Microsoft Surface Tablet no cheaper than iPad

[karl]

Microsoft's Surface tablet will cost between £399 and £559 ($499 to $699 in the US) when it goes on sale on October 26th, the firm said today.
The price is the same as the cheapest third generation iPad, and will put the two firms into a head to head battle.
The Surface will go on sale the same day Microsoft releases Windows 8, the new version of its desktop computer software - and three days after Apple is expected to introduce a cheaper, mini version of its iPad.

Full story here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2218462/Microsoft-finally-reveals-Surface-tablet-cost-309-434--undercutting-Apples-iPad.html


See also: http://www.booksnreview.com/articles/1254/20121002/microsoft-surface-tablet-features-release-date-october-event-apple-ipad-research.htm

[Eliza Snark]

I'm not really too big on Microsoft's tablet interface. I see what they're going for with it, and Windows 8 as well, and it doesn't seem very... I'm not sure. I'm just not feelin' it.

[Jackerlus]

I'm kind of looking forward to it, but I'm really not sure windows did the right thing for windows 8 on desktop. As a tablet/phone? Sure, looks pretty cool. Desktop? Not so sure.

[Eliza Snark]

I'm kind of looking forward to it, but I'm really not sure windows did the right thing for windows 8 on desktop. As a tablet/phone? Sure, looks pretty cool. Desktop? Not so sure.

I like to think every second Windows OS is good. XP was good, vista was crap. 7 was good, 8 was crap. Whatever's after 8 will probably be good.

[Jackerlus]

I like to think every second Windows OS is good. XP was good, vista was crap. 7 was good, 8 was crap. Whatever's after 8 will probably be good.

That is a very true statement! My dads work didn't even bother upgrading to vista because it was so crap and unstable.

[Eliza Snark]

That is a very true statement! My dads work didn't even bother upgrading to vista because it was so crap and unstable.

Yeah, I was stuck with Vista for a while because I needed a new computer around the time it came out and it was preloaded on there. Thankfully, I think I can wait out 8's lifespan since my current machine runs 7 and is still pretty newish.

I guess I'm just a bit tired of this trend in technology these days where all of a company's products are starting to integrate and homogenize. If I wanted a tablet-like interface, I'd buy a tablet. That said, I don't see myself too excited over this. Even if it were cheaper, I'd still go for the iPad.

[Jackerlus]

Yeah, I was stuck with Vista for a while because I needed a new computer around the time it came out and it was preloaded on there. Thankfully, I think I can wait out 8's lifespan since my current machine runs 7 and is still pretty newish.

I guess I'm just a bit tired of this trend in technology these days where all of a company's products are starting to integrate and homogenize. If I wanted a tablet-like interface, I'd buy a tablet. That said, I don't see myself too excited over this. Even if it were cheaper, I'd still go for the iPad.

To be honest, I prefer android to iOS because of the freedom and versatility you get, not really sure about windows phones phones though. Anyway, Microsoft need to get their estimations more estimatey because to say the price may be under 200 pounds is a rubbish estimate.

[Eliza Snark]

To be honest, I prefer android to iOS because of the freedom and versatility you get, not really sure about windows phones phones though.

Hey, to each their own, I'm sure as hell not about to start some Android vs. iOS pissing match here. Strictly speaking about tablets and the iPad, though, it's got a lot of neat musical apps that don't really have alternatives (as far as I've searched anyway) on Android.

[Jackerlus]

Hey, to each their own, I'm sure as hell not about to start some Android vs. iOS pissing match here. Strictly speaking about tablets and the iPad, though, it's got a lot of neat musical apps that don't really have alternatives (as far as I've searched anyway) on Android.

I swear those go off as much as religion vs atheism, but that's true, although most people on android just download the music from those "legal" music download sites.

[Eliza Snark]

I swear those go off as much as religion vs atheism, but that's true, although most people on android just download the music from those "legal" music download sites.

Oh, I don't mean like that- I meant apps that let you use the tablet itself like an instrument and record/produce things. I'm a bit of a nerd like that, hahah.

[Jackerlus]

Oh, I don't mean like that- I meant apps that let you use the tablet itself like an instrument and record/produce things. I'm a bit of a nerd like that, hahah.

Oh god same xD but especially with GarageBand, and the connection with Macs and stuff, artists and music makers will move towards iPads and apple products in general.

