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Hey Microsoft, take your medicine and call it a tablet

Claire Porter

by Claire Porter

19 Jun 02:00pm

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Filed under: Ipad, Microsoft, Microsoft Surface, Tablets, Technology

63 comments

Microsoft has so much going for it, but why does it expend so much energy focusing on the wrong parts? This morning the tech giant released a new Windows 8 tablet, the Microsoft Surface, and while I have not yet had any hands-on time with the device, I have some serious concerns.

It also comes with an optional umbrella stand and hat rack

Building a convertible tablet/laptop and calling it new doesn’t mean that it is.

We witnessed a range of convertible tablets and PCs and the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas such as the Lenovo Ideapad, the Asus Transformer, and Sony Vaio and none of them were particularly inspiring. The problem with convertibles is who wants them? I’m sure some pretty detailed market testing has told brands such demographics exist but I want to know who they are. If people want a laptop, surely they’ll buy a laptop. If they want a tablet, they’ll buy a tablet. Carrying around a tablet, and keyboard and USB and a mouse is just too much hardware to take with you.

It’s not like Microsoft doesn’t have enough going for it without all the bells and whistles. The Surface is actually thinner than the iPad by .1 of a millimetre. And it packs the punch of a PC. But we’re yet to find out about processing power, cost etc. Why not focus on that, instead of pouring time and money into a keyboard they’re not sure everyone wants.

And A STYLUS? A stylus. Is this the ‘90s? Has the Palm Pilot just been released?

We’ve been experimenting with stylus pens for almost 20 years now and I’ve yet to see a company do it successfully. Styluses break. And they get lost. And yes, I know the Surface’s stylus is magnetic but I promise you people are still going to be searching for them down the back of the couch and in their handbags. Styluses are redundant, unnecessary hardware that increase the cost of the device.

Why would you use a stylus when you already have an attachable keyboard anyway? And who is going to use one? Designers? Maybe. But designers are more likely to use design specific tablets like the Wacom. I doubt they’d go out and purchase the Surface as an industry standard.

So that leaves consumers – who already have smartphones and probably another laptop or computer. And maybe it might be handy when writing a shopping list but I reckon a good third of people would end up losing or breaking the stylus and still have enough functionality that they don’t feel inclined to replace it straight away. Which is good and bad, I suppose. But I’m not sure whether it’s particularly essential.

The first rule of Microsoft is nobody calls it a tablet. But why is Microsoft so afraid of branding? The tech giant is refusing to call it a tablet. No no! “It’s not a tablet, it’s not a laptop, it’s a PC,” CEO Steve Ballmer said this morning. NO! It’s a tablet with portable parts.

Sorry, but a tablet with a keyboard is still a tablet. Say it with me. Ta-blet. It’s not a bad word you need to be afraid of.

Microsoft actually does some pretty innovative stuff. And look, I’m sure the Surface is very pretty. And I’m sure many people will buy it.

But I’m fairly certain it won’t make a dent on the iPad’s bottom line. And isn’t that what’s Microsoft’s uber-late entry into the market all about?

Most commented

63 comments

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    • Cobbler says:

      02:14pm | 19/06/12

      Written by someone who clearly has never used a device to do anything except browse facebook and play angry birds.

      This device (while not alone in it’s ability) would allow me to have the convenience of an iPad with the added convenience of it being able to actually do stuff, like run regular software, independent software, manipulate spreadsheets, read pdfs (I understand that ipads can do this now but seriously, why not always?).  Oh and it probably has the ability to have much more than 16-64gig storage that the i-fail has.  It’ll probably have a competitive price with the i-pad aswell.

      Regardless it won’t touch Apple’s products.  For some reason people are obsessed with throwing money away on average devices with Apple prints on them.

      Reply

    • M says:

      02:53pm | 19/06/12

      I don’t buy Apple products on principle anympore, mainly because they seem to be owned by fashion conscious twonks and wankers who start fizzing in their britches at the barest whiff of a rumour that a slightly newer, slightly shiny-er but not all that different “upgrade” is on it’s way.

      I don’t want to be associated with those kinds of people.

    • M says:

      02:55pm | 19/06/12

      That, and as you said Cobbler, actually being able to do stuff with the thing. Like view a spreadsheet or a word document.

    • Mr. Jordon says:

      03:53pm | 19/06/12

      You brought a Zune didn’t you?

