The Microsoft Surface Tablet thread.

[Deeko]

It's not a bad price considering all the hardware its packing. Priced in line with the 11" Macbook Air, except its also a solid tablet that comes with a pen and has a higher resolution screen.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

$899 is a nice price considering the specs, it's a much better value than Surface RT imo.

 

[gus6464]

Anyone not care that this thing will have Haswell? 8 hour min battery is a given now.

 

[dagamer34]

Anyone not care that this thing will have Haswell? 8 hour min battery is a given now.

Will probably have special 10W Ivy Bridge parts. Haswell isn't coming out until June/July.

 

[ultimatebob]

The specs for Surface Pro look pretty good. The $899 price tag seems reasonable too, considering what Dell is charging for the XPS 12 convertible Ultrabook.

I just hope that Microsoft doesn't screw up the execution.

 

[lopri]

It's not a bad price considering all the hardware its packing.

But I don't see what hardware it's packing other than x86 CPU and Display Port? It doesn't even mention the display resolution although I assume it's going to be 1080p. Can someone link to a specs page? I can't seem to find it.

 

[gus6464]

Will probably have special 10W Ivy Bridge parts. Haswell isn't coming out until June/July.

From the blog post

On the inside, Surface with Windows 8 Pro will come with Intel’s next generation Core i5 processor.

IVB is current gen so what else could that mean.

 

[dagamer34]

From the blog post



IVB is current gen so what else could that mean.

Specs page list 3rd generation Core i5 processor. It's not Haswell, which wouldn't come with an Intel HD 4000 GPU anyway. Plus, it's not ready. Haswell isn't just a CPU/GPU, it's an SoC approach which calls for much more stringent power characteristics on all chips on a motherboard, especially the super small dies that use only hundredths of a milliwatt to do some special task that no one really cares about. Like I said, June/July.

Surface for Windows 8 Pro specs

 

[gus6464]

But I don't see what hardware it's packing other than x86 CPU and Display Port? It doesn't even mention the display resolution although I assume it's going to be 1080p. Can someone link to a specs page? I can't seem to find it.

http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-US/surface-with-windows-8-pro/specifications

 

[finbarqs]

http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/29/microsoft-confirms-surface-with-windows-8-pro-pricing-starting/

lists it @ 1080p, 64GB, but no cover what so ever.

 

[dagamer34]

http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/29/microsoft-confirms-surface-with-windows-8-pro-pricing-starting/

lists it @ 1080p, 64GB, but no cover what so ever.

Buy a bluetooth keyboard? The cover is not required to use it. And I like how people complain about the $110 Touch Cover but are happy to buy a $100 Logitech keyboard for the iPad. Shows you that the Apple RDF is still in full effect.

 

[lopri]

http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-US/surface-with-windows-8-pro/specifications

Ty. That's indeed a featuer-packed hardware. As long as it has 8+ hours of battery, I think it'll find demand.

 

[lopri]

Buy a bluetooth keyboard? The cover is not required to use it. And I like how people complain about the $110 Touch Cover but are happy to buy a $100 Logitech keyboard for the iPad. Shows you that the Apple RDF is still in full effect.

Don't be a hyperbole. I don't recall seeing anyone here being happy with a $100~$130 proprietary keyboard of any sort. Except those who are willing to cut slacks for Microsoft no matter what.

P.S. Did anyone really express her/his happniess with a $100 logitech keyboard for iPad? I think you're making up a story. I personally think any $100+ keyboard is silly. (except maybe for those mechanical ones for PC gaming)

 

[dagamer34]

Don't be a hyperbole. I don't recall seeing anyone here being happy with a $100~$130 proprietary keyboard of any sort. Except those who are willing to cut slacks for Microsoft no matter what.

P.S. Did anyone really express her/his happniess with a $100 logitech keyboard for iPad? I think you're making up a story. I personally think any $100+ keyboard is silly. (except maybe for those mechanical ones for PC gaming)

Several members of the tech press seem to be in love with it. I'm not advocating buying one. I'm simply stating that the press often gives Apple and Apple-related products a pass and shits on Microsoft and it's incredibly annoying.

I mean, for example, Will.i.am just announced at $300 iPhone camera accessory with a slide out keyboard. W. T. F. And yet the press ate it up because it's related to the iPhone. I'm just disappointed, that's all.

 

[Charles Kozierok]

The cover isn't required, but it's a big part of how they have been hyping and marketing the Surface. In fact, so much so, that I think making it optional is a bit deceptive.

Ever watch the TV ads for the thing? The entire ad is all about snapping on the keyboard.

 

[Chiropteran]

I think the Surface is a wonderful idea but it is way too expensive for what it offers. I'd pick one up instantly if it was $200. At $300, I'd seriously consider getting one. But $500+ is just way too much compared to the alternatives.

 

[quest55720]

$899 is a nice price considering the specs, it's a much better value than Surface RT imo.

Way better value that the RT. I can't wait to pass the news along to the boss. Wanted to get a few to test for work. At this price I think I will be able to get one at work. Cheaper than the ultra books they have been buying.

I think this is an outstanding price 200 dollar more than the IPAD is a bargin IMO.

 

[quest55720]

I think the Surface is a wonderful idea but it is way too expensive for what it offers. I'd pick one up instantly if it was $200. At $300, I'd seriously consider getting one. But $500+ is just way too much compared to the alternatives.

What alternatives are there for a convertible tablet that is compatible with legacy x86 programs out there with stylist support and 1080p screen under 1k?

 

[ChronoReverse]

Some people just want to be practically given stuff I guess.

Still, it remains to be seen whether the Surface Pro delivers. It absolutely need good battery life and manageable heat/noise.

 

[fov001]

if battery life is at least 8 hours....I'm in!

 

[quest55720]

if battery life is at least 8 hours....I'm in!

I am thinking closer to 5-6 hours which is very solid for a I5 right now. If you want 8 hours battery life it will be the haswell,silvermount and jaguar tablets next year you will want.

 

[Red Storm]

I am thinking closer to 5-6 hours which is very solid for a I5 right now. If you want 8 hours battery life it will be the haswell,silvermount and jaguar tablets next year you will want.

I think it's pretty obvious the next gen revision of Surface Pro will be a much better tablet. That's not a bold prediction by any means, but it's enough that I would not even consider the first gen Pro, nor would I recommend it to anyone.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

if people arent buying ultrabooks at $600, they certainly arent going to pay $899 for ultrabooks that dont have keyboards

 

[fov001]

Microsoft said that battery life will be half of the Windows RT....no good.

 

[Dominato3r]

Microsoft said that battery life will be half of the Windows RT....no good.

Yikes. And companies usually have a bit inflated numbers in regards to battery life anyway :hmm:

I Think it's a good deal for the hardware though.