Posted on 06/19/2012 5:24:06 AM PDT by C19fan
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has an uphill battle on his hands. He needs to break into the tablet market, taking on both the iconic market-leader, the iPad, as well as as an ever-burgeoning range of svelte Android tablets. However, after Microsoft's repeated attempts over 30 years to break into the tablet market, it now seems the software giant has the right tools to make it right. The Microsoft Surface tablet was officially unveiled in Los Angeles last night, and from the favourable first impressions, it looks like we have a three-way race in the tablet market. The Surface comes with a 10.6" screen, a clever magnetic cover which doubles as a keyboard, and a kickstand to hold it upright on a table. In a huge paradigm shift for Microsoft, the traditional Windows Desktop has been scrapped for Microsoft's new 'Metro' tile-based theme.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
LOL. I don’t even know what one of those things is! I’m still using a superfast PC and an ancient clamshell phone:
http://www.cnet.com.au/nokia-6060-240055284.htm
I’m so far behind “the times”, it’s pitiful.
As much as people hate Microsoft, more competition is better for the consumer (aka lower prices).
——Too late to the game to be an iPad killer, but I can see this easily taking a lions share of business sales as it has tons more business functionality than the iPad.-——
That seems to be the driver, since it’s their core business.
I love the idea of a tablet that doubles as a laptop. Two devices for the price of one.
Interestingly, I bought a Targus Bluetooth keyboard for my HP tablet. With the keyboard, it serves as a web-surfing/email tool, with a very small footprint. It doesn’t take up a lot of space —about half the space of a laptop. Perfect for the kitchen table or counter. The stand is elegant, but all tablets should have kickstands. Adding desktop functionality would be fantastic.
We also have a laptop, desktop, and smartphones (for 4 computer users). Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
I like my ipad alot, but they sure make you buy a lot to make it complete. I do like that everything drops in to my iphone. But, it also lacks a lot of options. For instance, when I am throwing out my trash in mail, if I accidently trash one I did not mean to, I have to go to my trash and resend it to myself. (of course I have not gone to any classes, so maybe there is something I don’t know) Also, if I type something and accidently delete it, I can’t hit the undo and get it back. There are other things.
Microsoft does indeed have a shot at a big win here - the iPad is nice, but no matter what people say, in its current iteration it is NOT a business tool. If MS can produce a truly functional business tablet allowing access to corporate networks and Exchange, AND keep the price point below the iPad, they’ll own the business tablet world.
If I can hack Xubuntu onto this, it’ll be a perfect replacement for my netbook.
Is it going to be x86 or ARM?
You’re right - the iPad is a toy. Microsoft’s tablet will run a full version of Windows 8, with Office.
I am running Windows 8 right now. Even in a preview release, it blows away OS X. Apple’s new version just adds some more iOS bits in order to sell more phones. The iPhone is Apple’s latest cash cow, and they want to milk it hard. Microsoft has actually innovated with their new OS. It is visually stunning. Instead of the same tired old thing that you see in OS X, Windows 8 goes in a new direction that I think consumers are going to love. Microsoft is about technological innovation, while Apple is about marketing and selling overpriced devices.
One of each. The first models, scheduled for October will be ARM. The Pro models are supposed to be released about 3 months later, and will be x86.
I would love such a tablet. A tablet version of MS offices, especially MS Outlook connected to an exchange network, would be great. However, I'll wait for version 3.0 before I consider buying. Until then I'll make do with my IPad.
My brother-in-law is a diehard Ipad owner. He was playing around with it after Sunday dinner once.
I played dumb and asked a few questions....
“That thing got a keyboard?”
“Uh, no”
“USB ports”
“Nope”
“What about a card reader?”
“No, no card reader”
“Can you upgrade the battery or memory or storage?”
“Nope”
“Does it run Flash?”
“No, it can’t run Flash”
“Can you download 3rd party apps and run them?”
“Not unless they’re in the Itunes store.”
“What’d you pay for it?”
“$500”
“Hmmm”, I said. “I only paid $299 for my netbook, plus $30 for an upgraded battery that lasts 7 hours...”
He paused for a minute.
“When you put it like that, I’m not so glad I got this thing,” he said.
Later on, he got a case for $75 that had a keyboard built into it. I said, “Congratulations! You’ve just built a very expensive netbook!”.
Microsoft’s record at competing with Apple is not the best...remember the Zune that was supposed to sweep away the I-pod? Apple has a real advantage in that all its phones, I-pods, I-touch and I-pad products share I-tunes which offers thousands of popular apps. Android based products haven’t caught up with this number of apps and Microsoft would have to build its own I-tune interface if it wants to compete.
Windows is also a non-starter. I don't want a virus launching platform, and I don't want to give up CPU cycles, battery power, storage space, and network bandwidth/download time/bytes to keep antivirus software running and up to date.
Besides, as a long time Linux user, I now find it easier to work in Linux than in Windows.
I’m not spending that kind of money on a tablet for it to be taken down by a virus in the first month. I’ll stick with Android.Now that’s funny right there!
This is GREAT!!!! Now, not only can I be expected to be in contact with the office and my boss 24 hours a day, everyday, via my smart phone, now I will be expected to work 24 hours a day, everyday, via my new Windows tablet. My wife and family will love watching me work...
/sarcasm
As of iOS 5, no you don't. Of course, if you want to import your own movies and songs, you'll need to use iTunes, but otherwise you can activate and use the device independent of any other computer.
But this article's about the Surface, so back on topic. At this point, we simply don't know enough to fairly judge the Surface. The announcement should technically be classified as vaporware because it didn't include nearly enough information for people to come up with informed opinions -- no price, no mention of street date, and very thin description of tech specs. The fact that MS themselves were warning that even those limited specs could change should raise some eyebrows about why they'd be announcing the product if they haven't finalized the design.
Also, it's fairly risky to put so much emphasis on a differentiator (the keyboard) that's an accessory and one that will likely be cloned for other devices before you even get yours out to market.
We're also talking about two entirely different machines here. The ARM-based system is the true "tablet" model, to compete against the iPad and Android tablets. The "pro" Intel version is more reasonably considered an ultrabook with a touch screen, and will compete against ultrabooks and the MacBook Air.
Windows is also a non-starter. I don’t want a virus launching platform […].There is nothing about Windows that makes it a “virus launching platform.” Things were different with Windows 95/98/ME, but today’s Windows descends from Windows NT, not those DOS variants. If you keep your software up-to-date and keep patching security holes, you are no more likely to catch malware than on other well-known operating systems. Vice versa, if you do not patch your software and operating system regularly, you will become infected on other operating systems, too. Google for “Android” “malware” or “Android” “virus,” for example.
and resolution. No mention of screen quality.
Next iPad comes out in 9 months. M$ just said “we’ll have a tablet someday”. May as well have said “here’s our lunch, please eat it already.”
“Microsoft’s tablet will run a full version of Windows 8, with Office.”
M$ has been running Windows on tablets for over a decade. Got nowhere.
The mistake in that is assuming that this is inteneded to be a direct competitor to the iPad. It is not, because it is also aimed at business. The ARM devices, which will be the ititial offering will be in the consumer/enterntinament market and will be comparable to the iPads. The x86 based Pro models that will run full versions of business apps are not competeing with the iPad, becuase they're targeted at different market than the iPad was designed for and targeted at.
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