[c4rv]

Originally Posted by jjesso123

It's what been saying for long time. Where current tablet makers are failing is there has been very little innovation anything that screams wow this tablet looks better than the IPAD It feels better.

I seriously do think if MS market this right they could have winner here. As overall It's better however we know that does not always work out.

until we see developers starting to support these there is little chance of them succeeding. Right now both android and ipad have 500k+ applications available, number of RT compatible apps can probably be counted on one hand.

[jjesso123]

Originally Posted by c4rv

until we see developers starting to support these there is little chance of them succeeding. Right now both android and ipad have 500k+ applications available, number of RT compatible apps can probably be counted on one hand.

The pro will run all your normal windows applications. Obviously the RT version will be more attractive one with cheaper price tag so yeah as said quality and power won't sell this on it's own,marketing,support will be a big factor.

[Arkudos]

Realistically its not going to come anywhere near the iPad in terms of sales. The word iPad alone is already too ingrained in the public's mind as a tablet, just as iPod is to MP3 and Kindle is to an eBook Reader.

Only the tech crowd can make this product a success but once you factor in those who will stick with Android or iOS, I don't think the possible market is big enough.

[googleking]

I'm sold. When can I buy it

[c4rv]

Story from BBC,

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18500954

[jjesso123]

Originally Posted by googleking

I'm sold. When can I buy it

RT model is out when windows 8 releasse and pro comes out 3 months later.

[wavejockglw]

Details are here along with a video tease!

www.surface.com

[mrkite77]

Here's the intro video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpzu3HM2CIo

it's purty.

[Matt D]

Anyone know what the music is?

[Arkudos]

Stereo.

[paulbrock]

Originally Posted by Arkudos

Realistically its not going to come anywhere near the iPad in terms of sales. The word iPad alone is already too ingrained in the public's mind as a tablet,

1 in 3 tablets sold is not an ipad, its not the near-monopoly some think. No reason why it won't be toppled, though not necessarily by this.

[IvanIV]

It certainly does look pretty. I am tempted to get the pro version as my laptop replacement. I probably will.

[alanwarwic]

From reports the Microsoft Transformer seems to have got it 'mainly right'. They had to do it DIY to compete against Android on margins or is it a showcase item?

The keyboard cover was fairly obvious for the businessman who does not want to get laughed at too heavily. I guess the USB and SD slots show that Microsoft cannot get away with greed ahead of business practicality.
On initial appearance it also looks good for the other computer tablet, Android. However just maybe this is a show model ahead of normal OEM stuff?
If that keyboard is not too expensive Apple has a further real world list of 'me too's' needed.

You really have to laugh at the BBC pundit saying "Microsoft will be its own worst enemy in this market, choice is a key tenet of Windows, but too much choice is overwhelming for consumers. Apple gets this, and limits iPad options to connectivity, storage, and black… or white."

Maybe it is a beeb sense of humour but Is this not code for 'consumers are a bit stupid'?

[psionic]

I'm deffo interested in the pro version.

Keyboard covers are already available from third parties for other tablets, but they feel a but like a ZX Spectrum. Still it's cool if this is being included as standard.

[IvanIV]

MS is getting a lot of stick for Windows 8 and it is not even out yet. But nobody can accuse them they do not inovate. When it comes to tablet hardware they are the only ones trying something new. Yes, Apple revived the tablets, but nowadays they just slap a hi-res display on the thing and call it resolutionary and Android hardware is just a sad clone without ambition to try something of their own.

[IvanIV]

MS are getting a lot of stick for Windows 8 and it is not even out yet. But nobody can accuse them they do not inovate. When it comes to tablet hardware they are the only ones trying something new. Yes, Apple revived the tablets, but nowadays they just slap a hi-res display on the thing and call it resolutionary and Android hardware is just a sad clone without ambition to try something of their own.

[alanwarwic]

Does seem to be a 'showcase tablet' considering the Asus tablet 600 was at Computex.

With reports of the Asus tablet mainly sopping to Apple I guess Microsoft really need a quality showcase to counteract this.

[lettice]

Looks like it cannot do portrait mode, or at least its not showing it, shame as that is a popular feature of all tablets.

The advert looks very 'Apple' like and anyone know why its called Surface?

[paulbrock]

Originally Posted by lettice

anyone know why its called Surface?

well its the name of a previous ms toy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_PixelSense
now called PixelSense.

[lettice]

the keynote is up on youtube now here

[John259]

Originally Posted by IvanIV

When it comes to tablet hardware they are the only ones trying something new.

How about the Asus Transformer and the Dell Inspiron Duo (is the latter still being produced)?

[dadioflex]

How is this not going to be twice the price of an iPad with half the battery life?

I've no interest in a Windows RT tablet, or Windows 8 on the desktop, but the Pro version could be interesting if it was cheap enough - which is unlikely anytime soon.

[IvanIV]

Originally Posted by dadioflex

How is this not going to be twice the price of an iPad with half the battery life?

I've no interest in a Windows RT tablet, or Windows 8 on the desktop, but the Pro version could be interesting if it was cheap enough - which is unlikely anytime soon.

They say it should be in the same price range as ultrabooks, which is OK for me. I wanted one of those anyway.

[cribology]

Originally Posted by IvanIV

They say it should be in the same price range as ultrabooks, which is OK for me. I wanted one of those anyway.

ultrabooks range in price from £600-£1,200. There is no way I'm paying that for tablet with limited ports and a flimsy looking keyboard & stand.

[John259]

Three obvious reliability concerns (possibly unjustified of course, only time will tell):

The wonky stand.

The keyboard/cover, if it has physical electrical connections (but perhaps it uses Bluetooth?).

Heat dissipation, especially in the more expensive model. An i3, enough ram to run Win8, and a big enough hard disc (or SSD?) for that are going to generate a lot of heat (and run the battery down very quickly).