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Microsoft Unveils Surface

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Microsoft Unveils Surface

from JoeUser Forums

Microsoft introduced Surface today which is a new line of tablet PC's for Windows 8.  They did a great job at keeping this hardware development under wraps, and Surface has some really nice features.

Surface highlights:

  • Software takes center stage: Surface sports a full-sized USB port and a 16:9 aspect ratio – the industry standard for HD. It has edges angled at 22 degrees, a natural position for the PC at rest or in active use, letting the hardware fade into the background and the software stand out.

  • VaporMg: The casing of Surface is created using a unique approach called VaporMg (pronounced Vapor-Mag), a combination of material selection and process to mold metal and deposit particles that creates a finish akin to a luxury watch. Starting with magnesium, parts can be molded as thin as .65 mm, thinner than the typical credit card, to create a product that is thin, light and rigid/strong.

  • Integrated Kickstand: The unique VaporMg approach also enables a built-in kickstand that lets you transition Surface from active use to passive consumption – watching a movie or even using the HD front- or rear-facing video cameras. The kickstand is there when needed, and disappears when not in use, with no extra weight or thickness.

  • Touch Cover: The 3 mm Touch Cover represents a step forward in human-computer interface. Using a unique pressure-sensitive technology, Touch Cover senses keystrokes as gestures, enabling you to touch type significantly faster than with an on-screen keyboard. It will be available in a selection of vibrant colors. Touch Cover clicks into Surface via a built-in magnetic connector, forming a natural spine like you find on a book, and works as a protective cover. You can also click in a 5 mm-thin Type Cover that adds moving keys for a more traditional typing feel.

We'll have to wait a bit longer for pricing and availability, but it should be priced competitively with Ultrabook PC's.

More info at www.surface.com.

20,112 views 39 replies
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Microsoft knocked it out this week with Surface and Windows Phone 8.  All the hate is quite amusing.

 

Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Hate aside, I felt sorry for the dude in this video: http://www.wimp.com/newtablet/

 

The tablet froze up during the presentation :blush:

But hell, a similar thing happened to Jobs when he was presenting the iPhone4......

 

 

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Reply #28 from WinCustomize Forums Top

i am still interested in Windows 8 on a tablet device, but this thing is no competition for the iPad.

 

16:9 ratio? sucks for viewing websites, ebooks, pdfs or comics. just imagine a print magazine with that ratio.

low resolution? why? the iPad 3 has a retina display, it's great. 

it's ugly. this will cost hundreds of euros, so why the same cheap plastic as in a $50 tablet from China?

 

 

Reply #29 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting moshi, reply 28
low resolution?
End of moshi's quote

No... it has the choice of 3 three new screen resolutions – WVGA (800x480), WXVGA (1280x768) and “true 720p” (1280x720p)

Not 'retina', granted... but certainly good enough.

Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm glad Microsoft finally found the courage to take some risks.  There's no way they can keep being a powerhouse these days without taking chances.  Even with Metro's poor reception, I still think they're at least pointed in the right direction with what they're doing.  Not sure it will all pay off, but at least they're moving and not resting on their laurels.

Reply #31 from WinCustomize Forums Top

They haven't even detailed much of the display specs yet, aside from it's 10.6” ClearType HD Display.

 

Reply #32 from WinCustomize Forums Top

moshireply 28low resolution? No... it has the choice of 3 three new screen resolutions – WVGA (800x480), WXVGA (1280x768) and “true 720p” (1280x720p) Not 'retina', granted... but certainly good enough.
End of quote

exactly, so why would i want to replace my iPad 2 with that? when this will be released it will probably have the lowest resolution in it's price range.

the os looks good, but it needs some decent hardware to run on. 

Reply #33 from WinCustomize Forums Top

We'll have to wait a bit longer for pricing and availability, but it should be priced competitively with Ultrabook PC's.
End of quote

just read this. so the choice is iPad 4, MacBook Air or this? seriously?

Reply #34 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting moshi, reply 32
why would i want to replace my iPad 2 with that?
End of moshi's quote

Not aware of trade ins, but the W8 pad will multitask and the iPad can't, for one.

Also, the Surface will work with network printers... the iPad?

Reply #35 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I for one will keep an open mind, but I'm sure there's plenty of room in the Apple bus if you want to keep taking that ride.

 

Reply #36 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 34

Quoting moshi, reply 32why would i want to replace my iPad 2 with that?

Not aware of trade ins, but the W8 pad will multitask and the iPad can't, for one.

Also, the Surface will work with network printers... the iPad?
End of DrJBHL's quote

 

as i said, the os looks good. give me a 4:3 ratio, a high resolution display, at least 10 hr battery life, a metal case at a price that competes with the iPad and not the MacBook Air and things will get interesting.

Reply #37 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Island, reply 35
I for one will keep an open mind, but I'm sure there's plenty of room in the Apple bus if you want to keep taking that ride.

 
End of Island's quote

 

if this is the best they have to offer, Microsoft wont need a bus. a Honda will do. ;)

Reply #38 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting moshi, reply 28
but this thing is no competition for the iPad.
End of moshi's quote

As I recall reading, MS doesn't consider it to be... more an alternative with features the iPad lacks... ie, multitasking, network printers, etc.

For mine, this is a good move by Microsoft and I hope it is well received in the marketplace.  Yes, Surface may be a late comer in the pad arena by comparison, but that still doesn't make the iPad the best. In fact, several reviews rate the Samsung GalaxyIII pad very highly, and in some ways they say it's better than the iPad, which is why I guess Apple tried its very best through various courts in several countries to prevent Samsung from releasing it.  Hehe, Samsung had the last laugh, though... and again I digress.

I've never ever been interested in an iPad, iAnything for that matter, but if I were ever in the market for a pad I think MS' Surface might just be the one I'd go with, given what I've read so far. I like the idea of the built in 'kickstand' and connectible keyboard that acts as a cover... for me, both those features give it the edge over other pads.  Now I do not like Win 8 as a desktop OS with Metro as the default UI, but it would be a completely different proposition on a tablet device.  It is where Metro belongs, on a portable/touch device, like Surface, and in that environment I would come to terms with it.  However, given its extra features/options, I would have to go with the higher end model with Win 8 Pro... when the time came.

Reply #39 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Much is yet to be known and hardware to hardware comparisons seem to put Microsoft at a disadvantage.  Obviously MSFT will have to do something to make the product competitive with other hardware already established in the market.  Maybe speculation should consider what software might be bundled with this to make it attractive from an overall cost standpoint.  Office has been mentioned once or twice.