Sorry Microsoft, I am breaking up with the Surface
Summary: I feel like a failure. Despite investing a lot of hours and effort I can't make the Surface work for me. It's not you, it's me.
I'm a tablet guy by anyone's definition. I'm also a mobile tech guy. When a new gadget or technology rolls around I get all excited and grab it to give it a go.
I did just that when the Surface RT tablet from Microsoft became available months after the surprise announcement last year. I tracked the shipment with anticipation after placing my order. When it arrived I excitedly opened the box and fired it up.
Sadly, that was the pinnacle of my excitement. After too many hours trying to make the Surface fit into my daily work routine, I have placed it on a shelf while I use other devices to go about my business.
It's not that the Surface isn't a fine device, it is certainly a nice bit of kit. It's not that it lacks innovation, the slate form with the keyboard cover pushes the envelope.
No, it's not for a lack of effort on Microsoft's part that the Surface doesn't work for me. It's because I require the gear I use to do everything I need and without fuss. The Surface fails me in this regard despite a big effort on my part to make it work.
My inability to leverage the Surface may just be me. I know quite a few owners who absolutely love their Surface and I am happy for them. Perhaps my needs in a mobile computer are so unique that I am the exception rather than the rule.
Whatever the reason, I am tired of constantly trying to get stuff done with my Surface, only to put it away after a few hours in sheer frustration. I can pick up any other gadget in my possession, and that's quite a few, and easily get things done with little effort.
Why does the Surface frustrate me every time I use it? The lack of good apps plays a big role. I have bought too many apps in the hope that one of them will be the one that turns things around, but to no avail. Even the apps that I end up using regularly aren't as good as the apps I use on every other mobile platform. They lack features, waste screen space, and most importantly they insist on grabbing my attention when all I want to do is get things done.
That even applies to the Internet Explorer browser in the Metro interface. There's something about it that has it taking my focus away from whatever I'm doing. It's a touch on the screen that doesn't register as it should or one that causes the accursed charms bar to fly out unintended.
It's the URL address bar at the bottom of the screen instead of at the top where every other browser/platform puts it. It's the way IE keeps open tabs hidden from view and makes me cause them to display to get where I need to be. It's the way that bar stays open at the top until I specifically make it get out of my way.
Many will say these are little things and I agree with that assessment. But they all add up to constantly grab my focus when I need to be doing stuff. Maybe I'm overly sensitive about this but that's the way it is.
I insist that any mobile device I use for work stay out of my way while I'm doing it. I don't want to be thinking about how to get something to happen, I want to just reach out and make it so. I don't want to stop and think if a control is on the left, the top, the right, or at the bottom of the screen. I want it to be totally intuitive so I am always thinking about my writing.
I am sure some will think I'm too sensitive or that I haven't given the Surface with Windows 8 enough time. That may be but I've given it far more time and effort than I've given any other platform and device I've used. It's left me in a continual state of frustration every time I've used the Surface to work and I just can't take it anymore.
It's not you Microsoft, it's me. I know you've given your best effort to make this relationship work but it's in vain. I wish the best for you in the future. You'll get along fine without me.
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Talkback
Stupid seattle metro screen
I am certain they can't figure it out, because it does take some investigating.
Yet another reason to break up with Surface... err, Windows 8.
Better way to put it..
+1
Why is everyone being so rude?
I agree, no need to be rude
This is why we have fanwars
But when people don't admit there side was rude, that there side was mean (I.E. pretty much every side, but still), it makes others NOT want to try that OS just to spite those who were mean to them (Read: That uptight, stuckup, apple user (example) who always replies to a PC problem with "Get a mac").
TBH, I couldn't care either way. But this attitude is wrong and blatantly offencive.
THEIR you go again
Whose you go again?
Bad use of vocabulary
There refers to place: Your car is over 'there'
Correct use - "There" you go again.... Just saying.
Sides?
These machines are just tools. There is no god given right that one must be better than another in some absolute terms. They either do or don't do work for us to some measurable degree. If they offer you enough to get your work done they are a good tool and you should be compelled to use them. Other wise use something else. By definition this means there should be no sides! just pros and cons. Which you must determine for your self!
But then I guess just taking sides is allot less effort than actually really thinking about something!
Believe it or not..
An OS Superbowl
Indication of insecurity.
Suggesting that James doesn't have the intellectual capacity to adapt to something that really isn't that great is frankly childish.
Being Rude Is Not Always Bad
There are a lot of people who absolutely detest what Microsoft is attempting to achieve with the Metro interface, especially the "always in your face." These people are so numerous that, it would have made sense for Microsoft to have given the option to disable it. But Microsoft did not do that, after all most a year of begging and pleading by its own customers.
In situations like this, where respectful dialogue, copious consumer responses, begging and pleading, etc. don't work; the only thing left is to be rude.
At least then, Microsoft can know how you really feel.
What the...
Perhaps you've never seen OS-X
Sorry, Jae K Oh, you need to look at history to see how SJ and Apple works. No other company has done a better job of parting with established technology if/when it makes sense. MS is the ones who compromises the user experience for compatibility.
And if you want real flexibility, you're better off with Linux on the desktop and Android on your mobile...
How could this be
Let me take a quick guess.
Most of the ones who through everything they can find at the Surface doesn’t have a clue about what the Surface is all about. They probably have never used one. It sounds like some of them would do anything they can to make sure the Surface doesn’t sell to prove them right.
The others, the one who writes that they do appreciate their Surface Rt, simply know better.
You don’t have to be a fan of Microsoft to like the Surface but being a hatter for ideological reason will surely prevent you from even consider it. It will also make you write anything here about it… without knowing.
Anyone has the right to like or dislike a product. Same with the liberty of expressing yourself here. Bashing a product without proper knowledge is using liberties whit abuse.
There are 3 classes of people who comment on the Surface RT
2. Bloggers who are paid per click. You get a lot more clicks with "Sorry Microsoft, I am breaking up with the Surface" than you do with "Surface is good. Not perfect but good."
3. People who own a Surface RT and realize that THIS is the device they suffered through ipad ownership waiting for. THIS is the device the ipad was promised to be but never was. THIS is the device that apple will put out in 5 years and people in class 1) and 2) will praise as being an apple invention.
If you want to know what apple will release in 5 years, just look at what MS is releasing today.
Clever article
As far as MS being 5 years ahead of apple. I recall HOPING the Microsoft tablet would make it big. I recall watching someone suffer through it's ownership and obsolescence before the ipad came about.
I think it's the other way around and even then, is Microsoft delivering what apple got right several years ago?
Google is doing quite well at expanding the market and edging Windows out at the same time. It seems google docs has a much better approach that MS is finally coming around to copying.
If you like underwhelming document editing ability