    • Admiral Ackbar says:

      03:55pm | 19/06/12

      But guys, how else are the stupid people going to be able to use technology? This article did come across as very naive, and more than a little ignorant. It was like an article written about basketball by a WNBA player. Apple shits me, and iTunes makes me want to put cigarettes out on baby fur seals.

    • M says:

      04:22pm | 19/06/12

      Actually, I bought an iPod, because it’s actually a pretty functional little device and I don’t need much more from an Mp3 player other than to play Mp3s. I got it on sale because the then new ipod touch was out and they’d discounted the old ipod by a significant amount. Thanks apple trend geeks!

    • MINE is better than YOURS says:

      04:33pm | 19/06/12

      Hmm, Cobbler, your comments seem written by someone who has never used a device to do anything except view office documents, install utility apps, and make very important posts on forums.

      People who actually use computers know that platform/OS religious wars are ridiculous. As a developer I use all the major platform/OS combinations and each have their good and bad points. The system administrators where I work also switch platforms regularly. The IT ... etc.

      Incidentally, for people actually using computers (as opposed to people like Cobbler who just view things on them ...) Apple’s OS is fantastic. Being built on BSD means you get all the power of UNIX on the command line (and all the BSD licensed ports) , plus all the eye-candy of Aqua.

      But you knew that ... you’re a power user ...

      Written from my i7 HP laptop running Windows 7 ....

    • M says:

      04:50pm | 19/06/12

      Said the developer who knows all systems backwards.

      What we want it a device that does all that without having to fuck around to get one system to work on hardware that it didn’t come with. That’s cool that you can run windows on your apple gear, most of the rest of us don’t give a toss, we just want the damn thing to work.

      Computer geeks miss this all the time, they seem to think that everyone is into playing with their computers like they themselves are.

    • Laura says:

      06:20pm | 19/06/12

      I have ben using Windows tablets for a couple of years now. They are a bit clunky so hanging for an actual Microsoft tablet.

      And no I don’t just view things on them.  Geographic Information and associated databases are stored in complex multi-file formats that apple and android platforms don’t like.  Sure you can view pretty maps on the other platforms but you can’t actually do any real work with them.

      Keyboard and mouse not really suitable for a real mobile solution but a stylus and the ability to more accuratly pinpoint a spot on a map is definately useful. The other useful thing with non Ipad tablets is the ability to connect them to other devices and the multiple ports. V

      Overall though, I agree with Cobbler, people who only use technology to look at facebook should not comment on new technology.

    • Not a grammar nazi says:

      07:09pm | 19/06/12

      @Mr. Jordon…I am in shock, you do know the difference between the verbs to bring and to buy don’t you? I suggest that in future when making smarmy or sarcastic anonymous comments on the internet you don’t make yourself appear to be a moron.

    • Muggles says:

      08:14pm | 19/06/12

      Laura, what complex file formats are these?

      Since the Mac is a unix system, and you can run any combination of python/perl/ruby/bash/whatever you like, not to mention running linux or windows in a VMWare or Parallels box, it seems very unlikely that these “complex file formats” are some technical limitation that the Mac can’t handle.

      Very, very unlikely.

      The problem may be yours. i.e. that you are using a proprietary piece of software with a specific output. But then, that’s not the platform’s fault; it’s yours for using a closed file format.  Export the data to something a bit more universal.

    • Muggles says:

      08:52pm | 19/06/12

      M writes:

      “I don’t buy Apple products on principle anymore,”

      The principle being that you’re too concerned with what other people are thinking and buying?

      I dunno dude.  Hipsters and anti-hipsters look pretty alike from where I stand.

      Maybe just ditch the (alleged) principles, and just buy what pleases you.

    • Banananbender56 says:

      08:40am | 20/06/12

      Try Quick Office Pro HD - seems to work well with MS Office documents

    • M says:

      08:44am | 20/06/12

      It pleases me to buy anything other than apple.

    • prosperity says:

      10:17am | 20/06/12

      Apple, Apple, Oi, Oi, Oi.

