[shoestring25]

the Microsoft Surface tablet has a cover that is a keyboard and has a stand that comes out of the back. correct me if im wrong but havent they just designed a laptop?

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by shoestring25

the Microsoft Surface tablet has a cover that is a keyboard and has a stand that comes out of the back. correct me if im wrong but havent they just designed a laptop?

No, it’s a Tablet PC that connects to a keyboard dock – it’s like the Asus Transformer

[Brush Master]

Originally Posted by shoestring25

the Microsoft Surface tablet has a cover that is a keyboard and has a stand that comes out of the back. correct me if im wrong but havent they just designed a laptop?

The key difference between tablet and laptop is not so much that one has a physical keyboard and the other doesn't, it's more that the other has a touchscreen display while the former does not.

The touchscreen display enables the unique way in which a tablet is used, compared to a laptop computer, not the fact that the keyboard comes in software (or as an optional physical add-on).

[psionic]

Originally Posted by shoestring25

the Microsoft Surface tablet has a cover that is a keyboard and has a stand that comes out of the back. correct me if im wrong but havent they just designed a laptop?

It's still a tablet. Detachable covers with keys have been available for many tablets for quite some time. Some even have proper docking stations. However the expensive pro version of the Surface with the Intel processor will be interesting as it will run PC software.

[IvanIV]

Yeah, the pro is interesting. basically you decide if you use it at the moment as a laptop or a tablet. Full HD, Intel i5 3rd gen processor, full W8 pro. I am waiting for the price and battery life to see if it is something for me. I wanted to buy an ultrabook this year, this just can be a nice alternative.

[JulesandSand]

The pro version sounds as if it could be the perfect replacement for my Transformer Prime.

[TheBigM]

Originally Posted by Brush Master

The key difference between tablet and laptop is not so much that one has a physical keyboard and the other doesn't, it's more that the other has a touchscreen display while the former does not.

The touchscreen display enables the unique way in which a tablet is used, compared to a laptop computer, not the fact that the keyboard comes in software (or as an optional physical add-on).

No. With Windows 8, expect to start seeing "ordinary" laptops but with touchscreens.

The key here is that the keyboard cover is detachable and then the device is like any other tablet. Also you can fold the cover behind the tablet and use it as a tablet.

[Batwing]

Originally Posted by shoestring25

the Microsoft Surface tablet has a cover that is a keyboard and has a stand that comes out of the back. correct me if im wrong but havent they just designed a laptop?

It's hard to disagree with that.

[Brush Master]

Originally Posted by TheBigM

No. With Windows 8, expect to start seeing "ordinary" laptops but with touchscreens.

...and about time, too.

All that this means is that the dividing line between laptops, netbooks, tablets, etc, is blurring and disappearing - also about time, for it is not the category label that matters, but whether a particular tool is the right tool for the job.

[alanwarwic]

Originally Posted by alan1302

No, it’s a Tablet PC that connects to a keyboard dock – it’s like the Asus Transformer

Almost. The kickstand negates the need for a battery with weight attached to the keyboard.
Because of this it might just fall over when on your lap with keyboard attached.

Obviously though, a decent solid cover will prevent one heck of a lot of damage.
Broken screens are almost as common as muck.

[shoestring25]

what im basically saying is that two things a laptop has over a tablet is it has a stand so you dont have to hold it all the time and it has a keyboard. now this has both these the only thing that differentiates it from a laptop now is it has a touch screen not a tracker pad

[IvanIV]

Originally Posted by shoestring25

what im basically saying is that two things a laptop has over a tablet is it has a stand so you dont have to hold it all the time and it has a keyboard. now this has both these the only thing that differentiates it from a laptop now is it has a touch screen not a tracker pad

If you look at that touch cover it actually has a trackpad, too. So if you don't feel like touching the screen you don't have to.

[Pretinama]

I'd say no. It's a tablet but one that comes with a keyboard for typing, rather than using an onscreen keyboard (unless you want to). I think the difference really is that a laptop is an all on one device. This is a tablet, with a cover that has a keyboard in it.

[John259]

Would it be correct to say that a tablet can only run one app at a time whereas a netbook/laptop/desktop can run numerous programs at the same time?

[IvanIV]

Originally Posted by John259

Would it be correct to say that a tablet can only run one app at a time whereas a netbook/laptop/desktop can run numerous programs at the same time?

