Microsoft Surface

Currently no tablet has actual networking. WP7 doesn't have it either. Basically, it sounds like it will be in there but I'm not sure it will. MicroSD cards are more flexible but also more expensive and smaller capacity. Hence why I prefer standard SD.

EvilHomer3k wrote:

Currently no tablet has actual networking. WP7 doesn't have it either. Basically, it sounds like it will be in there but I'm not sure it will. MicroSD cards are more flexible but also more expensive and smaller capacity. Hence why I prefer standard SD.

The Surface Pro is a full blown Windows 8 x86 install. You can do networking just like any install of Windows 8, which is very similar to Win 7 in that regard.

The basic Surface itself is Windows RT, which has been shown to have Windows Explorer from the desktop and I think maybe some kind of basic file browsing via Metro (not sure about that side). So it should be good as well.

As for the size and cost of microSD, they are currently a bit behind, but that gap isn't what it used to be. I saw a 32GB class 6 microSD card for sub $15 this week.

As soon as they showed Office during the presentation, it was clear they weren't going after the iPad market. It might seem like it, but that's not how MS works. It's always about using their software, with an emphasis on work related stuff, on a platform that they have.

I can't wait to play Torchlight 2 on my SurPro.

While that's a little more than I'd hoped, it's not too surprising. I think I'll wait for the OEMs to release their Pro models and see if their prices are less.

MannishBoy wrote:

I think I doubt even MS knows exactly what they'll price these for at this point.

Yeah. With the content of the article I should have stuck a great big question mark on the end there. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if MS 'leaked' some prices out to gauge reactions.

I think I doubt even MS knows exactly what they'll price these for at this point. I think they were vague intentionally to gauge interest and give the ultrabook/tablet markets to price adjust a bit more as Win 8 gets closer to release.

That said, $1000 for a high res ultrabook is about in line with current prices.

I think more people are going to compare form factor to technology.

MannishBoy wrote:

I think I doubt even MS knows exactly what they'll price these for at this point. I think they were vague intentionally to gauge interest and give the ultrabook/tablet markets to price adjust a bit more as Win 8 gets closer to release.

That said, $1000 for a high res ultrabook is about in line with current prices.

It could be that they are leaking rumours to test public intrest.

I know that at $1000 i am thinking I will wait for other manufacturers and see if anyone comes in cheaper. It's just not a laptop. I should not be expected to pay that.

groan wrote:
MannishBoy wrote:

I think I doubt even MS knows exactly what they'll price these for at this point. I think they were vague intentionally to gauge interest and give the ultrabook/tablet markets to price adjust a bit more as Win 8 gets closer to release.

That said, $1000 for a high res ultrabook is about in line with current prices.

It could be that they are leaking rumours to test public intrest.

I know that at $1000 i am thinking I will wait for other manufacturers and see if anyone comes in cheaper. It's just not a laptop. I should not be expected to pay that.

The Win RT tablets aren't going to be $1000, but when you've got all the features of a laptop for the x86 tablet, I don't see how it will be cheaper than competitive ultrabooks. And high res i5 ultrabooks are currently more than $1000.

I'm sure prices will trend down between now and release of these. But I'm not expecting to see the x86 versions for $700.

Jayhawker wrote:

This is what I saw.

(Reuters) - Microsoft Corp is looking at making its own smartphone to kickstart sales of its Windows mobile software, according to a Wall Street analyst who has followed the company for many years.

The talk - unconfirmed by Microsoft - comes a day after the company unveiled its latest Windows Phone 8 software, and the same week it announced an own-brand tablet, signaling a break with 37 years of focusing on software and leaving hardware manufacturing to its partners.

MS says it's not planning on doing that.

I'd totally pay that price for the Surface Pro. x86 Windows on a ~11" tablet with a (hopefully awesome) keyboard/cover at less than two pounds? That's like my dream device (don't hurt me).

I gotta say, all I really want is that sweet MS keyboard cover for my iPad. Is that wrong?

General Crespin wrote:

I'd totally pay that price for the Surface Pro. x86 Windows on a ~11" tablet with a (hopefully awesome) keyboard/cover at less than two pounds? That's like my dream device (don't hurt me).

I'll only hurt you by twisting your arm so I can steal it from you. I loved the original tablet laptops and one in a modern tablet form factor would be awesome.

*Edit: My biggest concern though is that the battery will only be standard laptop strength. It needs to be comparable to the iPad's battery performance for it to compete for me.

About that keyboard, are people really chomping at the bit to type on a thin and totally flat bit of plastic with no physical features to guide your fingers and no tactile feedback, compared to tapping on a screen or a real keyboard?

It's kind of nice they've integrated it with the cover, and it would be fine for short typing tasks, just as screen input is, but it doesn't do anything for me for 'serious' typing.

