Community Forums => General Chat => Topic started by: tendoboy1984 on October 16, 2012, 07:32:14 PM
Title: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: tendoboy1984 on October 16, 2012, 07:32:14 PM
Microsoft has finally announced the prices for the Surface RT tablet.
$499 - 32GB model (without Touch Cover) $599 - 32GB (with Touch Cover) $699 - 64GB model (with Touch Cover)
For comparison, the iPad prices are:
$499 - 16GB model $599 - 32GB model $699 - 64GB model
The Surface RT tablet has HDMI and USB ports, making it much more functional than an iPad, and it comes with Microsoft Office 2013 installed.
@Shingi_70, are you here? :)
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 16, 2012, 11:31:58 PM
This late into development the Surface specs are a little behind the times. They need to bump it up to 4-8GB RAM (it is a Windows machine, after all), and if they are going with Tegra 3 still, it needs to be in the 2Ghz range. RAM is cheap, Tegra 3 is dirt cheap. If they can bump up the specs, then they've got an absolute beast of a tablet. I would buy one in an instant if they could do that.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: TJ Spyke on October 16, 2012, 11:34:42 PM
The current iPad has 1GB of RAM, you really expect Microsoft's tablets to have 4-8 times as much RAM? LOL
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 16, 2012, 11:42:31 PM
Yes, I do, because they aren't running Windows Mobile (or Windows Phone or whatever). iPad is stealing away desktop/laptop PC users, Microsoft can't win them back with a touch-screen netbook.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: ShyGuy on October 16, 2012, 11:46:04 PM
for $499 I could get a tablet PC with more horsepower.
Is it the full office or a gimped version?
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 17, 2012, 03:17:40 AM
Yes, I do, because they aren't running Windows Mobile (or Windows Phone or whatever). iPad is stealing away desktop/laptop PC users, Microsoft can't win them back with a touch-screen netbook.
You do know this is the rt version which only can run metro apps right? The uber spec'd surface you want is the Pro version slated for January.
That and I disagree with your specs assesment. We've already had windows tablets before with better specs than the ipad and no one gave a ****. The majoirty of users will be probably living inside metro so it doesn't even matter.
That and there is a market big enough for more than one player. Espcially given the fact that android has pretty much given up on the non budget tablet space.
Also the entry level surface is on back order at the microsoft store. That and it looks like amazon is sold out of windows 8 boxed copies.
But yeah I'll probably be picking up a windows 8 Tablet early next year. While I want to buy the surface based on the quality of the hardware and design, ill probably pick up something like the HP envy X2 for the keyboard dock.
Sucks too becuase I love the moleskin notebook look a surface with a black touch cover has.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: tendoboy1984 on October 17, 2012, 05:51:05 PM
Especially given the fact that Android has pretty much given up on the non budget tablet space.
I'm pretty sure Google and Samsung are making a 10-inch Galaxy Nexus tablet. Also, the ASUS Transformer and Samsung Galaxy Tab are both successful 10-inch tablets.
The 7-inch size seems to be the latest fad, given the huge success of the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire, but 10-inch tablets aren't going anywhere.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 17, 2012, 11:31:06 PM
I wouldn't say they've given up on "non-budget" tablets, it's just that they don't rip off their customers as bad as Apple.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 18, 2012, 12:02:32 AM
Or Microsoft, apparently.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 18, 2012, 06:54:11 PM
Very true.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 18, 2012, 09:01:08 PM
Don't kid yourself, though; the only reason Samsung and Google don't charge that much is that they can't get away with it. They're not keeping prices low out of the goodness of their heart.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: tendoboy1984 on October 18, 2012, 09:25:35 PM
Don't kid yourself, though; the only reason Samsung and Google don't charge that much is that they can't get away with it. They're not keeping prices low out of the goodness of their heart.