    • Cobbler says:

      12:38pm | 20/06/12

      “Incidentally, for people actually using computers (as opposed to people like Cobbler who just view things on them ...) Apple’s OS is fantastic. Being built on BSD means you get all the power of UNIX on the command line (and all the BSD licensed ports) , plus all the eye-candy of Aqua”

      This paragraph said it all.  Apple OS failed for 20 years before they just got over it and become PCs, using Unix masquerading as Apples.  Funny how they junked all their intellectual property (which was garbage), kept the appearance of the UI and still charge out the nose for it!

      True, I’m not a programmer, but that just highlights even more how the iPad fails AS IT CAN’T EVEN MEET MY SIMPLE NEEDS.

    • Laura says:

      02:22pm | 20/06/12

      muggle, i said complex MULTI file formats, meaning multiple file types needed for one lot of data. Geographic information has a file for the line work, a file for the projection information, a file for info on each object (generally a dbf) plus numerous others, generally about six all up for each individual layer.
      After your comment though, I did some research, there are a couple that will run on mac, so yes I was incorrect in that assertion. However the majority are Windows based.

    • M says:

      02:15pm | 19/06/12

      It actually appeals to me. Being able to use MS files on it is a big plus, as is the e-ink for book reading and what have you. And I like the idea of the keypad, it’ll save me from having to buy one as an add on. It’d be the perfect tool for tapping out emails on the fly at airports and writing and what have you. Dunno if i’d bother with a mouse.

      Can it be used without the stylus? Cause I’d just as likely toss it if I could.

      Reply

    • Brick says:

      10:00am | 20/06/12

      Of course it can. It’s a normal tablet PC with the standard touch screen controls seen in other tablets. It just happens to support stylus input, presumably as added functionality for some users (editing documents, Photoshop stuff, etc).

    • M says:

      12:05pm | 20/06/12

      It just seemed to be such an issue for the author, I was under the impression that you HAD to use it.

    • Tom says:

      03:24pm | 20/06/12

      Yes a stylus on a touch interface. Such a terrible idea, no successful device would ever use a stylus for a touch interface this century.

      On that note, does anyone have Nintendo’s contact details? I need to let them know that the DS is actually a horrible failure.

    • freethrow says:

      02:32pm | 19/06/12

      “Building a convertible tablet/laptop and calling it new doesn’t mean that it is.” take something old, rebrand it and call it new, isnt that effectively apples marketing scam, oops i mean plan?
      of course microsoft will insist that you not call it a tablet, they are pushing their own brand other than just suplying the software like usual.
      ive had a play around with Windows 8 beta, and it smashes IOS in all catagories, add the possabilty of a potential dual boot system with android OS(maybe even Linux for the true nerds), this could blow ipads out of the water!

      Reply

    • Expat Ozzie says:

      02:55pm | 19/06/12

      freethrow: “potential dual boot system with android OS(maybe even Linux for the true nerds)”

      Ubuntu is building a new distro that will run a full OS version on a relatively high level phone. All you need is a hdmi cable and a wireless keyboard and you have fully fledge computer on the phone. Linux is starting to become much more user friendly.

      I think Microsoft has missed the boat on the tablet market a little will be interesting to see how many things they claim they invented this time round!

    • Everyone is an expert ... says:

      05:14pm | 19/06/12

      Uh, sorry to ruin the party, but Android *is* Linux.

      Not the masses-favoured Ubuntu (which is an African word meaning “I can’t configure Debian”), but Linux nonetheless.

      And “true nerds” know that iOS and OS X are built on BSD, another *nixy kind of thing ...

    • freethrow says:

      05:32pm | 19/06/12

      Expat: funkin sweeeeet! all the IRC ports for android are average and dont have xdcc support :( linux on my S2 would kick ass

    • Expat Ozzie says:

      06:09pm | 19/06/12

      Everyone is an expert ... says: WOW Android is Linux!! Well I never! Thanks for heads up there champ. I know what Ubuntu is I also know my 64 year old Dad can use Ubuntu and my wife and although I personally prefer Debian, Ubuntu is my favorite for the above reasons.

      “And “true nerds” know that iOS and OS X are built on BSD, another *nixy kind of thing ...” WOW you really know alot!!!

      freethrow: The real pain with Android is no shell. There are some but no really good ones yet. However Google is working closely with the kernel development to merge Android and Linux closer together. Linux will only get better in the long run.

    • antman says:

      05:04pm | 20/06/12

      @Expat: your 64 year old Dad can use your wife? That’s very generous of the two of you.

