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Topic: Laptops

Microsoft Surface tablet

Summary: A quick visual tour of Microsoft's Surface tablet announced June 18, 2012, Los Angeles, California.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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A quick visual tour of Microsoft's Surface tablet announced June 18, 2012, Los Angeles, California.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer holding a Surface tablet.

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Topics: Laptops, Hardware, Microsoft, Mobility, Tablets

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12 comments
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  • Junk.

    Count me out. I truly hope this POS and WIN-8 fail miserably & bigtime, to teach MS a serious lesson. They probably won't, but one can still hope.
    js@...
    Reply 1 Vote

    • And what, pray tell, is the lesson Microsoft is supposed to learn?

      That Apple makes a great tablet that is being purchase instead of entry-level Windows notebooks, or as an add-on device to an executive's Windows notebook? Microsoft already knows those things.
      M Wagner
      Reply Vote

    • Junk?

      Not really. They're consumer products aimed at the general public, which isn't particularly tech savvy and wants computers that are easy to use and not confusing.
      They sell like hotcakes because they do what they say on the tin.
      I think your ICT needs are more specific and probably better served in the niche or high end market..
      Antaine O'Labhradha
      Reply Vote

  • Gee, everyone wants the iPad and almost no one wants Android tablets ...

    ... so why shouldn't Microsoft jump in?
    M Wagner
    Reply Vote

    • nexus 7

      nexus 7 has changed the playing field. it's trending on twitter, google+ and for all the right reasons.
      cultavix
      Reply Vote

      • It's "trending" because it is an Android competitor to the Kindle Fire ...

        ... that sells for as little as $199. For consumers, PRICE is the "right reason".
        M Wagner
        Reply Vote

      • I sent my Nexus 7 back

        I played with an iPad 2 for 2 weeks. Then I bought a Nexus 7. It only took me a few hours to know I wanted an iPad 3. But the iTunes interface is so suffocating compared to Windows Explorer, and the iOS is so limiting for true enterprise work, I cannot wait to ditch the iPad for a real Windows tablet.
        Norman Willis
        Reply Vote

  • Screen size?

    The tablet is 10.6 x ??
    Serton
    Reply Vote

  • size ok

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    Zhenxi My
    Reply 1 Vote

  • First and foremost, traditional Windows OEMs have no experience with ...

    ... ARM tablets so they have no business complaining about this consumer-oriented device.

    Second, historically Windows OEMs have always priced Windows "tablets" out of reach of most consumers.

    Third, Microsoft can better control its tablet costs with a single supplier than dozens of Microsoft OEMs can all competing against one another - and Apple!

    Fourth, the Surface tablets we have seen represent clearly defined "reference models" which offer mid-range features which can compete with Apple at Apple price-points. Traditional Windows OEMs will have the opportunity to compete by offering both lesser (entry-level, 1024x768, atom-powered, Windows 8 Home) tablets, netbooks, and notebooks and by offering deluxe, enterprise-level Windows 8 Pro tablets, notebooks, and ultrabooks with high-end processors and lots of options.

    Fifth, right now Microsoft is interested in taking on Apple - not Android. Let's face it, Microsoft cannot compete with Android on price. It is simply business they don't want. Android vendors represent a fraction of the tablet market. If (or when) Microsoft offers ARM tablet makers the opportunity to become Windows RT OEMs, many of them who are currently making Android devices might be be likely to abandon Android in favor of Windows RT. That's not good for Android and in the long run, it is not good for Microsoft. Pricing pressure is on the Android tablet makers. And that is where Microsoft needs it to be while they are taking on Apple at moderate price-points ($500 to $900).
    M Wagner
    Reply Vote

    • I agree. I think MS is doing the right thing

      I think people's main objection to Metro is the fact that it is so mugly. If they would just dress up the icons to make a pretty interface, they're old probably lose 95% of the complaints. Who wants to look at primary colors and neons, when the Scrapple interface is beautiful, and their products are sleek, and svelte?
      Norman Willis
      Reply 2 Votes

  • Going to Surface dive...

    I will sell my HP Touchpad 32 since HP has now officially abandoned OPEN WEBOS. The updates that are coming out won't work on your existing equipment. I have used all of Microsoft's iterations of the Operating System since DOS and continue to do so daily. I will check out the Surface. Won't be buying anything HP. They may drop it, and you, like a hot rock after a couple of weeks. At least MSFT is the devil I know.
    dadogg2
    Reply Vote
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