DBSTalk Forum banner

Microsoft Surface

13K views 110 replies 32 participants last post by  naijai 
#1 ·
Microsoft reveals its own Windows 8 tablet: meet the new Surface for Windows RT

Microsoft announces Surface for Windows 8 Pro: Intel inside, optional pen input

Microsoft Surface tablets: the differences between Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro models

Surface for Windows RT tablet
•Processor: NVIDIA-made ARM chip
•Weight: 676 grams
•Thickness: 9.3 millimeters
•Display: 10.6-inch ClearType HD capactive touch panel
•Battery: 31.5Wh
•I/O: microSDXC, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2x2 MIMO antennae
•Software: Windows RT + Office Home & Student 2013 RT
•Accessories: Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand
•Capacity: 32GB / 64GB
•Availability: 10/26/2012
•Pricing: Starting at $499

Surface for Windows 8 Pro tablet
•Processor: 3rd Gen Intel Core i5 Processor with Intel HD Graphics 4000, 4GB RAM-Dual Channel Memory
•Weight: 903 grams
•Thickness: 13.5 millimeters
•Display: 10.6" ClearType Full HD Display, 1920x1080 pixels, 16:9 (widescreen), 10-point multi-touch
•Battery: 42W-h
•I/O: microSDXC, Full-size USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, 2x2 MIMO antennae
•Software: Windows 8 Pro
•Accessories: Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand, Pen with Palm Block
•Capacity: 64GB / 128GB
Cameras and A/V: Two 720p HD LifeCams, front- and rear-facing with TruColor, Microphone, Stereo speakers
•Availability: "Three months after" the Windows 8 launch this fall
•Pricing: To be determined
 
See less See more
#103 ·
hilmar2k said:
So did you give that same advice when the iPad came out?
Yes, but in the case of the iPad I recommended 3rd party coverage as it was most often better and available for longer periods.

That said Apple's reputation for quality is very much better than Microsoft's when it comes to hardware. And the price to entry for the iPad is about half the entry price to the SurfacePro, which I think has to be taken into consideration.
 
#104 ·
lparsons21 said:
Yes, but in the case of the iPad I recommended 3rd party coverage as it was most often better and available for longer periods.

That said Apple's reputation for quality is very much better than Microsoft's when it comes to hardware. And the price to entry for the iPad is about half the entry price to the SurfacePro, which I think has to be taken into consideration.
Well, the quality of the software is way better with Apple, too, another consideration.

I was surprised it was priced higher than iPads, esp. by quite a margin.
 
#105 ·
You really can't compare the SurfacePro to an iPad, the RT is the better comparison.

The SurfacePro is more closely related to an ultrabook with touch than it is to a standard tablet. And I cannot imagine many selling without one of the keyboard addons as so much of the heavy lifting software requires it. Actually I don't think the Pro will get any better traction in the market than the RT has gotten.
 
#106 ·
The bottom line is that there are only a couple true business tablets out there right now, the Surface Pro and and Acer Iconia W7. There are more coming.

I am holding out for a Core iX tablet with Windows 8 and a full docking station. The Iconia comes close, but their Cradle doesn't have video out. Right now my computer is an older ThinkPad that sits in a docking station on my desk when at work, connected to a 20" monitor, printer and a wireless keyboard and mouse. It leaves with me. I want a tablet to replace that. They are getting very close. I think the Surface Pro is a great step in the right direction, but I will end up with something else (unless there is a docking station made available for it).
 
#107 ·
lparsons21 said:
Creating or heavily editing a Powerpoint presentation is certainly better done and easier on a more conventional setup of keyboard/mouse. Touch is of no real value for that and certainly not on a very small screen.
Never seen a person that grew up with the touch sensitive screens do that have you? My 23 year old secretary can fly through modifying and vetting my PP presentations / speeches on her tablet faster then I have seen people that use a keyboard and mouse combo
 
#109 ·
wingrider01 said:
Never seen a person that grew up with the touch sensitive screens do that have you? My 23 year old secretary can fly through modifying and vetting my PP presentations / speeches on her tablet faster then I have seen people that use a keyboard and mouse combo
Yeah I have seen someone that only uses touch but I've never seen one do as you describe unless the ones using keyboard/mouse combo were dunderheads. :)

I had an HP Touchsmart for awhile that I got for a specific purpose. Didn't work out for what I wanted it for as the form factor and my organ just didn't get along very well.

But I did some twiddling with the touch apps that came with it. Loved a few of them, but the conventional apps just weren't useful with touch imo.
 
#110 ·
lparsons21 said:
Yeah I have seen someone that only uses touch but I've never seen one do as you describe unless the ones using keyboard/mouse combo were dunderheads. :)

I had an HP Touchsmart for awhile that I got for a specific purpose. Didn't work out for what I wanted it for as the form factor and my organ just didn't get along very well.

But I did some twiddling with the touch apps that came with it. Loved a few of them, but the conventional apps just weren't useful with touch imo.
I can assure you I have 40 years in IT the last 15 doing computer forensic's security for medical related research organizations and been working with home computers since the commodore pet in 1977 and am not a "dunderhead".
 
#111 ·
I picked up my surface pro yesterday and so far i am enjoying it very much.
The only thing right now that i do not like is the power supply but understand again it is a full laptop. So i will be getting a second one to carry around.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top