[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Microsoft Surface pricing makes sense, analyst says here

[Jayac6l]

W8 on a desktop is a snap, especially if you plan to spend 80% of your time in the desktop. First, it's one click into your desktop. Next, you can customize the new Start screen so that anything you don't already have pinned to your taskbar is in the left part of your Start screen, so the amount of time and cursor movement it takes to launch those extra 3-5 apps is trivial. And, you can get rid of any Modern UI app that you don't have plans to use. OMG! You can still create shortcuts on your desktop.

So this notion that W8 on a desktop is unusable or more difficult is absolutely laughable. And even for those people that have complained about not having their old Start menu and having to go through the Start menu to get to their desktop completely ignore the fact that if they'd use the Modern UI just a little bit and browse the Windows Store occasionally, then they might find some compelling apps to spend time in the desktop. And if your system has sufficient memory, why not just leave those 3-5 Modern UI apps running all the time and not worry about that dreadful (joking) dragging to the bottom to close.

Be that as it may, MS probably should have given consumers using desktops the option to boot straight into their desktop and to turn on the classic Start menu. But again in their defense, this whining is just sad, given how little people are trying to use the system to make it work for what MS would like to see a valid paradigm shift for a desktop.

[toothie007]

"It makes sense when you consider that user interface experts — and lots of regular people — have judged the touch-centric Windows 8 Start Screen to be tough for PC users working with keyboards and mice to use. While using the modern tiles-based UI is a snap on touchscreen devices, it requires too much cursor hovering, right-clicking, and guessing for people working on traditional PCs. While Microsoft has succeeded in offering a good OS for tablets — if not so much for PCs — how the company prices its hardware is particularly relevant, especially if it wants to succeed in moving to a tablet-based computing model."

Could you please enlighten me ,an less your goal is to spread lies on windows 8? I am using windows 8 on a non-touch laptop. The touch-pad is no more difficult for me to use than it was in windows 7. So please, if you are going to make this spread this claim, please explain exactly how the mouse or touch-pad is more difficult to use.

My wife has a imac and a MBP which I used a lot also. I move the cursor to the left edge of the screen on them to expose the menu of programs, just like I do in windows 8 to expose the charm bar? When or where did you criticized Apple for this this?

[gamick]

I feel the biggest problem Microsoft is having with people not wanting to upgrade in the numbers they expected is simple they m made a few too many changes from Vista, Windows 7 for the average consumer. Computer enthusiasts welcome change, thrive on change. The millions that don't live and breath the computing world don't like change-- actually one heck of a lot of people in general once they hit a certain age are adverse to anybody or thing that pushes change on them.

I teach computer classes for our local Community Ed program. Almost all of my students are 40 plus. I get glazed over eyes when I try to get them excited about getting Windows 8 with a new PC. I suppose Microsoft could adjust their marketing plan to bring that demographic in to the fold, but as of now the ridiculous commercials they're running support the impression to these people that there is no need (or money to change for the sake of change.

Another impression I pick up from the people in my classes is they are more than ready to jump to a tablet but once again commercials on the media they watch are not answering their concerns-- simplicity for one and 'what can these darn things do compared to a PC or laptop. Explain it in language they can relate to and I think that segment will join the parade changing to tablet computing. Until that happens the 'death' of the desktop and the laptop that's been predicted since the first tablet is nowhere near happening.

[toothie007]

Quote

"It makes sense when you consider that user interface experts — and lots of regular people — have judged the touch-centric Windows 8 Start Screen to be tough for PC users working with keyboards and mice to use. While using the modern tiles-based UI is a snap on touchscreen devices, it requires too much cursor hovering, right-clicking, and guessing for people working on traditional PCs. While Microsoft has succeeded in offering a good OS for tablets — if not so much for PCs — how the company prices its hardware is particularly relevant, especially if it wants to succeed in moving to a tablet-based computing model." Could you please enlighten me ,an less your goal is to spread lies on windows 8? I am using windows 8 on a non-touch laptop. The touch-pad is no more difficult for me to use than it was in windows 7. So please, if you are going to make this spread this claim, please explain exactly how the mouse or touch-pad is more difficult to use. My wife has a imac and a MBP which I used a lot also. I move the cursor to the left edge of the screen on them to expose the menu of programs, just like I do in windows 8 to expose the charm bar? When or where did you criticized Apple for this this?

I meant unless in my post above. Where is the edit button for this site?

