Opinion: Microsoft Surface - The Good, the Ugly and the Unknown

It is? Maybe you can explain how. Are you suggesting hardware is more important than software? Or do you see it the other way around? Is it that iOS starting to feel inferior or that the display overrides all (which given the unknowns will prove out better on one device or the other). The point is the integration isn't it? Or is it all just emotion in your world? Disgard the actual experience 'I am riding my wave of the past and will not change'. Sound like an argument from old?

So what was your point actually? The reality is that APL is up BIG and reporters of all types feel this and react; part and parcel in the job. MSFT has been flat for close to a decade and this weighs in also (like a boat anchor). Hype feeds itself and feeds on itself leading to frenzy. This is not a healthy thing at all when it happens. Create a giant and watch it tumble is the usual sad ending. This would really 'suck' in Apples case but is increasingly looking inevitable.

I watched the live blog of the Surface unveiling and at the time was excited about possibly waiting to buy one. However, as I thought more about it and as more details emerged, I just simply can't justify spending more money to buy a device with a lower screen resolution, shorter battery life and less apps than the latest IPad. I hate to say this because I'm not a big Apple fan. However, trying to look at this objectively the surface appears to be a good attempt, but I'm afraid it may fall a bit short.

Yes the price seems high...but it will run WINDOWS 8.... That is the #1 feature and if Microsoft executes all this successfully they will slowly and surely take over the market share. I like Apple but I think Microsoft has a better strategy and we will see Apple slowly but surely fall from it's high horse! Especially when you figure you will have Windows 8 on your desktop, tablet, and phone....It's going be great!

I don't understand why people say that this is going to be the best tablet because it will "have windows 8". Has everybody forgotten that you can put widows on an iPad? I have it on my iPad 3 and it works great. I mean I don't use it that often because there is nothing I could or would need to do on the windows side that I couldn't do on the iOS side, but when I do randomly decide to boot up windows it works great.

I think you're right about some of your concerns, but remember these are preliminary features and devices only. There will be changes and think that's why they released it this way before they even really priced them. But mainly I think Microsoft wanted to beat somebody else out the door with the keyboard cover idea. That they did!

Now we'll surely see competitors following Microsoft's design example on that note, including possibly Apple. My biggest objection has to do with the including Intel iGPU graphics and inferior screens. If I'd had my druthers, I'd be willing to give up Intel powered tablets for AMD's Fusion APU's and a better screen. Having a superior Intel CPU without the graphics prowess of AMD's balanced APU w/ Desktop HD 7000G series graphics is a waste!

Sorry.... but there is absolutely no comparison between Apple's consumption device only iPad and either an Intel or AMD Fusion powered Tablet with Windows 8!!! .....and that includes Android powered tablets too! .....and quite frankly, the AMD's Fusion APU's offer far better battery life along with that far better graphics performance and at a better PRICE!!!

If Microsoft is really smart, they'll offer AMD Fusion as a choice, because after trying both a new i7 w/ HD 4000 iGPU and a new AMD Fusion APU w/ HD 7650 GPU on various video and games on notebooks, there is no way I'd spend more for less with Intel on the graphics side! ....and as far as against Apple iOS on iPad? ahaha.... the comparison is laughable at best!!! Windows 8 stomps all over it in so many ways and it isn't even final yet!

@mario
I think the uniqueness of keyboard design/materials means it may take some time getting used to, even for an experienced pro, so instead of getting some bad press due to shortage of time for such demo they opted to restrict keyboard access.

@Julio
On the back stabbing issue, I think MS is telling its OEM partners that they need to wake up and stop producing 'generic' notebooks/tabs/pcs year after year (with some small tweaks) and lots of crapware on them, ruining the user experience. So IMHO MS is showing them how to be more creative as making another copycat of iPad is just not feasible.

Yeah I have to agree with you on that to a degree and I think that's what Google's doing with Nexus devices always the first to run new Android updates to latest version. Any manufacturer or carrier can do the same thing by giving their customers the out of box Android experience, but few are willing to just leave a good thing alone!

Are you out of your mind? There is no way you have Windows running on an ARM device, because the RT version has only been preliminarily released to developers. Therefore YOU nor any other ordinary mortals can even get Windows 8 RT (ARM) Edition!

Just get over your 'Teh Apple is teh gOd brainwashed disorder!

In the "The Ugly" section you forgot to add:

another 16:9 tablet
useless in portrait mode
useless in landscape mode

<windozefanboibash>
Agree, is sad… How sad? This sad and more…

Windows 95 Launch, People Wait in Lines, Windows 95 Plagued with Driver Problems
http://www.conceivablytech.com/?p=2400

Remember people getting excited about Windows ME (miserable edition) but apparently no line waiting recorded, chock one up for joe consumer!

People wait in line for Microsoft Vista (Zune for Desktop?, "MS Windows Fail Professional")
http://scoble.it/LJw3wl

(photo) People wait in line to by a Windows 7 Mobile Phones at 3am ("MS Mobile Fail")
http://bit.ly/LJwMxJ
(photo) And the first guy to make that mistake! (doh!)
http://thenextweb.com/?p=197429

(photo) People wait in line for Microsoft Windows 7 (photo - dork alert!, MS Vista with coat nu paint)
http://www.mobiletechworld.com/?p=3828


People line up for Microsoft Store opening… not interested in Microsoft tho… just want swag
http://bit.ly/LJx9Iq

And you can bet they will wait in line for the MS HP Slate PC 2.0, er the MS Surface…

Signed,
Microsoft Bob (going Metro of course)


</windozefanboibash>

"Whether you like it or not, tons of people have been waiting for a fully functional desktop OS in this form factor"

Dell Latitude ST Atom Z670, comes with a full version of Windows 7 pro.
I think "ton's" of people need to get out more.
I'm a patient man though, I'll wait til we get closer to a release date and we get more details on this thing before I start saying It's the "ipad killer" or "It's going the way of Microsoft bob and the Zune".