Microsoft Surface Could Totally Change the Tablet and PC Markets

PCWorld ^ | Jun 21, 2012 | Tony Bradley

[SmokingJoe]

The Surface tablet unveiled by Microsoft at its mysterious event in Los Angeles this week looked very impressive. It obviously faces very stiff competition from the Apple iPad—which dominates the tablet market. But, there’s a very good chance that businesses will flock to the Surface (or other Windows 8 tablets) if Microsoft delivers something close to what it presented to the media.

I am a huge fan of the iPad, so I don’t make that claim lightly. I have owned all three iterations of the iPad thus far, and I’m not prepared to abandon the New iPad any time soon. That said, I also love Windows, and I appreciate that businesses that rely on Windows PCs and Windows-based applications would love to have something like an iPad that also happens to be Windows. As it happens, I’m also in a position to compare the two side by side…almost. I don’t have a Surface tablet, but I do have a Samsung Series 7 Slate PC running the latest Windows 8 Release Preview. As far as devices actually available today to the general public go, this is about as close as you can get to what you can expect a Windows 8 tablet like the Microsoft Surface to be. --------snip------- The iPad is a tremendous device for working on the go, but it requires a lot of “duct tape and chewing gum”. You have to find apps and workarounds that let you be productive until you can get back to your “real” PC, and find ways to smoothly integrate and sync data between the two. But, with a Windows tablet you just use the same tools and software you always use.

[Incorrigible]

The Windows Phone 7 is awesome too!

[Astronaut]

I am using Windows 8 right now on my ThinkPad. What an amazing operating system! A huge leap over Windows 7 and OS X.

[OldEarlGray]

>>A huge leap over Windows 7

How so? Thinking of upgrading.

[dayglored]

How does Microsoft plan to keep their hype about these vaporware tablet products at such a fever pitch for the 3 months it takes for one to appear, such that people are still interested and not burned out or bored.

I mean, I really think it's a great design and hope it does well. But geez, I wish the fanbois would give it a rest until the thing is REAL.

You can only scream "OMG! WOW! OMG! THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING! OMG! OMG! WOW!" for so long before people start walking away....

Just sayin'...

[Tzfat]

Too funny! Heavier, thciker, non-retina, likely lousy battery life, and likely more expensive than iOS or Android. Yeah, it will change everything...

[bigbob]

kinda reminds me of when the Segway was announced

[Tzfat]

Exactly! I can still hear Bezos making a “Ballmer” of himself. Funny.

[tacticalogic]

I mean, I really think it's a great design and hope it does well. But geez, I wish the fanbois would give it a rest until the thing is REAL.

Agreed, but there's just as many articles out there trashing it on no more evidence.

[dennisw]

You can do the same as me and upgrade to Windows 8 in this quick and easy way

http://www.windows8update.com/2011/05/22/new-windows-8-wallpapers-for-sunday/

[tacticalogic]

It’s starting to look like the MS fans think W8 tablets will be viable and manageble in the enterprise, and the Apple fans are afraid of exactly the same thing.

[battousai]

Amazing; this review is spot on, finally a good balanced look at both platforms. My findings mirror the authors, having worked with each generation of iPad, I too am looking forward to the Surface, which is not a knock on the iPad cause I love it too, but for business use the Surface so far looks to be just the ticket.

[SmokingJoe]

?Too funny! Heavier, thciker,

Chuckle!
I see the Applebots are running as scared of the Microsoft surface tablet as ever.
Reality:
The Windows RT surface tablet is actually thinner than the iPad 3, not thicker. Plus its got MicroSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD VIdeo and 2x2 MIMO antennae for better WiFi performance, none of which the iPad has.
http://www.expta.com/2012/06/windows-surface-tablet-vs-ipad-3.html

“likely lousy battery life, and likely more expensive than iOS or Android.”

Wishful thinking anyone?
Look, I understand if you are running scared of the surface tablet, but you don't gotta keep making things up about it do ya?

[SmokingJoe]

How does Microsoft plan to keep their hype about these vaporware tablet products at such a fever pitch for the 3 months it takes for one to appear, such that people are still interested and not burned out or bored

Apple did that with the original iPhone, which was announced in January 2007, and wasn't released till June 29, 2007. Didn't do them any harm did it?

[dennisw]

You still have time to short Apple before the SHTF

[kdot]

I love my iPad, use it every day and love it for what it *can* do. But every day there is something that frustrates me, wont render, or just doesn’t do. Nothing big enough to kick the iPad to the curb, but enough that I have to keep the Laptop handy. The apps are great, but there aren’t apps for everything. Example for today - got my Merchant account at the bank. I processed my first set of credit card sales and wanted to check my new merchant account report. Sorry, the site uses Flash - had to wait until later and check on my laptop. I get the war with Flash, but am tired of working around it.

So I can’t wait for the Surface tablet that runs Windows and renders all the web sites. I’ll keep the iPad for games.

[Tzfat]

I have been a Windows developer for 20 years. I know FUD when I see it. Microsoft has done some great things in the past... But right now, it is vapor. No price. No specs. Windows 8 draws as many jeers as cheers. Well see. The completion could be good - but it is from Ballmer, so maybe not.

[UCANSEE2]

Thanks for posting the article. May I summarize?

“I don’t have one, but I hear they are great”.

[UCANSEE2]

You can only scream "OMG! WOW! OMG! THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING! OMG! OMG! WOW!" for so long before people start walking away....

[FLAMING DEATH]

It’s funny, because for too long Apple has kept the Ipad “locked down” by only allowing it to run the apps that Apple approves. Have to use Itunes to add files from an external source. Can’t watch certain types of video without re-encoding. And no SD reader or USB port? That’s a joke.

Surface should let you run the same programs that you run on your home or work PC, or anything else you can download for that matter. Meaning, I could put the software on it that I use for work and have a viable tablet solution to do the tasks I do every day. You can add files via USB or SD. Heck, you could take pictures with your digital SLR camera using a full size SD adapter then put the micro SD in your tablet and see or edit the pictures instantly, without having to email them to yourself or going through Itunes. You wouldn’t have to have another computer, period.

I’m not a Microsoft fan, but they hit a home run when they decided to put a desktop OS on their tablet and include an SD and USB port. If Apple had done this from the get-go, I might own an Ipad right now.

I’m still dying to know if I can boot Ubuntu on a Surface, though...