    • Vince says:

      02:34pm | 19/06/12

      I am in the market for something like this, actually.  I’ve been looking at laptops vs iPad for my kids.  Both are good/bad.  Kids can’t do thier homework on an iPad but can’t download apps on a laptop.  One that can do both would be great.

      Reply

    • Mr. Jordon says:

      03:57pm | 19/06/12

      What home work can’t you do on an iPad?

    • antman says:

      05:10pm | 20/06/12

      @Vince, are you referring to not being able to use Flash-based educational sites like Mathletics? That certainly limits the use of iOS for my family (although my wife has an iPad - won in a competition, we would have bought something different).

      When you refer to apps, are you talking about apps for the iPad? Just because something is in a tablet format doesn’t mean it can use those apps. It’s a software issue, not a hardware issue. It has to use Apple’s iOS operating system, which the Microsoft “not-a-tablet” certainly will not.

    • SimpleSimon says:

      02:42pm | 19/06/12

      The big selling point of this will be for business users, as the full version of Windows 8 will integrate seamlessly with our networks. It will make iPads for business virtually redundant, except for the trendys, and network admins will be much keener to interface with this. I think this targets a difference market to the iPad.

      Reply

    • GYTR_R1 says:

      07:20pm | 20/06/12

      Exactly. The Surface has the possibility of being a real game changer corporately. We won’t have to turn management away re connecting to the secure network, be able to run GPO’s, corporate anti-virus, update according to group defined rules, ensure the device is secure… Easier to lug around than a full blooded laptop. That then translates to home sales because you use one at work, and hey, it talks to the Xbox… As I said, potential game changer. Corporate sales and licensing is MS bread and butter. I bet they sell them at a discounted rate to schools too… Just like they do all of their software… Makes a whole new generation of MS devotee’s. Specs are out, as is rough pricing… $US500 for the RT, Ultrabook pricing for the Pro ($US1100-1500). Will also fit in nicely with the newly leaked Nokia Win8 mobile. Interesting potential that no-one else can compete with (Corporate, Home, Mobile, Gaming)

    • Fred says:

      02:49pm | 19/06/12

      If it was like Windows PCs and laptops and 1/2-1/3 the price of the equivalent Apple hardware I might be interested. However it’d probably last 1/2-1/3 the amount of time as an Apple product just like the Windows PCs and Laptops seem to before something breaks!

      I think the keyboard is great idea, how are you supposed to whinge on forums and blogs without one?

      Reply

    • Ben C says:

      04:19pm | 19/06/12

      @ Fred

      You must have rotten luck with your computers.

    • amy says:

      03:00pm | 19/06/12

      if I have to put up with tablet BS on my computer….dammit!

      it will be a scary world where your computer is a glorifed Ipad

      Reply

    • PhoenixGirl says:

      03:02pm | 19/06/12

      Finally! The device I have been waiting for.
      I don’t want some crappy iPad device that requires that I plug it into a PC in order to get it to work properly (let’s not even mention the crashing and regular resetting required)

      This is the answer, I was looking at an ultrabook but will be waiting for this now. Perfect!

      I have no doubt that Apple will continue to operate and sell devices to the stupid masses who haven’t a clue that they are paying top dollar for substandard devices. Shall we mention the fact that the media and journalists (who have probably been supplied free iPads by Apple) are their largest advertisers.

      Reply

    • Mr. Jordon says:

      04:03pm | 19/06/12

      You don’t have to plug an iPod into a computer to get it work properly. In fact, I don’t remember the last time I had to plug in to a computer.

      We have three iPads and never had a crash or to do a reset.

    • Mattb says:

      05:10pm | 19/06/12

      I agree Mr Jordan,

      And I find the whole my PC is better than your apple, my apple is better than your PC arguement puerile. Who honestly gives a fuck?, buy what you want, the only person you have to please is yourself.

      I rate Apple products, bought an ipod in 04, the model with the click wheel and the four function buttons above the wheel not incorperated into the wheel, only place you could buy them was in certain Myer stores in a hidden away corner. As a massive music fan it changed my life, I had my whole music collection of around 10000 songs in my pocket and I could AUX it into anything, fuck I was stoked!!.

      Had macbooks, iphones and Ipads since, really good products in my opinion.

      I use a windows lappy for work as its what work provideds me with, they got me a new one in march, it goes great, even tho I hate the constant security BS. Its funny though, my 3 year old macbook pro runs just as fast as the new PC.

