Microsoft Surface

It's not a Microsoft Surface but a similar technology around multi-touch by Perceptive Pixel. http://www.perceptivepixel.com/

here's two videos of CNN using what they call the "Magic Wall".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb5g19Nn4Cc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQQ7bT1IHrA

It's baaaaack!

I'm sure a lot of the tech is the same, it's just a different form factor. If I remember, the surface table was Win7 with custom apps, while this just looks like their take on an Asus transformer with Win8.

I know it's supposed to be a tablet with an optional keyboard, but I can't help thinking that that showing it as a laptop will do them harm for how they've made it.

The 'kickstand' combined with a bulky 'screen' and a light keyboard (inverse to a laptop), combined with a lightweight link between the two components means you need that stand to keep it stable. What I think will be a problem is that when used in a laptop form that it will be awkward, used stationary in one position on a table it'll be okay, but when you move it around ("take a look at this" - turn laptop around) that stand is going to get in the way, or you try to use it on a lap it doesn't have a weighty base and again that awkward stand. They're working against physics and ergonomics, making the best of a bad situation. The alternatives seem to be using a stronger joint between screen and keyboard (whichever one holds the heavier computing parts).

At least it's no Windows 7 party.

Both have USB. The ARM version USB 2, the Intel version USB 3.

Which makes the idea of using a 360 controller with one very interesting.

They also both have microSD. The x86 version the newer microSDXC with higher capacity.

Agree with Scratched. That ad makes it look like an ultra-light laptop. They need to show someone using it.

I do think the keyboard/cover is pretty awesome, though. Wonder if works well.

I'm wondering/hoping that the 3 month delay for the x86 is due to a wait on Haswell chips with the improved GPUs. That would make for a decent little mid ranged gaming device. Just pack your Xbox controller.

Early adopters beware. Never forget the Red Ring of Death.

It probably helps to think of Surface as the reason for Windows 8. So it's a both/and. It can be a straight tablet, or a laptop replacement, depending on how you use it.

So you could have a bunch of locked down Windows 8 Pro Surface units in cubicles somewhere, or use it like you use a Kindle or iPad.

I can't see tablets or touchscreens invading a cubicle farm any time soon. I think there's room for something other than a full featured typical office PC, but more towards terminals.

To be fair to Microsoft, most of their hardware has been just superb. The Sidewinder Force Feedback was one of the best joysticks you could buy, their mice and keyboards are freaking everywhere (and super reliable) and even the Zune was apparently a little marvel of hardware engineering. The Marketing department screwed up the Zune, not the hardware guys.

Microsoft is quite capable of making excellent devices. Where they have problems is that they're in a constant internal turf war. Everyone sabotages everyone else's products, and Ballmer lets them get away with it. So they come out with excellent stuff that, if it's any more complex than a keyboard or a mouse, runs into endless software problems.

For many years, you could not download the Sidewinder Force Feedback drivers from Microsoft. You had to have the original disks, or you were screwed.

I guarantee you that this tablet is going to get screwed up badly in multiple areas, deliberate acts of internal petty sabotage.

We all know why the 360 was released with serious issues. They were trying to beat Sony to market. Had they not had the RRoD, Sony would have been knocked out. As it is, they have just positioned themselves to make a big leap next Gen.

But Malor is right, MS hardware tends to be really well done. Its why I am much less worried about the Nextbox. I'm confident that it will be released on a much less aggressive timetable.

And it sure seems like Surface is not being pushed out aggressively either.

I'm really intrigued by the Surface and that keyboard cover is utterly brilliant marketing and/or design (assuming it works well). That being said, apps are the key, and there's so much out there already via the Apple app store, Google, and even Amazon that there's so much ground to make up. Microsoft's done a glorious job of trying to shove its media offerings down everybody's throats in the past, which has helped run all sorts of things into the ground. If they try that here . . . well, they're screwed.