Isn't the Samsung Galaxy Tab (10 inch) the same price as an iPad? (Base price around $500)
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: TJ Spyke on October 18, 2012, 09:31:57 PM
Base price for Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10 inch versions) is $399, Amazon has it for $349.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 18, 2012, 10:13:51 PM
I'm just talking about the move to 7" tablets. But most (though not all) Android tablets include a USB port (micro or even full size), a microSD slot, and HDMI output, so customers don't have to buy tacky adapters for anything.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: shingi_70 on October 18, 2012, 11:07:10 PM
**** dont matter when the only android tablets that sale (nexus 7, and kindle) dont include that stuff.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 19, 2012, 12:26:37 AM
Can someone explain to me why USB is something to be sought after in a tablet? It doesn't seem to me to offer many advantages
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: Shaymin on October 19, 2012, 07:24:41 AM
Easier to plug in a USB keyboard. Or a wired game controller.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 19, 2012, 07:40:23 AM
I suppose, but for something that's meant to be portable you'd really want those to be wireless. I'm not saying there aren't advantages to having it, but generally there are better options for those abilities that don't require it. I suppose it's nice to have as a backup, but it doesn't seem like it should be a real selling point.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 19, 2012, 11:44:48 AM
Just because it's portable doesn't mean you only use it when you're on the move. I don't use the USB input on my Xoom often, but it's nice to have when I want to use a PS3 controller or plug in an external HDD.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: shingi_70 on October 19, 2012, 12:18:54 PM
Can someone explain to me why USB is something to be sought after in a tablet? It doesn't seem to me to offer many advantages
brah. I can take a windows tablet on a photo walk. After the walk I can throw the photos in lightroom and do light editing and uploading.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: Do_What on October 19, 2012, 02:23:25 PM
I think the surface is kind of cool, but I'm not remotely interested in RT. I think it seems like a better value than the iPad at first glance, but I don't have any need in my life for a tablet right now and so that statement means nothing coming from me.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: Plugabugz on October 20, 2012, 03:03:31 PM
A tablet is less functional than an laptop/netbook. Therefore it should be priced lower. I don't see the point in pricing these things to £500.. when my £250 laptop does exactly the same.
Given that iPads and iPhones are near-enough the same price (when they are functionally the same minus voice and screen size) confuses things further.
I paid £200 for my Nexus 7 and i'm very happy with that.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: shingi_70 on October 20, 2012, 06:54:28 PM
Pretty sure sure google takes a loss on the nexus S. Also tablets are better desgined than most similar priced laptops. Having better design is a good portion of the battle.
Your forgetting Hybrids my good fellow. The best of both worlds.
Also why do besbuy guys suck so much at selling products?
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: ShyGuy on October 21, 2012, 01:43:20 AM
Those are slick. They ripoff the touchbook by alwaysinnovating.com
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: shingi_70 on October 21, 2012, 10:14:51 AM
Oh snap.didnt even know that existed. I thought that asus came up with the idea.
Played with a few windows 8 laptops yesterday for about an hour or two at bestbuy. I picked up everything pretty quickly and the only thing i had to get used to was the setting menu in the charms bar.
(http://pbs.twimg.com/media/A5q71BdCAAA2zzj.png)
The multi-tasking is crazy useful. Love the idea of always having something like my Google+ or Twitter to the side.
The livetiles are pretty cool as well. THe gaming ones usually scroll through your high scores and others may scroll on tweets or how many emails you have or your lastest appointment.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: tendoboy1984 on October 21, 2012, 12:03:28 PM
Pretty sure sure google takes a loss on the nexus S. Also tablets are better desgined than most similar priced laptops. Having better design is a good portion of the battle.
Your forgetting Hybrids my good fellow. The best of both worlds.
Also why do besbuy guys suck so much at selling products?
I would definitely go for a Samsung or ASUS tablet, but Acer? No thanks. Acer's old Android tablets were terribly clunky and ugly. HP is making tablets again? I guess since they're running Windows they felt obligated to re-enter the tablet market.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: shingi_70 on October 21, 2012, 01:42:23 PM
The Acer tablet has been getting nothing but rave previews. Only problem seems to be ththe build quality dock.