[Eliza Snark]

Oh god same xD but especially with GarageBand, and the connection with Macs and stuff, artists and music makers will move towards iPads and apple products in general.

You ever give a listen to the Gorillaz album The Fall? That entire thing was made on a bloody iPad.

[Jackerlus]

Oh yeah, I know them. I like the art they do on their album covers and stuff :P but on an iPad? I guess that's one way of making music...

[Cognizant]

I'm kind of looking forward to it, but I'm really not sure windows did the right thing for windows 8 on desktop. As a tablet/phone? Sure, looks pretty cool. Desktop? Not so sure.

I agree.
And don't think it's my unsober Apple-loving kicking in, I wish Mac OS X was a little more...OS'y, like the way 10.6/previous used to be

[DerBear]

I can't say this story thrills me. People will buy it none the less. As for windows 8, I ain't going to rush out and upgrade. Windows 7 works fine for me. So why fix something that isn't broken.

[Eliza Snark]

So why fix something that isn't broken.
Shareholders, baby.

[Jackerlus]

I can't say this story thrills me. People will buy it none the less. As for windows 8, I ain't going to rush out and upgrade. Windows 7 works fine for me. So why fix something that isn't broken.

Well generally if we don't have anything to fix we'll make something better/new (don't get mixed up, they're not the same). And if we don't make new things where does technology go from there? I'm not sure windows 8 will be any better but, ya know.

[Hypers]

I think windows 8 is good for tablets bad for desktops. The way it is designed makes desktop users feel left behind.

Surface is a good idea. Microsoft does need to make something new.

[DerBear]

Well generally if we don't have anything to fix we'll make something better/new (don't get mixed up, they're not the same). And if we don't make new things where does technology go from there? I'm not sure windows 8 will be any better but, ya know.

I am talking about in my personal case, I have always found upgrading within the first 3 months of new software coming out to be a bad things, as it never goes well.

I just don't see why people are obsessed with the one of the new things. I mean take the new Iphone, all it is, is slightly bigger and thinner version of the model before it. Yet this will happen.....

http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u401/derri5/images5.jpg

http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u401/derri5/images4.jpg

[Skyhawk]

So why fix something that isn't broken.

Actually Windows NT needed work in general. Nothing wrong with the interface, but the core architecture was outdated for today's technology.

1.) Windows NT is poorly optimized for multi-core processors (rendering the AMD FX-8150 nearly useless)
2.) Hacking into it is child's play.
3.) Buggy. explorer.exe is the most unstable process on my computer...and that's an important one.
4.) Windows NT is a fatty. After a few years of use, the computer becomes slow because the hard drive slows down when it's trying to sift through thousands of registry errors to find that picture of Diane at the pub 3 years ago. It takes up a lot of space after a while, so 80GB HDD's from 10 years ago being regularly are fubar (filled up beyond all recognition :P) from Windows XP alone.


Bill Gates was all for the tablet PC, anyway. I read an article about it today in Marketing class.

I was at Staples earlier today to see if they've gotten the new Windows 8 PCs in stock yet. They have two new laptops, a Sony VAIO with a Core i3 and a Lenovo ThinkPad (Twistable Screen). They both had touchscreens and it was my first hands-on experience with Windows 8. I loved it. I was skeptical of the tablet style OS (I hate the Asus laptop/tablet with Andriod...it's hideous!) at first, but with the touchscreen it really worked nicely. I liked how the apps were all there in front of you in the Start screen and the apps. I didn't like the desktop though. I couldn't figure out how to get to the Start screen without pressing the Windows key. I really like the Mail client, I think it's a good competitor to Apple's Mail Client (on both Mac OS X and iOS 6). Normally I prefer Macs, but I think Microsoft has reeled me back in.

Anyway, I still think the iPad would make a better tablet. From my experience it's the most refined and there are high quality apps, whereas you can't guarantee it with Android, and we don't have anything yet for Windows. I'm glad Microsoft finally came up with something decent for the tablet market.



Windows 8 would not be good for the traditional desktop. It needs a touchpad or else it doesn't feel right, and using the screen is optimal, however the onscreen keyboard doesn't automatically show up on the PC version (even with those which convertible screens) which is a little annoying.

I can go on about this, but it'll be more appropriate in the debate forum, so if anyone want's argue my points, make a thread over there and PM me.