Microsoft Surface (and Surface Pro) Tablet

[Neon Ignition]

I'm finding the netbook to be the better option (at the moment) as this is built around the tablet philosophy which means you're dealing with an inferior keyboard, a kickstand that makes the screen less stable than on a netbook and (unless you're shelling out extra) less functionality. Now, they could surprise, but at the moment the rumoured price points weigh in higher than a decent netbook would cost. There may well be a whole range of devices in time at various price points which address all of those issues and I'd definitely take one of these current ones over an iPad but at the moment these two models don't. I'd hope that the final price points undercut Apple's lineup and MS does a decent job of promoting them as Apple shifts a lot of units largely of image with the purchases business or consumer fairly ignorant of what they're actually buying purely because the front ends easy to use and it's 'cool'

[originalbadboy]

There will be plenty of non M$ tablets doing the rounds in a years time, so I sure there will be something for everybody, its not like M$ are going to be the only people doing this.

[Brad]

[ItsThere]

I proper lolled.

Inversion physics applied.

[Brad]

That's why you need the kickstand, it's top-heavy now :-)

[PeteJ]

I can almost hear the IT departments across the globe cheering that finally a tablet is coming out which is both easy to manage and easy to use.

As nice as the iPad is to use, it's a bugger to manage and make it secure.

[djtickle]

I can almost hear the IT departments across the globe cheering that finally a tablet is coming out which is both easy to manage and easy to use.

As nice as the iPad is to use, it's a bugger to manage and make it secure.

This!

We have 20 iPads at the moment which are a complete pain in the ass to manage. Seeing this we have put a complete hold on them and waiting for the Surface Pro to come out!

[Team Andromeda]

I quite like the look and sound of this . Hope it comes in at a decent price

[Dogg Thang]

It'll be like an iPad with the added joy of closing Java update windows every time you start up.

[Brad]

It'll be like an iPad with the added joy of closing Java update windows every time you start up.

Throw in closing the Adobe Reader update window and I'm sold.

[Team Andromeda]

It'll be like an iPad with the added joy of closing Java update windows every time you start up.

Well as long as it doesn't cost as much, I'll be happy

[Dogg Thang]

In ways, I'm not sure cost is a barrier. Oddly, I suspect they may not do well trying to undercut the iPad unless it really is fantastic and is massively cheaper. If it's just a bit cheaper and there is even the hint of a grey area as to which is better, I have a feeling it will create a perception that the iPad is the better device (even if that turns out to be far from the truth) and once people get into spending hundreds they may well just go for the more expensive option thinking they're getting the best. It will make a difference to some of course but going cheaper may just boost the perception that Apple delivers quality.

If anything, even reading this thread, I could see it working well for them to make it fairly expensive but aim it as the 'iPad for professionals'. The serious version. The choice for people who don't just sit in coffee shops. But that doesn't quite seem to be the idea I got from their presentation.

[PeteJ]

But that doesn't quite seem to be the idea I got from their presentation.

This is the issue of modern Microsoft, they have no idea who they are or who they are pitching at. Just look at their E3 conferences!

[Team Andromeda]

In ways, I'm not sure cost is a barrier. Oddly, I suspect they may not do well trying to undercut the iPad unless it really is fantastic and is massively cheaper

Apple to me are like SONY of the old days and charge ?100 extra for pretty much the same products as their rivals

[bash]

I hope M$ are getting Asus to make a W8 padfone device. I'd like to get the android one but it just makes more sense to have windows. Android and Chrome are just too light.