Also HP had a bussiness oriented tablet out last year. Also the Envy is shaping up to a pretty good contender. That and the Asus will probably most people's front runners.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: shingi_70 on October 22, 2012, 08:30:54 AM
So on windows Weekly and on twiiter its been hinted that review embargo for windows 8 and surface is the 23rd.
pretty sure Niley patel at the verge will be reviewing the asus tablet and probably topolsky reviewing the surface.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: shingi_70 on October 23, 2012, 10:09:40 PM
Reviews are in and most seem tobe postive with the expect of Gizmodo. The thing seems to be its a good device but lack of apps and ecosystem hurt it. (though most are ignoring the fact that it has a better application support and ecosystem than android tablet) its totally a gen 1 product and it shows.
As far as tablet applications and ecosystem I would say microsoft does a better job. Android as far as applications made for the tablet is abysmal and is rumored to have less than the windows store. You can use phone apps but not only are they still mostly going to be gingerbread applications but having a strechted app isn't a good experience. As far as ecosystem I would say that microsoft has a more fleshed out one compared to google.
Windows Phone, Windows 8, and Xbox. All of microsofts services work seemlessly between all three of these products. Not only that but Outlook, skydrive, and Microsoft Office synch up and you have the office web apps for online use as well.
The biggest flaw in the Google Eco system is that it doesn't have a successful TV componet. Instead Google has shown three seperate tv products that compete with each other in a small time (Google TV, Nexus Q, and Google Fiber box). Not really having anything to compete with the xbox or apple TV makes buying from google TV and movies
The biggest flaw I see in the microsoft eco system is lack of a books offering. But the new company they just formed with B&N should change that.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: tendoboy1984 on October 24, 2012, 09:30:51 PM
As far as tablet applications and ecosystem I would say microsoft does a better job. Android as far as applications made for the tablet is abysmal and is rumored to have less than the windows store. You can use phone apps but not only are they still mostly going to be gingerbread applications but having a strechted app isn't a good experience. As far as ecosystem I would say that microsoft has a more fleshed out one compared to google.
Windows Phone, Windows 8, and Xbox. All of microsofts services work seemlessly between all three of these products. Not only that but Outlook, skydrive, and Microsoft Office synch up and you have the office web apps for online use as well.
The biggest flaw in the Google Eco system is that it doesn't have a successful TV componet. Instead Google has shown three seperate tv products that compete with each other in a small time (Google TV, Nexus Q, and Google Fiber box). Not really having anything to compete with the xbox or apple TV makes buying from google TV and movies
The biggest flaw I see in the microsoft eco system is lack of a books offering. But the new company they just formed with B&N should change that.
As if anyone cares about the Nook anymore. Kindle Fire is one of the more popular tablets (along with the Nexus 7), and it's the most popular e-reader. The Nook can't touch it.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: shingi_70 on October 25, 2012, 09:39:08 AM
Wut the nook as a device and service is still insanly popular and is bolstered by barnes and noble retail stores
The windows 8 launch event is today. Pretty sure it can be viewed here.
Dude in my Java class has Windows 8...I can't stand looking at his monitor because of how ugly Windows 8 is.
Someone actually installed Windows 8 on his laptop then wanted us to help because his outlook doesn't work anymore. Nobody told you to do it, did they?
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: Do_What on October 26, 2012, 02:46:40 PM
What's wrong with his outlook? It works on my laptop with windows 8.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: shingi_70 on October 26, 2012, 04:08:06 PM
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: Fatty The Hutt on October 26, 2012, 06:57:43 PM
That's purty. Do want.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: nickmitch on October 26, 2012, 08:50:47 PM
Looks like now is the time to be in the market for a tablet. Almost certain my next one will be a Windows one. Though, I can't see myself letting go of my iPad anytime soon.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 27, 2012, 03:18:21 AM
Even I'm thinking about grabbing one of the full-fledged Surfaces with the real Windows.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: shingi_70 on October 27, 2012, 11:11:45 AM
Even I'm thinking about grabbing one of the full-fledged Surfaces with the real Windows.