      How many Apple products have you bought over the years PheonixGirl?, what exactly is it that you found wrong with them?, or were you just unable to understand how to use them?.

      Maybe your the ‘stupid one’ that simply cant get your head around someone else liking something you dont because it makes you feel insecure and inadequate. Maybe you still havent quite ‘risen from those ashes’, dont worry deary, we won’t tease you….

    • Lucas says:

      03:21pm | 19/06/12

      Not sure what the author of this article is on. Most of the worlds business computers run Microsoft Windows and most business specific applications are designed for Windows. I would love the ability to take my work PC on the run with me, but enjoy the functionality and portability of a tablet. Touchscreen keyboards suck for doing work, so the convertible keyboard is nice, and while having never seen this before, it appears to have a touchpad (so there is no need for a mouse). Carrying a USB is not really difficult, you can put it on your keys and have 64GB of memory. I think this device is exactly what I would want in a tablet, less of a toy and more of a tool.

      Reply

    • Shane From Melbourne says:

      03:39pm | 19/06/12

      This will appeal to the business orientated person who brings their work home but for the mass consumer the app market is where it is at. This is where Apple is at its strongest, despite Android competition. Microsoft will have to compete in the app market otherwise this tablet is doomed.

      Reply

    • amy says:

      04:56pm | 19/06/12

      what about the kind of people who build their own PC’s to run games at some sweet frame rate? or who will spend the money on a high end latop for that purpose

    • M says:

      05:54pm | 19/06/12

      I bought a gaming laptop specifically for that purpose. Unfortunately it’s a little heavy, but you get what you pay for i suppose. I’m at the point now where I’m considering getting a tablet just for ducking in and out of airports so I can leave the laptop at my place in gladstone when I take my RnR in Brisbane. And I want an e book reader that does a little more than a kindle does.

    • Emma says:

      03:54pm | 19/06/12

      Love my Asus transformer. It allows me to read copius amount of uni readings on the tablet, as well as the option of using the keyboard to type up assignments - which is hell easier than typing on the screen. And I can attach and detach the keyboard on the screen meaning I don’t need to use a flat surface to type.

      It is easier to carry around than 100 pages of uni readings and a laptop - smaller and lighter, I can download apps, read PDF’s, play games, read books etc etc.

      Absolutely suited to my needs.

      Reply

    • Disgruntled Goat says:

      04:25pm | 19/06/12

      Funny thing is how everyone is referring to apps, here is the thing from my understanding it will be running windows 8 so basically you can run almost any program you would on normal desktop/laptop I am sure no doubt there will be the “apps” optimized to work more efficiently on it but this is where I can see this “surface” taking off it it is marketed correctly and the most appealing thing a USB PORT!.
      Overall this device seems to be more of a mobile desktop than a larger smart phone like most tablets out there.

      Reply

    • NathanA says:

      04:57pm | 19/06/12

      No, it depends on which tablet (and consequently, which version of Windows 8) you get. Some models will get the full Windows 7 style environment, and others will be locked into the new Metro environment (save for a token desktop to run IE10 and Office - no option for any other existing Windows applications). I think my trying to fence sit, Microsoft is only going to confuse a lot of people.

    • Phil S says:

      08:07pm | 19/06/12

      NathanA, you aren’t quite correct.

      If you get a windows RT (ARM processor) based tablet/laptop you will only get metro, and old windows applications will not run.

      If you get a tablet/laptop eg the MS Surface Pro) (Intel CPU) you will get both the metro interface, and a windows 7 equivalent desktop, and you can switch between the two as you see fit. You can even disable metro completely if you like.

      metro basically acts as a visual start menu that takes up the whole screen, and can display entries for old “desktop” style apps, and will switch to he right mode when you launch one.

      You haven’t really lost anything at all. What MS have done is provide a clean interface for tablet users should they wish to use it.

    • Ben C says:

      04:33pm | 19/06/12

      Samsung has the Series 7 Slate running Windows 7. Gigabyte has the S-series, and the T-series running Windows 7. Both the Series 7 Slate and the S-series have keyboard attachments, while the T-series is a fully-fledged laptop that has a rotatable screen hinge which will convert it immediately into a tablet. Couple this with its dock, plug in a monitor, and you have a fully-fledged PC.