[toothie007]

"It makes sense when you consider that user interface experts — and lots of regular people — have judged the touch-centric Windows 8 Start Screen to be tough for PC users working with keyboards and mice to use. While using the modern tiles-based UI is a snap on touchscreen devices, it requires too much cursor hovering, right-clicking, and guessing for people working on traditional PCs. While Microsoft has succeeded in offering a good OS for tablets — if not so much for PCs — how the company prices its hardware is particularly relevant, especially if it wants to succeed in moving to a tablet-based computing model."

Could you please enlighten me, unless your goal is to spread lies on windows 8? I am using windows 8 on a non-touch laptop. The touch-pad is no more difficult for me to use than it was in windows 7. So please, if you are going to spread this claim, please explain exactly how the mouse or touch-pad is more difficult to use.

My wife has a iMac and a MBP which I used a lot also. I move the cursor to the left edge of the screen on them to expose the menu of programs, just like I do in windows 8 to expose the charm bar? When or where did you criticized Apple for this this?

[PenguinWorld]

That's how your wife setup her Mac, it has nothing to do with the OS. Normally the dock is always shown at the bottom of the screen, but you have many ways to display/hide the dock.

[mdfrancis]

I tried a Surface tablet at a shop today. Amazing experience. Beautiful keyboard, super touch sensitive and with a mousepad to move the cursor around. Fantastic look and feel. Very frustrating to see the technoblogs (populated with Apple fan boys and girls) with all their snide remarks. Seeing is believing. Try a Surface before you snap to any judgements.

[max999]

Let's see an iPad or a Surface at the same price!!!

Apple will win 90% of the time.

The Surface is another Zune maybe worse and is not selling well to date.

[MarkG]

I see that Microsoft's shills are out in force, pretending someone likes Windows 8 and that someone actually bothered buying the overpriced and rubbish Surface (and equally rubbish Windows Phone 8)

[AGO99]

In my opinion it remains to be seen whether the iPad tablet and its Android copycats can stand up to the Surface in the long term.
The iPad and the like are just a nice, easy-going toys. The iPad MINI cannibalization of its full size sibling is very teeling. Which should be on Santa Claus' gift list, for your 10 and 12 years old childs? The 10 inches iPad or its "minime" adaptation?
However it goes, it's going to be a win for consumers...

[TsarNikky]

Still, it is an expensive toy. But, each to their own. It all depends on how and for what you use your computer.

[berock212]

Quote

Let's see an iPad or a Surface at the same price!!! Apple will win 90% of the time. The Surface is another Zune maybe worse and is not selling well to date.

The difference is the ipad is one of the worst designed tablets out there while the surface is the best designed tablet out there. The ipad is just a tablet with one connector, it has no keyboard, no hdmi port, no usb port, no kick stand. The ipad is just a thick tablet with too many pixels. The surface is a shining example of what tablets should look like. Now the only question is whether you like windows 8 or not.

[JAG2012]

Ha! The Surface will eat Apple's and Google's lunch. Just let it simmer for a while. In 2 years, one of these toy manufacturers will be in the 3rd place. In 3 years, Microsoft will be on top and there is no looking back.

iPad - just a toy
Android - just a toy with lots of bugs

[Leftfield]

There is no question that Windows 8 is much harder for people to use. It is inconsistent, and ignores over a decade of Windows UI rules.

Users are forced to learn entirely new ways to print, save documents, change programs, etc., but none of what they learn will be applicable in the "legacy" interface. Yet, despite calling it a legacy interface, even Microsoft is refusing to make their Office app a Windows 8 style app. Can you imagine how bad Office will become if it became a full screen app which doesn't allow multiple resizeable windows?

So even Microsoft will be continuing to develop dozens of programs that do one thing in one interface, and another thing in the other interface.

Microsoft should have been just a tiny bit more like Apple in creating their interface. Be a Communist dictator like Apple. Apple locks down their experience for all users, tell their users which program to use, removes flash for their users' "benefit" and basically dictate everything the users can do. There is only one way to do things in the OS and one or two hardware to choose from.

This is why I think Apple will continue to do great.