Eh I used to be high on the surface pro until I realized it won"t be running Haswell until the next generation. So the surface pro coming out early next year will probably have bad battery life compared to the arm (RT) and atom tablets.
Beyond a few applications (Office, Lightroom, and Visual Studio) I've been spending most of my time in the metro side of things.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: tendoboy1984 on October 27, 2012, 10:16:39 PM
Well I finally tried Windows 8 at Best Buy. The only tablet they had was an ASUS Transformer Prime Vivo RT. I did find a few all-in-one PC's from HP and Dell. I found the interface to be extremely intuitive and easy-to-use. I can't believe how stupid-simple Windows 8 is. Too bad that ASUS tablet is overpriced, just like the iPad (you do get 32GB with the ASUS tablet for $599, but yeah).
I can't wait until next year when (if?) those tablets drop to under $400. Hopefully we'll see a Microsoft Surface 7-inch (or even a 3rd-party tablet that size).
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: toddra on October 29, 2012, 12:29:41 AM
I wasn't even sure if I wanted a tablet until I tried Windows 8 and now I think Windows 7 is so sluggish it's almost painful. If anything though I would get a hybrid.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: shingi_70 on October 29, 2012, 10:40:57 AM
Man I hvae windows 8 installed on my grandmas computer and stillhave XP on my mine for the time being. After getting used to windows 8 going back makes everything worse. Gotten so used to the snapped app multitasking.
Also today is microsoft's windows phone 8 event (http://i.imgur.com/Fdm5I.png)
Its 10:00am pdt and 1:00pm est
It can be watched url (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/presskits/windowsphone/)
We also have pictures of the windows 8 to windows phone 8 synch software.
Verizon has also offically announced the lumia 822 which has to be the ugliest of the lumia 8 series varients.
Our two carrier upgrades are sometime next month so i'm going to get a lumia 810 and i'm getting an htc 8x.
It seems the surface is selling pretty well for a product that has no real non tech hype to it.
Wpcentral posted this awesome screenshot of the surface with the htc 8x. Means that most outlets already have windows phone 8 headsets and the revivew embargo is over soon.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: Ceric on October 29, 2012, 11:22:28 AM
I'm hoping to get the Lumia 920 in Yellow I think. I'm hoping what they come up and say is: "These are the new features in Win Phone 8. Everything else we left alone because it was good as it is."
I'm finding every single one of the Metro Apps on Windows 8 to be disappointing because the Windows Phone 7 Equivalent ones are just so so much better.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: shingi_70 on October 29, 2012, 01:11:57 PM
I just learned in windows 8 you can pin not only apps to the start screen but differen[youtube][/youtube]t sections of that app. I have a small live tile for news at the bottom of my start screen with my main apps. And on the upper one I have a larger live tile dedicated to local news. I really think microsoft did a good job on all of the default apps.
Not sure how I feel about colored phones. Right now i'm trying to decide between the blue and black 8X.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: Do_What on October 29, 2012, 06:26:17 PM
I'm all about colored phones. I hate the selection of black/white/metal. It's boring. Even the SIII Blue is meh to me. I want all these bright colors. I can't wait to get a absurdly bright phone.
Title: Re: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled
Post by: shingi_70 on October 29, 2012, 09:35:17 PM
Always been a black or silver guy. The only time where i have really wanted a colored phone was the lumia 800 in cyan and the orange n7.
I know a few people were disapointed with today's event and a few parts did sound cringe worthy but i'm pumped regardless.
Really hope to see next week some indepth comparsion reviews of the Google,Apple, and microsoft eco-systems.