      I’ll be interested to see how Microsoft’s own offering shapes up against these machines.

      Reply

    • Adam R says:

      04:49pm | 19/06/12

      I don’t know why stylus’ are so hated by tech journalists. Honestly, the world has moved forward. I don’t want to be drawing a diagram with my fat fingers. The pen and paper have so many advantages over your finger, mouse and keyboard. Having it there isn’t going to kill anyone and it definitely appeals to me, I will almost definitely give up my laptop for something like this. I only use it for day to day tasks, my desktop is where I work mostly and a lot of work places have docks to leave your laptop in so you can use the bigger screen, keyboard and mouse while you’re at work. I don’t think it’s so much as a matter of lugging around a mouse and keyboard. (Even though the keyboard will be the cover and the mouse will be the screen), because the hardware will already be there.

      Reply

    • drg says:

      05:38pm | 19/06/12

      Claire, it’s truly is amazing how much you can diss a product without even seeing it. You tried to bag it but I’m glad that the majority of the comments are that people want one. And that includes me. I refused to buy an iPad because as many of my clients and customers are finding out, they are just glorified PDF viewers and so a lot are turning to Ultrabooks. This concept of MS is basically a tablet version of an Ultrabook and you’ll be able to do everything you do on a PC, on a tablet. Nothing wrong with that.

      Also, you don’t need a stylus to use it. it’s not a must. The stylus is there if you do decide to get the Intel version with the desktop on it and if you run a program like Photoshop or Access which weren’t designed for tablets. MS have been very smart here. The Metro interface and Windows 8 Apps are all designer tablet/finger friendly, but should you be out and about and need to urgently use a desktop application which wasn’t designed for the tablet, the stylus would be needed here. The majority of people who want it for recreation, entertainment and what ever else will get buy without a stylus. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the RT version without the desktop would even come with a stylus.

      It’s not always about making a dent in Apples bottom line. There’s a market and they just want a piece of it.

      Reply

    • Muggles says:

      08:21pm | 19/06/12

      ” I refused to buy an iPad because as many of my clients and customers are finding out, they are just glorified PDF viewers and so a lot are turning to Ultrabooks. “

      No.

      If you truly believe an iPad is a glorified PDF viewer, then you have failed to do your homework.

      One wonders if you’ve ever even used an iPad…

    • Daniel says:

      07:20pm | 19/06/12

      Instead of making silly tablets they should really pump some effort and dollars into Customer Service in Australia not India.

      Reply

    • Phil S says:

      08:03pm | 19/06/12

      Claire, I understand, as a journalist, you aren’t a techhead, but could you at least hold off blabbing your opinion until you are informed on the subject?

      Let’s focus on the stylus point. Did you know that the stylus in the asus eee slate (ep121/bp121) and the samsung series 7 slate IS A WACOM PEN??? That’s right, it has 256 pressure levels, and can interact with the PC without touching the screen (hover). Other tablets use an n-trig pen to do a similar thing. These tablets are fully powered pc’s (core i5/4gb ram/ssd). You can buy one from your local harvey norman.

      They work wonderfully for taking notes in apps like MS onenote (which supports the pressure sensitivity).

      So until you try one such tablet, and until we find out the technology behind the MS surface pen, I suggest you hold off judgement.

      One demographic that will eat this up will be students, who need a PC for word processing and would like note taking. MS one note can search handwriting!! no need to convert to text. Did you know that?

      I use one such tablets as my only computer besides my phone. No desktop. no laptop. no ipad/android tablet. I have less crap to carry around, less gadgets to waste money on, and no need for “cloud storage solutions”.

      These devices are the short term future for those who need full desktop applications, until we get dockable phones with the computing power of an ultrabook.

      Reply

    • Biggles says:

      08:15pm | 19/06/12

      Apple IOS and Windows may be sufficient for all you corporate desk pilots, but the day I walk into an aircraft cockpit and see an Apple or WIndows logo I’m retiring, give me a proper RTOS.

      Reply

    • Andrew says:

      12:34pm | 20/06/12

      I have some bad news about electronic flight bags for you then…

    • Muggles says:

      08:18pm | 19/06/12

      As a long time Mac user and developer, and as someone who thinks Windows is a mis-designed, ugly piece of awfulness, this has me interested.  One thing I dislike about the iPad is the lack of a native keyboard.  I think it’s an (arrogant, intentional) oversight on Apple’s part.

