Microsoft Zune Tablet released
Jun 18, 2012 | 7:19 pm
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Microsoft Zune Tablet released
http://www.idownloadblog.com/2012/06...duces-surface/
How long before this next iPad killer dies in the marketplace?
We had a hunch that Microsoft’s media event today would have something to do with a tablet, and it looks like we were right. The Windows-makers have just unveiled a new slate called the Microsoft Surface.
Described as a “tablet that’s a great PC, and a PC that’s a great tablet,” the Surface looks to be much more than an iPad competitor. It has a 10.6-inch display, magnesium casing, and weighs in at just 1.5 pounds…
Other features of the Surface include a full-sized USB 2.0 port, 9.33mm profile, and a built-in kickstand. And Microsoft has also introduced an interesting accessory for the slate, a multitouch keyboard with a built-in trackpad.
Described as a “tablet that’s a great PC, and a PC that’s a great tablet,” the Surface looks to be much more than an iPad competitor. It has a 10.6-inch display, magnesium casing, and weighs in at just 1.5 pounds…
Other features of the Surface include a full-sized USB 2.0 port, 9.33mm profile, and a built-in kickstand. And Microsoft has also introduced an interesting accessory for the slate, a multitouch keyboard with a built-in trackpad.
Jun 18, 2012 | 7:38 pm
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I have to give it to MS -- they never give up! But nobody wants a Windows tablet. I give it 6 months before they pull the plug on this one.
Jun 18, 2012 | 7:50 pm
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The specs of Surface are interesting. I read a brief "review" (more like commentary than an actual review) on Engadget that was favourable enough. The inclusion of a standard USB port will undoubtedly be useful.
But as the folks from RIM found out, in the end it all depends on how the thing really works (or doesn't). It's simply not enough to have a touch screen covered in gorilla glass where you can pinch to zoom / shrink your photos. The tablet experience needs to be so much more than that.
Kudos to Microsoft for trying though. And at this very early stage, it's possible they may have gotten some things right such as the cover keyboard and the pen input. But obviously we'll have to wait and see what the real thing is like before passing judgement.
In the meantime, my trusty iPad2 and my new iPhone4S will be more than sufficient to keep me going!
But as the folks from RIM found out, in the end it all depends on how the thing really works (or doesn't). It's simply not enough to have a touch screen covered in gorilla glass where you can pinch to zoom / shrink your photos. The tablet experience needs to be so much more than that.
Kudos to Microsoft for trying though. And at this very early stage, it's possible they may have gotten some things right such as the cover keyboard and the pen input. But obviously we'll have to wait and see what the real thing is like before passing judgement.
In the meantime, my trusty iPad2 and my new iPhone4S will be more than sufficient to keep me going!
Jun 18, 2012 | 9:47 pm
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Jun 18, 2012 | 9:55 pm
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No, they're not using the Zune name. OP seemingly is having flashbacks.
It's the Microsoft Surface tablet. Surface for Windows RT, Surface for Windows Pro, and associated touch covers.
Read/see a good overview of the presentation at http://live.theverge.com/microsoft-l...-announcement/
It's the Microsoft Surface tablet. Surface for Windows RT, Surface for Windows Pro, and associated touch covers.
Read/see a good overview of the presentation at http://live.theverge.com/microsoft-l...-announcement/
Jun 18, 2012 | 10:06 pm
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Jun 18, 2012 | 10:09 pm
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I'm rather surprised people on this site aren't more excited about this. From my perspective, I don't want a tablet, I want to be able to produce not just consume with my electronic devices. It would seem that the form factor (keyboard option) the weight/size, and the opportunity to run traditional windows applications as well as the new Windows 8 apps, would make this a no brainer for anyone who travels frequently.
I recently purchased a dm1z from HP, specifically because of the size and battery capabilities. If it wasn't for the frequent travel, I would say this thing sucks. But I'm grateful to have it because of flying frequently. The opportunity for me to get a device that is even smaller/lighter and have the touchscreen is a really big deal.
How this can be mocked as an iPad killer is beyond me. It doesn't feel like a tablet to me, as I view this more as a laptop. Something the iPad CLEARLY is not.
I recently purchased a dm1z from HP, specifically because of the size and battery capabilities. If it wasn't for the frequent travel, I would say this thing sucks. But I'm grateful to have it because of flying frequently. The opportunity for me to get a device that is even smaller/lighter and have the touchscreen is a really big deal.
How this can be mocked as an iPad killer is beyond me. It doesn't feel like a tablet to me, as I view this more as a laptop. Something the iPad CLEARLY is not.
Last edited by rybob1; Jun 18, 2012 at 10:32 pm
Jun 18, 2012 | 10:31 pm
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I'm rather surprised people on this site aren't more excited about this. From my perspective, I don't want a tablet, I want to be able to produce not just consume with my electronic devices. It would seem that the form factor (keyboard option) the weight/size, and the opportunity to run traditional windows applications as well as the new Windows 8 apps, would make this a no brainer for anyone who travels frequently.
I recently purchased a dm1z from HP, specifically because of the size and battery capabilities. If it wasn't for the frequent travel, I would say this thing sucks. But I'm grateful to have it because of flying frequently. The opportunity for me to get a device that is even smaller/lighter and have the touchscreen is a really big deal.
How this can be mocked as an iPad killer is beyond me. It doesn't feel like a laptop to me, as I view this more as a laptop. Something the iPad CLEARLY is not.
I recently purchased a dm1z from HP, specifically because of the size and battery capabilities. If it wasn't for the frequent travel, I would say this thing sucks. But I'm grateful to have it because of flying frequently. The opportunity for me to get a device that is even smaller/lighter and have the touchscreen is a really big deal.
How this can be mocked as an iPad killer is beyond me. It doesn't feel like a laptop to me, as I view this more as a laptop. Something the iPad CLEARLY is not.
Jun 18, 2012 | 11:30 pm
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^^
Oooooh...... post #5,000!!
Jun 19, 2012 | 4:40 am
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Looks like a winner to me, as long as they don't make the mistake of trying to sell it for more than the cost of an equivalent iPad. Bundling Office is an inspired bit of thinking and the case/keyboard looks fine for light content creation and blogging.
Jun 19, 2012 | 5:23 am
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Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3G: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_1_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9B206 Safari/7534.48.3)
When you come to the party at such a late stage, you need a USP, or multiple USPs (if that isn't oxymoronic). I don't see a killer one at this point.
Apple & Google together have raised the bar hugely and a whole generation of potential customers is growing up to whom MS means effectively nothing. RIM showed the enterprise market isn't the lock it was, so MS have a real battle to build a meaningful niche. They certainly have the resources, but they need a real USP to make it register.
When you come to the party at such a late stage, you need a USP, or multiple USPs (if that isn't oxymoronic). I don't see a killer one at this point.
Apple & Google together have raised the bar hugely and a whole generation of potential customers is growing up to whom MS means effectively nothing. RIM showed the enterprise market isn't the lock it was, so MS have a real battle to build a meaningful niche. They certainly have the resources, but they need a real USP to make it register.