Author Topic: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled (Read 15004 times)

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?

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #1 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.

TJ Spyke · « **Reply #2 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

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #3 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.

ShyGuy · « **Reply #4 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?

NWR_insanolord · « **Reply #5 on:** October 17, 2012, 03:17:40 AM »

Quote from: 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?

The iPad can do HDMI out with an adapter, and I honestly don't get why USB is such an advantage in this day and age.

shingi_70 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 17, 2012, 02:20:44 PM »

Quote from: Brandogg 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.

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.

tendoboy1984 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 17, 2012, 05:51:05 PM »

Quote from: shingi_70 on October 17, 2012, 02:20:44 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.

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #8 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.

NWR_insanolord · « **Reply #9 on:** October 18, 2012, 12:02:32 AM »

Or Microsoft, apparently.

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #10 on:** October 18, 2012, 06:54:11 PM »

Very true.

NWR_insanolord · « **Reply #11 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.

tendoboy1984 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 18, 2012, 09:25:35 PM »

Quote from: 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.

Isn't the Samsung Galaxy Tab (10 inch) the same price as an iPad? (Base price around $500)

TJ Spyke · « **Reply #13 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.

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #14 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.

shingi_70 · « **Reply #15 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.

NWR_insanolord · « **Reply #16 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

Shaymin · « **Reply #17 on:** October 19, 2012, 07:24:41 AM »

Easier to plug in a USB keyboard. Or a wired game controller.

NWR_insanolord · « **Reply #18 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.

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #19 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.

shingi_70 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 19, 2012, 12:18:54 PM »

Quote from: 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

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.

Do_What · « **Reply #21 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.

Plugabugz · « **Reply #22 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.

shingi_70 · « **Reply #23 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?

ShyGuy · « **Reply #24 on:** October 21, 2012, 01:43:20 AM »

Those are slick. They ripoff the touchbook by alwaysinnovating.com

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Author Topic: Microsoft takes on iPad, Surface pricing unvieled (Read 15004 times)