me. And the keypad is not bulky compared to iPad keyboard cases I have tried...and I've tried quite a few.
Thanks, Patrick. People asked you if you'd be getting one or not, and you say no, and tell why - it doesn't meet the needs for your preferred way of working.
Fact is, it doesn't meet mine either for similar reasons. But the note taking features, the promise of real/full windows apps (we'll see), and the pen (!) mean I'm going to give it a try, and maybe it'll be worth it enough for me to change my preferred way of working...just a bit.
I'm sure I don't have to tell you, but you can ignore the fan-boy comments and those who post negative opinions telling you they don't want your opinion...
As for me, I need the flexibility that an Android gives currently. So my tablet of choice, at least prior to hands-on evaluating a Surface Pro, is an Android device. Your opinions and preferences will give me something else to test on the Surface when I get the chance.
Everyone is a fan of what they like. Everybody should be encourage to use what fits them best. My wife is best served by an iPad, and my daughter by an iPad mini. We all run Macs, with Windows in a virtual machine so we have the best of all worlds right at our fingertips. That's the way we work, that's our preferences. We're all fans of being productive and the platform that gets us there is the best one - for us.
Fact is, it doesn't meet mine either for similar reasons. But the note taking features, the promise of real/full windows apps (we'll see), and the pen (!) mean I'm going to give it a try, and maybe it'll be worth it enough for me to change my preferred way of working...just a bit.
I'm sure I don't have to tell you, but you can ignore the fan-boy comments and those who post negative opinions telling you they don't want your opinion...
As for me, I need the flexibility that an Android gives currently. So my tablet of choice, at least prior to hands-on evaluating a Surface Pro, is an Android device. Your opinions and preferences will give me something else to test on the Surface when I get the chance.
Everyone is a fan of what they like. Everybody should be encourage to use what fits them best. My wife is best served by an iPad, and my daughter by an iPad mini. We all run Macs, with Windows in a virtual machine so we have the best of all worlds right at our fingertips. That's the way we work, that's our preferences. We're all fans of being productive and the platform that gets us there is the best one - for us.
Lets face it, the Microsoft Surface line didn't cut it. It was a nice start down the right path for Microsoft, but its a path that has been well traveled by others for years now. The Surface RT should have been priced at about $249, $299 tops. It's got good hardware specs, looks classy, but lets face it. Windows RT needs some tweaking, the Appstore needs to grow, developers need to jump on board before out of the gate you price compare to the ipad line. iPad is the priciest out there, and why is that? Because its the best out there, (no i'm not an Apple fan boy, I own Android tablets in the Nexus line, and a Thrive.) Bottom line is for the Surface to be a success it needs to be lowered in price to allow adoption, which might help developers jump on board as well! Sales were lackluster, so they put in retail stores against other hardware partners wishes, and sales still are lackluster. This remind anyone of the great HP Touchpad liquidation? Microsoft, get a clue! An $800 Pro version is not the answer.
This article articulates a biased preference of one user who is obviously (and for mind boggling reasons) an Apple fan.
Plan remote meetings (save costs where possible), shut off the laptop and make eye contact with customers in meetings, then maybe things will be a lot more productive and you could listen to itunes better.
Having a little fun...
Having a little fun...
Microsoft is a punching bag for these apple boys, they cover up probs with apple but come out against Microsoft in a vociferous manner.
Patrick, I wonder what your clients think. From looking at Prevoyance Group's website, I get the impression that you are a one man shop. If that is the case, I think it's been fairly well communicated that this product was never meant for you. It's designed to be integrated into a Windows domain environment. Furthermore, as a consultant whose own website states that your clients are "Past clients include Baker Hughes, CA (formerly Computer Associates), Gillette, Nissan, OfficeMax, Pitney Bowes, SAP and other Fortune 500 and 1000 companies", I would think you would have written this article about how this soon to be release product will fit into those environments. You know, the ones intended for the Surface Pro. When I hire consulting firms, I could care less what they use personally. What I want is for them to help me decide which products are best for my company.
Great journalism. The author decided without even TRYING the product that it's not good for him. This shows how much WE can trust HIS journalism - and to be unbiased in future reporting.
You are supposed to try something and then confirm that it doesn't suit your purpose before you say a single word are you?
Isn't that not only wasteful but very expensive?
I don't need to go out and buy a F1 Ferrari to know that the wife will be unable to take it to the shops and stuff all of her shopping in it so it's useless to her for her needs. Why is it any different to say the same thing about any bit of Tech? The 3 Hours of battery is a killer for me and for that reason alone puts the Surface Pro off the Must Have list of things that I want to play with after shelling out my own funds to get one.
