Microsoft has been rumored to be releasing their very own tablet for some time now, and it seems, for once, the rumors have shown themselves true. So, what are the details?
First off, here's the video showing off the new hardware, full of bouncing Buckeyballs and rotating tablets. True to form, Microsoft has pulled out another good looking piece of hardware (Zune HD, anyone?), this new selection called Microsoft Surface (after the somewhat niche computer-in-a-table product). There's a selection of images you can peruse over here. The spec sheet (sparse as it is this early on) is here.
The first thing that really stands out about the Surface is the cover. Apple's folding Smart Cover doesn't hold a candle to the functionality of the Touch and Type covers, the first being a touch sensitive keyboard complete with multi-touch trackpad. The Type cover offers a more traditional keyboard with buttons, as well as the trackpad. The tablet has a built in kickstand to keep the tablet upright for typing. Unlike your standard Bluetooth keyboard you'd need to lug around with your tablets if you really wanted to do some real typing on it, this is a keyboard that you really want to carry around with you, the Touch adding only 3 mm to the total thickness of 9.3 or 13.5 mm thickness of the Surface itself. Speaking of versions, the first runs on Windows RT (the ARM version of Windows 8), and the second runs on Windows 8 Pro. The x86-based offering has higher capacities, a bigger battery (though it's unknown how long it'll actually run, and x86 eats more power than ARM), some nicer ports (USB 3.0 instead of 2.0), at the cost of slightly greater thickness and weight, 903 grams to 676. Both have a 10.6" screen at 16:9 aspect ratio, though no resolution has been announced. The x86 version also comes with a stylus.
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This looks so promising. Hopefully it doesn't become another Zune HD - great hardware and software, but not enough marketing/support. I'd buy one to upgrade my ICS kindle fire for sure though. The pro edition looks extremely promising for students imo
This could be great! I will def pick one up if my netbook ever fails. Also hoping the tragedy of the Zune doesn't carry over to this. I'm actually quite surprised that they would do an Ipad competitor considering they gave up on Zune. Maybe if this does well we will get a new PMP.
This has honestly been disappointing news for me... Why? because this isn't fresh innovation. It was clearly inspired by all the giant phones that have been labeled tablets in the last 1 to 2 years. I don't care who makes the thing, whether it's Apple, Samsung, or even Microsoft. It's too similar to a phone. That being said, I'm not installing Windows 8 on anything but my tablet PC, since it came with Windows 7 starter which is a worthless OS. Other than that, all my computers will be running Vista, 7, and XP.
This has honestly been disappointing news for me... Why? because this isn't fresh innovation. It was clearly inspired by all the giant phones that have been labeled tablets in the last 1 to 2 years. I don't care who makes the thing, whether it's Apple, Samsung, or even Microsoft. It's too similar to a phone. That being said, I'm not installing Windows 8 on anything but my tablet PC, since it came with Windows 7 starter which is a worthless OS. Other than that, all my computers will be running Vista, 7, and XP.
Really? I've never seen anyone solve the input problem as elegantly as this device does; everyone else does a separate device or one of those kind-of-laptops that can flip over so the back of the screen covers the keyboard or back of the device. It's much larger than your average Android tablet, and word is that it won't have cellular data, just Wi-Fi. This puts it pretty firmly under tablet rather than a phone. It just so happens to be more versatile than your average tablet.
Maybe not then at that price.... you can get a pretty good laptop for that price..
"Prices competitive with the iPad."
Makes appropriate sense. Your reasoning is recognized, though the portability and design may be fitting for those looking to spend this much on a tablet PC.
Having a full-flung OS in a tablet is pretty appealing to me. Along with the fact that it also packs an i5 processor (in Pro version).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Locke
Really? I've never seen anyone solve the input problem as elegantly as this device does; everyone else does a separate device or one of those kind-of-laptops that can flip over so the back of the screen covers the keyboard or back of the device. It's much larger than your average Android tablet, and word is that it won't have cellular data, just Wi-Fi. This puts it pretty firmly under tablet rather than a phone. It just so happens to be more versatile than your average tablet.
I believe (since MS is looking for an entire ecosystem transformation) that if you need to make use of broadband, you'll just tether the device (via hotspot, bluetooth or what have you) to your Windows 8 phone for cellular data use.
Microsoft announces their own Windows 8 tablet
