Discussion on:

Surface Pro preview: Triple-play UI is its best innovation

I agree with a lot of what was said and I am excited about the future of Windows computing. As a first effort this device did well but it is not perfect.

One of the benefits of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 over Apple's OSes is that there will be many different hardware devices to choose from. As Jason pointed out there are Lenovo offerings that may be even better than the Surface. The same is true for the phone market. My iPhone 4 has a 3.5" screen. That is too small but now I have the ability to buy an iPhone 5 with a 4" screen. That is not really much of a choice. With Android phones you can choose from 10s of different phones ranging from 3" to 6+". Hopefully the range of hardware for WP8 will expand after MWC. Anyway my point is that for Windows 8 Pro you will have as many choices in hardware from as many different companies as you do for Android phones. That is powerful.

There will never be the perfect device that satisfies everyone. Personally I don't care that the Surface Pro won't stand up on my lap, but the screen size (for me) is too small. I probably won't buy this version of the Surface Pro. I will keep watching for the perfect device for me to come out and then get it. In the future I would definitely consider getting a MS Surface product if the specs fit my specific needs.

They will not be a factor and you will not have to use them. This is truly a day to rejoice

I seriously got excited when i saw the amount of effort Microsoft has put in for Surface. Like any other company a complete upgrade should include everything that comes under brand standard. Happy to see that Microsoft has done a pretty good job. I was a iPhone user then iPad, then switched to Galaxy S , Galaxy S ii and as a tablet I bought a motorolla Xoom.So from Apple I switched to Google about 2.5 years ago . The problem is, I got sick of Apple and Android after few months. For Apple, (being an enterprise professional) I could not do any of my work stuff. But, thanks to Apple for bringing in such awesome innovation which changed the industry. The problem with Android is, it always felt like a very bulky OS and with lots and lots of security hole.I have used Froyo, GIngerbread , Icecream sandwitch and Jelly bean for little bit. Yes, they have improved but I don't see why this bulky os (just look at what this os needs hardware wise quadcore ? come on give me a break. We can run servers on dual core) should get any enterprise love. I personally think it's probably good only for personal usage.The motorolla Xoom was horriable. The problem with tablet was, most of the apps were built for smaller screens.Liked the idea of widgets but as I said, I liked the idea not the widgets.Oh.. just quickly, I will have to mention XDA-developer, These guys are pretty good. If you are an Android user you should know them.

So, I donated my Xoom and Galaxy S II to my brother (year 10) and iPad for my 4 year old son. I thought they are more suitable for that age group. Light browsing, Youtube, Facebook and games that all I could find on those three devices. By then I went back to my HP 2950p with SSD with 6GB Ram with 3ghz i7 and installed windows 8 consumer preview and then Release preview. I have to admit that Windows 8 OS (let's not waste time on taking about the Metro-tiled UI, i found it useful sometimes) is the smoothest OS I've seen in last 4-5 years where I can actually do my proper work. This is exactly why I got so excited when I saw Surface will have a pro version and it really felt like I found my loved one back . I wanted a portable device which would be lighter than my Laptop but I would be able to get some work done in a fly plus, it will have to look cool. Surface pro is the answer. Thank you Microsoft +Windows+ Surface team for putting up the hard work. I don't mind Microsoft update patches because I'm used to it. Also, they showed Apple and Google what and how and guess what? they are realising updates in every three months too. I beleive that nothing is perfect in this world and when it comes to an OS there are always so many things invoved that can always be optimized. So patching is the only option to push it on right?

Ultra Book.

You might as well just buy a nice Samsung Touch Ultrabook, and get a double play interface.

Better battery life, and the full whack of usable memory.

With the battery weight, Surface sounds like a "brick" or at best a lugable.

Once again, Microsoft drops the ball. Wow!

Good for MS. Nice work. Still, it sounds like you have described a new laptop with limited battery life and a high price. I'm sure it will do fine in the marketplace... Apple proved lots of people have lots of money they are willing to spend. Over time, concentrated effort on the hardware will improve battery life, and in 5 years, when we have fuel cell batteries, no one will care. Price will probably come down to lower levels when the line differentiates and when volumes go up, too. Meanwhile, its chief appeal will be to IOS/OSX/Android haters and MS Fanbois, and folks stuck in a Win frame of mind. That is a lot of people, though.