As far as typing goes, if my official Apple bluetooth keyboard had a physical on-off switch so I could ensure that it wouldn't turn my iPad on in my bag, it'd be damn near perfect. That keyboard cover does nothing for me, but it does look snazzy. Also, it makes the pictures of the device look much like a laptop.

Serengeti, there's a similar cover for the iPhone from, um, I think it's Zagg.

Ah, here it is.

Serengeti wrote:

I gotta say, all I really want is that sweet MS keyboard cover for my iPad. Is that wrong?

Don't you know what happens when you cross the streams?

Scratched wrote:

About that keyboard, are people really chomping at the bit to type on a thin and totally flat bit of plastic with no physical features to guide your fingers and no tactile feedback, compared to tapping on a screen or a real keyboard?

It's kind of nice they've integrated it with the cover, and it would be fine for short typing tasks, just as screen input is, but it doesn't do anything for me for 'serious' typing.

That's why they also make the real physical key keyboard cover, too. My concern with that one is size.

General Crespin wrote:

I'd totally pay that price for the Surface Pro. x86 Windows on a ~11" tablet with a (hopefully awesome) keyboard/cover at less than two pounds? That's like my dream device (don't hurt me).

Yep. The only thing my current tablet (Motorola Xoom) is weak at is games. If I can have the same form factor and be able to play some of my PC games I'm there!

Serengeti wrote:

I gotta say, all I really want is that sweet MS keyboard cover for my iPad. Is that wrong?

Only insofar as they refused to let anyone use it during the launch, so it's pretty questionable if it even works right now. But I'd love to try one myself.

Parallax Abstraction wrote:
Serengeti wrote:

I gotta say, all I really want is that sweet MS keyboard cover for my iPad. Is that wrong?

Don't you know what happens when you cross the streams? :)

Nothing bad? I use the Microsoft Bluetooth keyboard for my iPad all the time, and I love it. It's mostly flat but the little curve it has to it really makes a huge difference. The only problem I have with it is that it doesn't fit in any case or bag for the iPad properly so I have to haul a bigger bag, but I'm working on a DIY solution for that.

TheCounselor wrote:

As far as typing goes, if my official Apple bluetooth keyboard had a physical on-off switch so I could ensure that it wouldn't turn my iPad on in my bag, it'd be damn near perfect......

The Microsoft Bluetooth has that and works great with my iPad. Look here. Your hands will thank you.

momgamer wrote:

The Microsoft Bluetooth has that and works great with my iPad. Look here. Your hands will thank you. ;)

Ooh, I swiped one of those on my way out from my last gig. I never thought of using it with the iPad. Gotta try that tonight.

*Edit: Woo! It works amazingly. Awesomesauce.

Yellek wrote:
momgamer wrote:

The Microsoft Bluetooth has that and works great with my iPad. Look here. Your hands will thank you. ;)

Ooh, I swiped one of those on my way out from my last gig. I never thought of using it with the iPad. Gotta try that tonight.

*Edit: Woo! It works amazingly. Awesomesauce.

Just remember the Windows key is the equivalent of the CTRL key on the iPad OS, so instead of CTRL+C to copy, it's Windows+C. It took me embarassingly long to figure that out.

momgamer wrote:

Just remember the Windows key is the equivalent of the CTRL key on the iPad OS, so instead of CTRL+C to copy, it's Windows+C. It took me embarassingly long to figure that out.

Thx for that tip! I'm forever mixing up CTRL+C and Command(?)+C between having Windows at home and Mac at work. Now I get 3 ways to confuse myself!

Scratched wrote:

About that keyboard, are people really chomping at the bit to type on a thin and totally flat bit of plastic with no physical features to guide your fingers and no tactile feedback, compared to tapping on a screen or a real keyboard?

It's kind of nice they've integrated it with the cover, and it would be fine for short typing tasks, just as screen input is, but it doesn't do anything for me for 'serious' typing.

After reading all the stuff about Surface, I feel the same way. I think if I get anything, it will be that ASUS Transformer with the keyboard extension.

But maybe it's just not for me. I'm not being hyberbolic when I say I literally can't think of a single reason why I would need or want a tablet for anything.

They will have 2 versions of the keyboard cover - one is flat and the other has some definition to the button areas, so it won't be "totally flat with no physical features".

kuddles wrote:

I think if I get anything, it will be that ASUS Transformer with the keyboard extension.

I'm with you, but I'm not seeing any 4G-like connectivity. Which means I'm going to have to change my smartphone to get a Wi-Fi hotspot through 4G

Was listening to the podcast discussion on the Surface and was a little sad that most of it centered around the limitations of the ARM/RT version, which in my opinion should come out AFTER the Pro if at all. Unless there is some magic in WindowsRT that I don't know about it's just Microsoft's iOS with limited multitasking.