Personally I buy what suits my needs and not what quite obviously will not suit them and I consider every factor of each and every item. It does however depend on what you need as apposed to want though as way too many people think that they need something justify that need to themselves incorrectly and then buy it and then try to make it fit the way that they work. Great if you are a seller of the stuff doesn't really matter what it is as you get a sale but terribly wasteful and it ends up giving the product a bad name if a lot of people buy something that they can not make it useful to themselves.
This is what Apple has done right the iToys are not Tech they are a Fashion Statement and not actually really meant to do anything other than look pretty and be a Status Symbol so you must have one or more where as any Real Tech needs to fulfill a need for that person and that is the reason why you should or should not buy one.
Trying to deride a person because they don't have a need for any device is nothing more than Downright silly and is more of a reflection on the person complaining rather than the Sensible Person who realizes that any particular device doesn't suit them personally.
Just because something is available doesn't mean that you have to buy it and more importantly if you do buy it and it doesn't suit your needs what it say about you?
If you believe that just because something is available you have to buy it, I have a Bridge for sale it's well maintained and only used by a Little Old Lady on her way to church on a Sunday. I am selling if for 25 Billion so pony up the money and it's yours. Yes I know you can not move it and it's in a different country to you but how dare you imply that you don't have a use for it you have to buy it as I want the money I'll get from selling it.
Col
Isn't that not only wasteful but very expensive?
I don't need to go out and buy a F1 Ferrari to know that the wife will be unable to take it to the shops and stuff all of her shopping in it so it's useless to her for her needs. Why is it any different to say the same thing about any bit of Tech? The 3 Hours of battery is a killer for me and for that reason alone puts the Surface Pro off the Must Have list of things that I want to play with after shelling out my own funds to get one.
Personally I buy what suits my needs and not what quite obviously will not suit them and I consider every factor of each and every item. It does however depend on what you need as apposed to want though as way too many people think that they need something justify that need to themselves incorrectly and then buy it and then try to make it fit the way that they work. Great if you are a seller of the stuff doesn't really matter what it is as you get a sale but terribly wasteful and it ends up giving the product a bad name if a lot of people buy something that they can not make it useful to themselves.
This is what Apple has done right the iToys are not Tech they are a Fashion Statement and not actually really meant to do anything other than look pretty and be a Status Symbol so you must have one or more where as any Real Tech needs to fulfill a need for that person and that is the reason why you should or should not buy one.
Trying to deride a person because they don't have a need for any device is nothing more than Downright silly and is more of a reflection on the person complaining rather than the Sensible Person who realizes that any particular device doesn't suit them personally.
Just because something is available doesn't mean that you have to buy it and more importantly if you do buy it and it doesn't suit your needs what it say about you?
If you believe that just because something is available you have to buy it, I have a Bridge for sale it's well maintained and only used by a Little Old Lady on her way to church on a Sunday. I am selling if for 25 Billion so pony up the money and it's yours. Yes I know you can not move it and it's in a different country to you but how dare you imply that you don't have a use for it you have to buy it as I want the money I'll get from selling it.
Col
You are right for the entire first half of your argument; you fail when you hit, "This is what Apple has done..." While I realize that the iPad doesn't meet YOUR needs, but that doesn't mean it's strictly a "fashion statement" because quite honestly it can do "Real Work" very well, just differently from a desktop machine. Until you realize and fully understand that a tablet is not intended to replace a full desktop/laptop machine, you simply won't understand what makes the iPad so popular. This is the same reason why Windows failed for so long on x86 tablets and convertibles. The software of the desktop OSes simply aren't touch centric and as such makes using them much more difficult with desktop apps. Windows 8 offers a means to have Mobility and Desktop on the same device which is an excellent concept that will work better than any previous system, but the high resolution combined with high ppi means desktop fonts will be too small for easy reading and navigation. A larger machine or lower native "resolution" will moderate the issue but only a context-sensitive OS that either understands the surrounding environment or is physically selectable between Mobile vs desktop/tabletop use that prevents desktop use when being operated in the hands will the system really be more user friendly. What I'm trying to say is that when you're walking down the street or driving a car, you need the display as simple and easy to use as possible; when sitting as a passenger or at a table/desk, then the full power of the device can be brought to bear. Windows 8 begins to offer this ability, but too many people are trying to use it the way they're used to using their laptop/desktop--emphasizing the weaknesses without recognizing or using its strengths.
Personally the Fashion Statement was meant more for the Apple True Believers who simply have to have one because it's made by Apple, well Foxconn for Apple at least. 