Good Article but I am not tempted to change my Surface RT for the Pro version. I have all the benefits that the RT has to offer and I can access to my corporate emails via the mail client. If I want the power of a PC or need to use applications that are not available to RT, I just connect to my Windows 8 PC via VPN and use the Remote Desktop App.
This way, I get the best of both worlds.

I'm sorry, but for a proposed cost of around 750 - 1000, this is a ridiculously overpriced offering.

Yes, we should be able to attach it to our corporate networks and use it as a docked PC which can be taken away, but apart from that? The RT is pretty much useless in a corporate environment, again, it's Microsoft at their corporate best. Persuade us that we need it, then stuff us over cost.

Overpriced compared to What? an iPad??? Could I use an iPad as a Desktop? Does it have anywhere near desktop computational capabilities? Are there any desktop app that will run on an iPad. Didn't think so. I actually own an iPad 3 and find it totally useless.

And Google??? Good luck with that. Even if I could get past their privacy policy I can not get past an inferior OS.

I will be using the Surface Pro as my main Desktop system connect to three 1200x1920 24" displays.

I priced building a desktop machine with and i3 mobile processor and no OS and it was about $700 buying the parts from Newegg or Amazon.

An i5 mobile processor would add $100 and Windows 8, idk, at least $100?

The way I see it the 10" display is free perk. And when I travel for an extended period of time I take my desktop machine with me. Just the side panel to my current Dell desktop weight 7 pounds. I know this because I leave the side panel home so the weight does not go over 50 pounds for the CPU.

For some reason people compare this to an ipad instead of a laptop. This is a full PC and for some reason reviewers are surprised when business customers are optimistic about the device. Oh yeah and lets not forget the guy you are responding to was simultaneously referring to the price of the pro and the functions of the RT and clearly has no idea what he's talking about. Any I.T pro or business user who needs a laptop for work applications on the move would take this device in a heatbeat. It's a good deal more useful to me than a standard laptop due to the added functionality of a hardware digitizer for stylus input etc.

1. I was not comparing it to an iPad. That was an assumption made by Patrick.
2. The prices are in GBP, not Dollars. for some reason, the pound sign does not work in this forum, that's perhaps where your confusion lies.
3. As for having no idea what I'm talking about, I've been an IT professional for over 20 years.

I certainly meant no offense but perhaps my comment was a little harsh - I was spurred by your apparent vitriol based on an assumed price with no apparent reference to what the device is and why it would be. Lets do what everyone else does and compare it to an ipad with a 450 price tag and then consider this is a device that provides that tablet usability and adds on a full laptop/desktop capability and the proper stylus input. If you don't think it's worth the money that's fine but I certainly do. Naturally I'd be over the moon if it were cheaper but I'm considering this as a laptop "with extra" and therefore extra cost. Speculated prices around 750 are a price point we'd be comfortable with when considering replacements for laptops for users though - or in lieu of a desktop replacement. The benefits of having a tablet type device we can properly manage with all our existing tools and suites and the wealth of added value they bring is an extremely enticing prospect. I've tried some business offerings from toshiba etc but they fall short without options for 3g models and no digitizer etc so far so haven't been too impressed.

If you are an accountant, or paper pusher, then I agree that this is a good choice. BUT if you actually use a computer for things that are processor intensive, i.e. Architect, Engineer, Scientist, etc. it is meager at best. this form factor doesn't offer a significant reduction in size, weight, or processor speed over a laptop or other notebooks, (so what it runs windows 8). this is a "feel good" idea to try to recapture former glory. will not get past the 4th quarter 2013. Isn't released yet, and already, the tech elite reviewers are dissing it. If the "experts" are split, what about "joe consumer".

would think that this machine is adequate for an architect, engineer, or scientist? - no one but you - I think.
Architects and engineers use CAD software and need large screens. Scientists crunch numbers and use modeling software that requires a faster processor, more RAM and powerful graphics.
A Surface Pro could be a supplemental computer for architects, engineers, or scientists when they are away from their desk (presentations, note taking, meetings, remote desktop) but it is not for heavy lifting.
That's like asking a truck driver if he could "make do" with a mini Cooper.

