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This post has been edited by LordInsidious: 20 June 2012 - 12:43 PM

"Why purchase a classic clamshell-style laptop if you can get a tablet that quickly and elegantly becomes a laptop when you need one--all without sacrificing performance, interoperability, or functionality?"
- Totally agree. I bought a new laptop not too long ago, but from what I've seen a Surface Pro will likely be my next refresh, when the time comes.

Personally I think the pro will be competing with both tablets and ultrabooks.

If the Pro is priced @ $999, it's still in a price range that will compete with the high end iPad. Plus for the $200 more, you get all the goodness of an ultrabook as well.

Sounds like a confused teenager.

Sounds like a confused teenager.

ipad+Logitech ultrathin keyboard cover with real keys & more cover protection

As I understand it the Pro will come with, lets be polite, and say a limited amount of ram. Far less in fact than most if not all laptops.

The question should be asked therefore how useful is it really likely to be. Could it for example run a full version of office with all applications, e.g. Word,Excel and the rest open at once.

If not it's likely to be a pee-wee toy.

I don't think +10" Screen will replace mainstream a productive 13"-15" Ultrabooks & Notebooks with even hardisks

Does it has a Bluetooth for Wireless Speakers or Headphones?

KLanD, on 20 June 2012 - 12:41 PM, said:

$999? If it is anything near $700, it won't be eating much into iPad sales - it will be cannibalising netbook/ultrabook sales. Big win for Microsoft, but not for the partners of Microsoft.

I hope Microsoft figures out that it is going to have revise and refine its Surface features and specifications in order to have Surface products that are slam dunk competitive.

If Microsoft had announced their tablet with the following specs, I would be asking where I could pre-order right now. If Microsoft had announced their tablet with the following specs, I would be touting it as a true home run product. With the lack of details in the specs they provided, and the unanswered specification questions that Microsoft needs to answer, there is still significant room for third party hardware vendors to debut a Windows 8 tablet that is superior to Microsoft's.

Whatever company can build a Windows tablet with the following specs, and provide good support and reliability, will get my purchase:

Windows 8 dream tablet specification list:

Operating System: Full Intel Windows 8
Diagonal size: 10in. to 11in.
Thickness: 8mm or less
Bezel: narrow, less then 12mm on all sides
Aspect ratio: 16 x 10
Screen resolution: 2048 x 1280
Processor: Intel Core i5 (or better) dual or quad cores
- mobile low power edition with variable clock.
GPU: dedicated memory
- and acceleration for full 1080p video playback
SDRAM: 2GB minimum for full multitasking
Flash storage: 32GB minimum - max 128GB
SD slot: micro SDXC minimum, full SDXC better
Video out: mini HDMI
Bluetooth wireless earphone and mouse connection
Audio out: support for iPhone style headphones
- with microphone
Audio hardware: full support for ASIO audio standard
- To support audio editing/music composition with Cubase/Avid Sibelius.
Keyboard cover: standard with product,
- as seen in the Microsoft announcement.

TonyCook, on 20 June 2012 - 12:52 PM, said:

I agree regarding ability to run MS Office. At 64gb, where would you have room to install office? Maybe a much tighter App version. I currently have a New I Pad and trying to work on a spread sheet is not fun, hope the new device will be able to run office.

What I find puzzling about this article, perhaps it's intentional but I will give the benefit of the doubt to Melissa that it's not, is that she is asserting that a 16GB iPad can be purchased @ $499.00, and comparing it to a Surface Pro.

However, The Surface Pro only comes in 64GB and 128GB flavors which would make it comparable to Apple's flagship device 64GB WiFi+3G (there is no 128GB iPad yet).

Oh but wait, you want to connect your iPad to your TV?

Then purchase the cable. $39.00

Oh, you want a keyboard with your iPad?

Then purchase blue-tooth keyboard. $69.00

Oh, you want to connect your camera to your iPad?

Then buy the camera kit. $29.00

Oh you want a case for your iPad?

Then buy the "smart" case. $39.00

When we're talking price, comparing the Surface Pro to the iPad/Android is really almost apples and oranges.

The Surface Pro will actually run FULL versions of software like Photoshop, MS Office (word, excel, outlook, etc..)as it's truly a PC in tablets clothing. Not an "executive accessory".

Comparing the Surface RT with the iPad would be more accurate as it runs the Metro UI without the Windows 8 desktop option. It comes only in 16GB and 32GB options, and I would be willing to bet will cost less than it's Apple counterparts by a longshot.

If the Surface Pro comes in under 1K with it's 128GB model (and I am almost positive it will), it will trounce every tablet available now both in performance and price.

Before any of you call me a Microsoft fanboy or some other idiotic name, I currently own an iPad 2, as well as an iPhone 4S, and use them both to conduct business.

I'm brand loyal to a point guys, but if the Surface Pro does all it says it will, I will be selling my iPad.

TonyCook, on 20 June 2012 - 12:52 PM, said:

Microsoft has not revealed the amount of RAM that will be available in either the RT or the PRO versions of the Surface tablet.

So at best, everything you're saying after your first sentence is speculation and at worst stupidity.

You have to know though that they have optimized Office 2013 for Windows 8 and RT, with tablets in mind.

There has already been a demo of a Samsung Slate 700 (Nvidia processor) running Office 2013 (or 15) and switching between programs Outlook and Word having both open simultaneously.

I will buy the Surface Pro straight off the bat and replace my existing personal computer with it (using my existing LCD and wireless kb/ms). All data on the Surface will be synced to my Windows 8 phone, SkyDrive and vice versa. What more could one want? Three devices in 2 ;-). And when Windows Phones operate the Full windows OS, we will be plugging our phones into Desktop Monitors and kb/ms and using that as our desktop setup. Windows Phones, Windows Tablets, and XBOX 3 will work seamlessly together with Windows Glass offering you the ultimate technology experience. No one really "needs" apple.

DonS166, on 20 June 2012 - 01:32 PM, said:

Are you serious? MS Office 2010 Professional is only 1-2gb installed. Why would a 64bg tablet not be efficient to run Office?

You're kidding right? you compare Apples lowest end item agains Microsofts highest end? If I'm shopping for a Mercedes I couldn't care less what a "Smartcar" costs, it doesn't have what I'm looking for. Compare Apples $899 iPad against Surface Pro...the iPad looks like a drink coaster next to it.

TonyCook, on 20 June 2012 - 12:52 PM, said:

Just about any machine can do that. For instance, a single-core Atom with 2GB RAM.

I see both of these as more of a "Our partners are slacking lets do something in house to point them in the right direction" move by Microsoft. Honestly when was the last time HP, Dell, Toshiba etc REALLY impressed you? Only company I see taking risks is Asus these days.