[rgeiken]

The Windows Surfaced has about the same resources as a Nexus Tablet, but the Windows O/S is much more complicated than the Android O/S. I have W7 with an i7 Processor and 6 gig of ram, so things work pretty smoothly on this computers. I had a Netbook with W7 and an Atom Processor, and 2 gig of ram which is similar to what is on a Windows Surface Tablet. The ASUS Netbook was agonizing to use with W7, but I cobbled a copy of Android 4.0.3 and ran that for the final months that i had the computer before I gave it away to a friend. It was really snappy with the Android versus W7, and that is what convinced me to get a Nexus 10 Tablet which I have been well pleased by. My friend and her children are still enjoying the Netbook with Android on it and use it for a lot of functions using Android. I told them not to boot to W7 which is available on a dual boot since they would likely be disappointed. I am sure that I am more satisfied with my Nexus 10 32G than I would have been with the Windows RT Surface.

[rgeiken]

I will be anxiously wait for that day!!!! Ha! Ha Windows 8 will likely be more powerful than apple or android, but that is with a $1000 device versus $500 for the best Android and Apple Devices.Surface is not Windows 8, it is RT, and for the short while that I used it at the Microsoft Store I was significantly unimpressed like I was using my Netbook with 2 gig of ram and an Atom Processor and W7. That was not an enjoyable combination to use. The Netbook with XP on it was likely not as bad since that O/S was simpler than W7. Next year about this time we will be in a better position to analyze this. As you get older, you learn to never rush to judgement on things like this. Remember not every purchaser will look at the situation like you do. i Pad and Android Tablet are pretty simple and trouble free which occasionally Windows computers are not. Most People who purchased I Pad and Android are not very computer knowledgeable, and they don't actually require much computer expertise.

Quote

Ha! The Surface will eat Apple's and Google's lunch. Just let it simmer for a while. In 2 years, one of these toy manufacturers will be in the 3rd place. In 3 years, Microsoft will be on top and there is no looking back. iPad - just a toy Android - just a toy with lots of bugs

[tbsteph1]

Quote

I see that Microsoft's shills are out in force, pretending someone likes Windows 8 and that someone actually bothered buying the overpriced and rubbish Surface (and equally rubbish Windows Phone 8)

As opposed to ill-informed Apple shills?

[toothie007]

Quote

I see that Microsoft's shills are out in force, pretending someone likes Windows 8 and that someone actually bothered buying the overpriced and rubbish Surface (and equally rubbish Windows Phone 8)

So anyone who likes windows 8 is a MS shill? So what should we call someone who likes anything Apple? The depth of discourse one gets on these comment sites is truly astonishing.

[brainout]

gamick, on 16 December 2012 - 10:00 AM, said:

I feel the biggest problem Microsoft is having with people not wanting to upgrade in the numbers they expected is simple they m made a few too many changes from Vista, Windows 7 for the average consumer. Computer enthusiasts welcome change, thrive on change. The millions that don't live and breath the computing world don't like change-- actually one heck of a lot of people in general once they hit a certain age are adverse to anybody or thing that pushes change on them.

I teach computer classes for our local Community Ed program. Almost all of my students are 40 plus. I get glazed over eyes when I try to get them excited about getting Windows 8 with a new PC. I suppose Microsoft could adjust their marketing plan to bring that demographic in to the fold, but as of now the ridiculous commercials they're running support the impression to these people that there is no need (or money to change for the sake of change.

Another impression I pick up from the people in my classes is they are more than ready to jump to a tablet but once again commercials on the media they watch are not answering their concerns-- simplicity for one and 'what can these darn things do compared to a PC or laptop. Explain it in language they can relate to and I think that segment will join the parade changing to tablet computing. Until that happens the 'death' of the desktop and the laptop that's been predicted since the first tablet is nowhere near happening.

Everyone likes change. NO one likes STUPID change. Windows 8 invokes stupid changes with no option to customize it the way one wants. This is a radical departure from prior versions. Up through Win7, the user was able to customize the interface so much, he was able to keep even a Win95 configuration. That is a productive style, and faster than the pokey tiles which take two seconds to change after being invoked.

The interface is garish, ugly, tyrannical, insulting to anyone of intelligence. So change of this nature is USELESS AND NOT WORTH BUYING. I wouldn't buy it on a tablet, nor would anyone else who has an IQ above room temperature on a cold Chicago day. So whatever improvements there may be -- and they are WHAT, exactly? Not one article or comment yet proves any advantage in upgrading -- so whatever improvements there may be, are DESTROYED by the ugly interface.

Sick, Windows 8. And the person over 40 usually has more discernment than the dumb teeny-bopper mentality using computers for surfing and email and music.

This post has been edited by brainout: 16 December 2012 - 03:02 PM