Compared to what we use as desktop machines. We currently buy i5 machines with dual head video and 4gb RAM for 300gbp direct from HP. We can buy i5 laptops for around 500gbp. The surface pro is going to be twice that amount.

There is a lot of good information in these posts but each seems to pick up only on bits and piece and there's an inherent cross-communication of data being presented.

First, please note that the Surface Pro, while it has the capability to replace a desktop, may not necessarily be the best option for all users. When I was working as a CAD software designer, high-end graphics and mathematical computational speed for multi-caluculations were essential needs. I am not aware that Microsoft has ever touted such claims about their Surface Pro, and I am sure that there are a number of other industries and user types which would find the current hardware specs of the Surface Pro to be quite inadequate for their daily needs.

Here are some points for real Apples-to-Apples comparisions when deciding whether and iPad or Surface Pro suits your needs better:

The Apple iPad runs only Apple Apps, not Mac programs; The Surface Pro runs full Microsoft Programs. I have also read articles that say the Surface Pro will still be able to run RT Apps but I currently cannot find a confirmation for that.

The basic Microsoft Surface Pro comes with 64GB of storage for a retail price of $899; The basic Apple iPad (with retina display) comes with 16GB of storage for a retail price of $499. If you want to upgrade that model to 64GB it will retail at $699 (the iPad 2 is not availabel in a 64GB option). However, this upgrade still does not open up access for you to run Mac programs on your iPad. Also, the Surface Pro reserves much of the 64GB storage for operational overhead so that only about 30GB remains available for the user but for an additional $100 you can purchase a Surface Pro with 128GB RAM which leaves about 90GB free to the user.

iPad (w/Retina display) specs.....................Surface Pro specs

weight = 1.44 pounds..................................Weight = 2 pounds
9.5"h x 7.31"w x 0.37" thick.........................10.81"h x 6.81"w x 0.53" thick

9.7" diag display..........................................10.6" diag display
2048 x 1536 resolution................................1920 x 1080 resolution

Lightning connector, Micro-SIM..................Full-size USB 3.0, MicroSDXC,
and headset ports.......................................headset, mini DisplayPort ports

Battery life up to 9 hours............................Battery life up to 4+ hours

(Of course, these are just a few key specs of the two units. )

So as you can see there is a trade-off between an app-based "utility" tablet and a PC-based tablet. This is why the Surface Pro is bigger and weighs more (to acomodate PC accessory ports), the resolution is standardized (to conform to PC application needs), the battery life is less (more things going on at the same time), and total user-accessible storage is less (to accomodate the OS resource needs).

When deciding "which is better" you need to first ask yourself if you are looking for a tablet which acts like a lighter, more portable version of the laptop or desktop you are accustomed to using... or, are you looking for a tablet which is more recreational in its functions. Yes, there are iPad apps which can emulate functions to those you might find on a laptop or desktop PC but there are many, many more functions and programs which an app-based tablet cannot begin to replace. So the choice really boils down to what do you NEED your tablet to do for you?

You are comparing a desktop to a mobile computer.
You pay a premium when you need mobile computers because the components have to be smaller. A desktop does not have that same restriction so components are cheaper.

Desktops and mobile computers perform different functions.
Would you carry your desktop to a meeting?
Would you carry it out of the office?
Would you use it in an airport while you wait for your flight?
Comparing the two devices by price is absurd.
I can buy 200 Pez dispensers for 500gbp but if I need a mobile computer, I am not going out to buy Pez nor will I buy a desktop.

Then don't build a PC. There's no way on the planet an i3 system costs $700. Here, for example, is an i7 system, complete, for just over $700:
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-AME600-UR378-Desktop-Black/dp/B009AAU9TI/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360156243&sr=1-5&keywords=i7+pc

Including Windows 8. That took me 10 seconds to find. There are plenty of uses for an Ultrabook like the Surface Pro, but as a desktop. That's beyond stupid. There are plenty of laptops with the same CPU in the $500 range that would make a far better desktop, as well.

If you are a fan boy for microsoft, not nearly as cool.

Just curious...I was hoping to do the same thing