      At least with this device, Microsoft are showing that they are serious about evolving. And being practical. This could be a very good piece of kit for consultants.

      Oh, and BTW, all those people writing off the Mac or iPad or iPhone because hipsters use them?  Why are you letting OTHER PEOPLE dictate what you do?

      You’re just as bad as the hipsters. Get over yourselves and just use what you want to use. Good technology is good technology, regardless of the badge.

      Smart people use smart tools.

      Reply

    • prod says:

      11:02am | 20/06/12

      So Mr. apple developer
      Please tell me how I can get a 700mb video file or a 10mb pdf from a memory stick onto my ipad
      And please don’t tell me about the cloud or itunes.
      I just want to plug in a SD card, or USB device and transfer the file.
      Should be simple, instead, it’s not possible.

    • greg says:

      08:34pm | 19/06/12

      Claire,

      Do you really know what you are talking about? Most corporate users want a tablet that runs Windows. iPads might be cool but they don’t connect through corporate firewalls and all the fancy tablet apps do not work on thin clients. Basically they are a toy.
      We need more windows tablets, more competition, more innovation etc. Microsoft are doing the right thing and helping to lead the charge. A most welcome move in my opinion.

      Reply

    • TheRealDave says:

      08:46pm | 19/06/12

      What you haven’t fathomed in your several paragharps of ‘OMG! Its fgot a stylus and keybvoard!!!’ tripe is the fact that it will run Win 8 Pro - and do you know what that means Claire?? It means it will connect straight onto every single corporate, business, work, education and home suers network -seemlessly and securely. And thats not all Claire - no sir-ee Bob. Seeing as though how its full blown Win 8 Pro it will also run jsut about ALL of your application - note how I didn’t say APPS Claire, that you run on your current PC. Office 2010 - no probs. various Adobe application - eat em for breakfast,  MYOB - you betchya, your custome SQL database front end - easy peasy.

      Can your iPad do that Claire?? You’re Android pad?

      No - they can’t. And that is only scratchign the surface Claire. Withing a year at most no one will be running an iPad or Android pad in the corporate business market - why would they?? Not only that Claire - I think you’ll find plenty of laptop manufacturers are shitting themselves. Why buy a full blown lappie when this little bugger will do the same for 90% of the corporate workforce??

      And, for the record, the second these babies are available with the channel I’ll be buying about 200 of them ...and throwing out about 200 iPads, Android tabs and laptops….

      Reply

    • MoonShadow says:

      06:50am | 20/06/12

      The new system has a specific demographic target market - clearly you are not a part of that demographic. I own several notebooks, my current one with a Core I7 processor and eight GBs ram. I use that in preference to an iPad when I need to actually do some work. My work involves using the Adobe CS5.5 (soon to be 6) suite and this new device will run Photoshop, InDesign and the rest of the suite. It has a very definite target market - I am a part of that market. Currently I have to lug a large, heavy, slow to boot, short battery life laptop around. I look forward to the release of the new system.

      But when I want to play Words With Friends, or Scramble (I am way over Angry Birds) or listen to music I’ll use Stevie’s toy.

      Reply

    • Tchom says:

      09:23am | 20/06/12

      Can I write my own apps without having to upload them to iTunes?

      Reply

    • Paul says:

      01:05pm | 20/06/12

      Hey Claire, it really looks like you haven’t been following the debate and the development of this product.

      Reply

    • steveg says:

      03:07pm | 20/06/12

      Umm has anyone used both Zune and Itunes. Zune is so much more user friendly and the UX is a whole lot better and sexier.

      For a person who has thoroughly used the 3 main mobile environments iOS, Android and WP7.5 Ive got to say Windows Phone is a whole lot simpler for “everyday tasks” other then playing games. 80% of the main applications and average Joe Blow uses are on the phone. I got to say Ive never been a fan of Blackberry

      For the author (and commentors) of this blog.
      Thoroughly look and use the deveice before you comment.
      Try an Windows Phone out for 1 month. You wont go back to the pain of Android or the out of style “icon based” so 2005 feel of the iPhone.
      Its clean, easy and fresh

      No I dont work for MS or a WP company.

      Reply

    • Cletus says:

      03:21pm | 21/06/12

      Will it come with the option of a Linux processor?

      Reply
 
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