Microsoft Surface (and Surface Pro) Tablet

[ItsThere]

So what does everyone think of this? Been looking at the news stuff today and it seems ok, more than an iPad? Less than an iPad?

Hyprid tablet / laptop?

Clearly it isn't going to be running Diablo 3 well on its current specs but would anyone be tempted to get one?

EG link for those that won't - http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/df...-spec-analysis

[bash]

Not enough specs out yet, we dont know the battery life, price, screen res's. Also the name sucks and Im not sure it was a good idea to release 2 versions. If the Pro version is going to be priced like an ultrabook (say ?600+) then I'd rather wait next year and get a proper ultrabook with a detachable touchscreen.

Still, Im glad the windows eco system is finally getting bigger, hopefully this will stifle Apples dominance and produce stronger competition with advancements like longer battery life and higher res screens as well as moving on from LCD onto Oleds.

[eastyy]

Lol when i saw that couldnt help but think what trey parker said at the microsoft e3 conference

not a fan of laptops or pads in general though suppose its because i just dont need the portability and i would much rather us that same money to get a kick ass desktop pc which would have far far higher specs for the same price plus upgradeability

[Decider-VT]

Happy that it exists and I like the hardware design, kick-stand er... notwithstanding. It'll be interesting to see how Surface will be used with XNA, as people familiar with the API just got a non-phone Windows platform with a touchscreen that they'll be able to develop for and work on. I'll have reservations about buying a Pro unit until prices are announced, though.

[originalbadboy]

Happy that it exists and I like the hardware design, kick-stand er... notwithstanding. It'll be interesting to see how Surface will be used with XNA, as people familiar with the API just got a non-phone Windows platform with a touchscreen that they'll be able to develop for and work on. I'll have reservations about buying a Pro unit until prices are announced, though.

XNA isn't supported on Windows 8, not for proper marketplace metro apps. If you want to develop on Windows 8 with the marketplace in mind and with the new wiz bang interface then you have to go down the dirty C++ DirectX route to develop games, although normal apps have lesser restrictions. The XNA guys are not happy about it if you visit the forums.

It's no real surprise the M$ are entering the tablet wars as well. I don't think its going to dent Apple's share that much because all the rabid apple fanboys would buy a **** in a box from Apple as long as it was covered in brushed aluminum and had the logo on it.

However in the corporate space (which is where the real money is) tablets with Windows 8 is the next big thing without a doubt. I think it will be popular in the consumer space as well though as long as the price is kept reasonably low. They are not going to sell many of them if the tablets cost ?600+, hence why they are are two versions.

Windows 8 offers something that neither Apple nor Google can really offer at the moment, an OS that supports hybrid devices, where you can actually use a device as a tablet and a laptop, and still have both decent tablet apps and desktops apps at the same time. It probably wont appeal to the non techies but its definitely the way forward.

[MartyG]

I'd be surprised if XNA wasn't updated in the future to support Metro. XNA still runs on Windows 8.

Without a price it's difficult to make a judgement on the MS tablets. They look quite nice (horrid keyboard colours that make my eyes bleed aside), although ASUS got there before MS with the whole tablet/laptop transformer thing.

Battery life (especially on the i5 version) and price is going to be the deciding factor I'd reckon.

[EvilBoris]

This is far less exciting than I was expecting it to be. I thought the actual Surface table was returning

As it turns out it's just an "official" windows 8 tablet/ultrabook just the like other countless ones that have already been announced. I take it this is running the WOA version of the OS (Windows on ARM)? (Just read that the surface pro is x86, so it's just the regular one thats is arm)
Does this do anything different or is it just the posterboy the oncoming onslaught of Windows 8 media?

Like this

[Dogg Thang]

Well I do love my iPad and it would take a lot to make me consider switching. And given the messy hell that is modern Outlook, Word etc I don't exactly have faith in Microsoft that I'd get a smooth experience. But I do love that keyboard in the cover idea. Some iPad cases have Bluetooth keyboards but nothing as flat and nice as that. In terms of a selling feature, I think that's a real plus. Sure we get used to typing on the glass (typing this from iPad right now) but having the screen clear and a more traditional keyboard setup seems like a great move to me.

[Wil]

It looks nice and the keyboard/case thingy is a nice touch but I just don't trust Mickeysoft to do anything right so I'll stick to my iPad thanks.

[EvilBoris]

The Various Zune's they made were really good

[ETC]

The Various Zune's they made were really good

Having used a Nokia Lumia for a little while I can say if if they can get something decent together it will sell the Zune software was so much better to use than that pile of ****e iTunes

[EvilBoris]

I'm in the cynical camp that says that the windows version of itunes is made deliberately ****e, so people think that macs are awesome and stable and invincible.

I wouldn't mind Itunes if it wasn't for it's random freakouts.

The Zune software is loads sexier than itunes though.

[FelixofMars]

I don't understand why? I would think most people have a SmartPhone, Laptop or tablet now or all three. Is it really worth adding this to the mix? I think like the Zune they are on the bandwagon too late and I have very little interest in Windows Metrosexual so I am out.

[GluedOnBeard]

I'm in the cynical camp that says that the windows version of itunes is made deliberately ****e, so people think that macs are awesome and stable and invincible.

I wouldn't mind Itunes if it wasn't for it's random freakouts.

The Zune software is loads sexier than itunes though.

Doesn't the software also hog far more resources than iTunes too? In a mac environment as well iTunes fits right in, it could probably do with being switched for windows however.

[Brad]

Regarding iTunes it's my understanding that the mac version was written by apple but the windows one was bought in and tarted up and called iTunes. No idea where I got that from mind!