Page 1 of [VIDEO] New Microsoft Tablet (Surface)

Sports Windows 8, keyboard in the magnetic lid, built in stand...
http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en/us/default.aspx

i think this (the pro version at least) would tempt me into buying a tablet
for the first time.

Ste
My Flickr Photostream

Journos are raving about this - although no one has got their hands on the finished article yet, no prices announced, etc.

That is a thing of beauty.



"Talking`s for lesbians" Psycho Paul 2011.

Say hello to the iPad killer...

J Mark Oates

Still think the Transformer Prime is the `sexiest` tablet at the minute.  Tf700t for me hopefully soon. :)

Ste

I`ve got the original Transformer and TBH it`s a bit of a disappointment given the hype.  As good as ICS is as an OS, the apps available on Android Market are fairly hit-and-miss.  I know I`m a bit boring talking about productivity software, but for me the big deal breaker about Android kit is the lack of a decent word processor.  There are apps - the built-in Polaris Office which has compatibility issues with M$ Office; the overpriced Documents To Go; the current best of: Kingsoft Office, but none of them are just right.  Surface will come with a built-in mobile edition of M$ Office which I why I suspect journos are salivating about it.

The really weird thing about the Transformer is that it feels as if it works best with the keyboard attached - it has better battery life thanks to the keyboard auxiliary battery - but that turns it into a Android-based netbook rather than a proper tablet.  Remove the keyboard and you have something as slick as the iPad, without the closed borders mindset.  You can access files off USB or MicroSD (although the implementation of the filing system can make that a little weird - some apps can`t directly access external storage and you have to use the file manager app as a middleman).  The problem, of course, is where do you stick the keyboard while you aren`t using it with the tablet?

EDIT:  I think the thing that`s going to make or break Surface is going to be the price point.  Judging by the slick video I have an awful feeling they`re going to aim it at the top end of the market - £800 to £1000 - and nobody will buy it.  They need to underwrite the cost of the machine to a certain extent and bring it out around the £299 mark, which will kill the opposition dead.

J Mark Oates

This item was edited on Tuesday, 19th June 2012, 20:15

Quote:
Mark Oates says...
They need to underwrite the cost of the machine to a certain extent and bring it out around the £299 markDespite the fact that they can `freely` absorb the whole cost of the OS - that other manufacturers can`t do, it`ll still be at least double that.  They`re being very cagey (silent?) on things like screen resolution and battery life though...

Ste

I read that the ARM version of it will be 1366x768 and the Intel (x86) version will be 1080p
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/375325/microsoft-surface-the-key-specs-and-photos
Unless they match (or undercut) the price of the iPad then it`s not going to do as well (in my view). 
They also need to be very careful of introducing fragmentation and confusion with running two architectures (ARM v x86) with `normal` users not realising that they can`t have one application because they don`t have the professional version.

Totally agree miles.  The other thing is the 1080p thing.  A few tablets recently claim the 1080p thing - meaning they can output it to a full HD screen - not necessarily display it.
Fragmentation = bad.
1366 x 768 for a totally new larger than iPad screen = poor too.
Intel one quite thick too.

Ste