No, that would be a limitation imposed by OS not the hardware. AFAIK Android has full multitasking, iOS had some limitations, but they are more relaxed now, how far I do not know. Not sure about Windows RT, but Surface pro will have full Windows 8 on it.

[Helbore]

Originally Posted by IvanIV

No, that would be a limitation imposed by OS not the hardware. AFAIK Android has full multitasking, iOS had some limitations, but they are more relaxed now, how far I do not know. Not sure about Windows RT, but Surface pro will have full Windows 8 on it.

Windows RT will allow you to run two apps side-by-side, so it has some form of multitasking. Not sure how it handles apps running in the background, other than it has the ability to suspend apps.

Chances are that the metro environment will run much the same on Windows 8 or Windows RT.

[alanwarwic]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57...news&tag=title

Seems to me RT manufacturing means an uncertain future for manufacturers with it ending up being a Foxxcon device like the iPad.

Surface is just a trademark used for Microsoft touch enabled gadgets.

[niceguy1966]

Deleted post.

[Helbore]

Originally Posted by alanwarwic

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57...news&tag=title

Seems to me RT manufacturing means an uncertain future for manufacturers with it ending up being a Foxxcon device like the iPad.

Surface is just a trademark used for Microsoft touch enabled gadgets.

Acer seem to be the only ones kicking up a fuss. I think this is the third time they've made a public statement asking Microsoft not to release the Surface.

I'm pretty sure its down to the fact that Acer produce rubbish. Other OEMs don't seem to be making such a (public) fuss about this. I don't think Acer wants to compete against high-quality tablets and aren't happy that Microsoft are trying to raise the bar among OEMs.

[alanwarwic]

I thought I heard somewhere the MS were to charge OEMs $85 for RT.

If right they surely have only one or two 'special deal' partners in mind to produce them.
$85 is not feasible so that would already exclude Acer.

[Helbore]

Originally Posted by alanwarwic

I thought I heard somewhere the MS were to charge OEMs $85 for RT.

If right they surely have only one or two 'special deal' partners in mind to produce them.
$85 is not feasible so that would already exclude Acer.

I heard that, too, though I don't think its officially confirmed anywhere.

What has been confirmed, is that the initial run of Windows RT devices are limited to only a few OEMs - at least until 2013. Interestingly, though, it wasn't Microsoft that made the choice on who made the cut. It was down to Qualcomm, nVidia and Ti, who were allowed to choose two OEM partners each for the initial RT devices.

The belief is that Microsoft want to make sure that the first devices to hit the market are all high-quality, so that initial reviews don't damage Window 8's reputation as a tablet OS. Then, next year, they'll open the floodgates to all OEMs.

[alanwarwic]

Well it now rings very very true with this so called tantrum.

Rather than high quality it is as likely exclusivity that guarantees both mass production and decent profits.

[jjesso123]

Originally Posted by IvanIV

Yeah, the pro is interesting. basically you decide if you use it at the moment as a laptop or a tablet. Full HD, Intel i5 3rd gen processor, full W8 pro. I am waiting for the price and battery life to see if it is something for me. I wanted to buy an ultrabook this year, this just can be a nice alternative.

If not mistaken MS said that only one model would appear this year, and then PRO would follow early next year.

[tasker]

Originally Posted by Brush Master

The key difference between tablet and laptop is not so much that one has a physical keyboard and the other doesn't, it's more that the other has a touchscreen display while the former does not.

The touchscreen display enables the unique way in which a tablet is used, compared to a laptop computer, not the fact that the keyboard comes in software (or as an optional physical add-on).

So these new touchscreen desktops they are actually tablets then i take it?

[niceguy1966]

I think we are seeing a merging of technology with fuzzy edges. How big does a phone have to be before it becomes a tablet? Many are already a lot larger than my first PalmPilot.

Does a laptop with removable keyboard and a touch screen count as a tablet? I'm expecting many laptops to have touchscreens after Windows 8 is released, so then the question is "Are all laptops with removable keyboards tablets?"

Microsoft are planning to roll out Windows 8 across a very wide variety of devices, I'm sure we will have a flood of new names for devices to add to ultrabooks and netbooks that were recently added to try and describe the ever expanding range of laptop types (maybe a touchbook?).

So, to answer the original question, is the surface just a laptop? Yes, except I wouldn't use the word "just".