Personally I wasn't thinking of the iPad when I wrote the above though I should say there are quite a few people End Users that I know who are using their iPads instead of a computer. They have replaced their computers with a iPad completely and personally they drive me nuts but maybe that's just me.
The Apple stones are an interesting place to visit I should also add they are nothing if not different and while I could easily live with the layout and the staff the cheering every time someone buys and attempts to walk out the door with something new I find takes more than a bit of getting used to. Personally I think that the staff need Certifying when they carry on like that but I realize it's just me and my friends who are in the Public Mental Health Department so maybe the entire staff of the local Apple Store will get out of the Mental Health Hospital in the next few months after they have been cured of their issues.
However before the iPad Apple products where much more of a Fashion Statement or Status Symbol than a real bit of Tech. Even the last generation iPhone which didn't get a signal because it wasn't being Held Right was another example of how not to design things but how to con people into believing that they had something great even though they didn't know how to hold it.
Anyway this Blog is nothing more than an Opinion Piece about why a Surface Pro will not suit Patrick and it gets under my skin when I see responses like that posted above. I see it much more as Reading Ability 1, Reading Comprehension a very high minus score.
Col
Personally I wasn't thinking of the iPad when I wrote the above though I should say there are quite a few people End Users that I know who are using their iPads instead of a computer. They have replaced their computers with a iPad completely and personally they drive me nuts but maybe that's just me.
The Apple stones are an interesting place to visit I should also add they are nothing if not different and while I could easily live with the layout and the staff the cheering every time someone buys and attempts to walk out the door with something new I find takes more than a bit of getting used to. Personally I think that the staff need Certifying when they carry on like that but I realize it's just me and my friends who are in the Public Mental Health Department so maybe the entire staff of the local Apple Store will get out of the Mental Health Hospital in the next few months after they have been cured of their issues.
However before the iPad Apple products where much more of a Fashion Statement or Status Symbol than a real bit of Tech. Even the last generation iPhone which didn't get a signal because it wasn't being Held Right was another example of how not to design things but how to con people into believing that they had something great even though they didn't know how to hold it.
Anyway this Blog is nothing more than an Opinion Piece about why a Surface Pro will not suit Patrick and it gets under my skin when I see responses like that posted above. I see it much more as Reading Ability 1, Reading Comprehension a very high minus score.
Col
My major gripe about any of the Apple or Android offerings is real productivity software and printer support. Although in some cases they have USB, they cannot truly print to a printer unless it has another computer running to support the printer. Both Cloud and wifi for those products print to another computer which in turn sends information to the printer. Yes there are some HP and others with a computer in the printer that will work, but that entails carrying a printer with you. I want to print to just about any printer out there with or without another computer tied to it. This has caused me to hold on to my outdated HP TC1100 tablet. It has abysmal battery life. (3-4 hours at best) but does have capabilities of hot swapping of batteries. The question I want answered is what is the battery life of the Surface PRO and whether or not it has printer support, which I would hope it does. This is just an opinion piece and does not have an actual review of a product. I can write an opinion about a lot of things that I have not seen or tried and they would not be accurate. This article is a waste of peoples time. We need a review of the Surface Pro from an objective, hands on trial. Then I can see if it would really do what my old TC1100 can and improve battery life and size.
What dock? This is the first reference I've seen regarding a dock. Have I missed something?
... we have about $600.00 worth of disposable income a month. And that goes towards food, fuel and entertainment each month. And as you can guess, after food and fuel, there isn't much room for entertainment. At any rate, though I would dearly love to buy a Surface Pro, i've looked closely at the Surface RT. I'll hopefully be able to convince the wife that we can swing a Surface RT when we get some other bills paid off. In looking at the RT a lot and talking to owners of the platform, for the limited amount that I use our laptop, I think I'll be more than happy with the RT box.
Rather than carry a laptop around, it might be better to investigate the availability of a spare power source.
I believe the Acer Windows 8 tablet has a detachable keyboard that also serves as a second battery.
I would rather have the spare battery / keyboard over an iPad and a laptop.
As for apps, I believe that MS will catch up. How long did it take Android to catch up to iPad?
I believe the Acer Windows 8 tablet has a detachable keyboard that also serves as a second battery.
I would rather have the spare battery / keyboard over an iPad and a laptop.
As for apps, I believe that MS will catch up. How long did it take Android to catch up to iPad?
You're saying that the surface pro "TABLET" wont suit your "COMPUTING" needs? The difference between a tablet and a PC is not clear to you yet?
If so, then what do you think it is? An entertainment device? A communications tool?
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