Microsoft’s last week announcement about its new tablet Surface, came as a shock for all of us. Kudos to them, that they managed to keep it a secret for a long time. The device however is definitely a head turner as it includes the feature to double up as an ultrabook.
When I looked up for a tablet, few things came into my mind that cant be done on it. Mainstream tablets today do not include support for conventional ports, Surface does!. Best of all, it supports almost all the applications that run on Windows (yes, Windows!). The Metro UI of Windows 8 provides Surface the versatility of a Tablet as well as the robustness of a laptop. So, yes you can work conventionally on Microsoft Word as well as play Angry Birds on the same device. Its great, aint it? (Hear that, Mr. Cook?)
“The Surface is a PC. The Surface is a tablet. And the Surface is something new that we think people will absolutely love,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at the event.
Surface for Windows RT will be available with either 32 GB or 64 GB of flash storage and will be priced “like comparable tablets (read iPad)” that use Nvidia’s ARM processor, said Steven Sinofsky, president of Microsoft’s Windows and Windows Live division. Surface for Windows 8 Professional will come in 64 GB and 128 GB models, feature an Intel Core i5 CPU, and be priced comparably with “competitive Ultrabook-class PCs.” Microsoft will provide more pricing and packaging details as the Surface’s shipping dates draw near. Hence we can expect the base versions to be around $500 and the top end versions to be around $800. But if you ask me, I would say that $800 for a complete tablet and ultrabook experience is still cheap.
With a built in kickstand, and detachable keyboard would hardly make it a “Lap”top, so we can expect Surface users looking for a flat table every now and then. Initial versions of Surface are expected to be Wi-Fi only, but that shouldn’t be a deal breaker. Adding Wi-Fi connectivity through a MiFi or other plug-in mobile device ( is an option for the early Surface user who wants more. It’s an added expense, but it least it’s an option; unlike with the USB-less iPads.
Verdict
The hardware is sleek and polished. USB, memory card storage and video output open a world of possibilities while remaining essentially a tablet, but Microsoft still lacks on the app market sector. Some of the things are still in the dark like the experience and availability. It can be used both as a business as well as entertainment device, then again, these all are speculations. To answer the title, only time can tell! :)
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It’s certainly an interesting option but I suspect they wil always struggle to catch-up with Apple. I am a long time PC user and never went near a Mac. However I am totally in love with my iPhone and iPad! They are just great devices for what they do!
These are that kind of experience which can take us to popularity where we can direct meet with that kind of options which we never applied for our work.
I very much appreciate its shape, very interesting, but the price then, Mrs. higher
It’s always good to see competition, and if nothing else Microsoft will give Apple just that. Unfortunately for Microsoft, Apple has gotten a huge head start at cornering the market for tablets that people want. As things progress though look for Microsoft to up the ante and come up with new ideas in the tablet design and functionality that will gain them sales, much in the same way they did when they launched x box when playstation was the hot selling product.
I like the look of it and I love the windows functionality which you can’t get on an ipad. I am currently using an Asus windows tablet, it is a little heavy, however a 10″ screen and all my windows programs make it indispensable
wow! wow! wow! i like it. i like everything about it’s look as well as it’s windows functionality. i know one day they will catch up with apple in every aspect. did they mention the date when they are going to introduce it to the market? i would really like to know that.
thanks
mohd