Windows 8 Tablets: iPad killer? iPad Competitor? Windows Killer?

[sclitheroe]

Another great review:

Microsoft’s new tablet is an altogether curious device. It’s something completely new and different. It is, in some ways, better than an iPad. In some ways, worse. It’s brilliant, and yet it can be puzzling as well. Confoundingly so at times. It’s a tablet of both compromises and confusion. It is a true hybrid — neither fully a desktop nor mobile device. That’s reflected in all sorts of ways. It is Wi-Fi only, but won’t run traditional Windows applications. It has a full-featured keyboard and runs Microsoft Office — but it’s certainly meant to be touched and swiped and tapped.

It’s different.

and:

Let’s at least get this out of the way: This is one of the most exciting pieces of hardware I’ve ever used. It is extremely well-designed; meticulous even.

http://www.wired.com/reviews/2012/10...t-surface/all/

Check out the animated GIF of him trying to wreck the kickstand - pretty cool

[SuperMatt18]

This device from ASUS is fairly impressive.

http://www.asus.com/Notebooks/Superi...US_TAICHI_21/#

Not sure I really need two screens but for some reason I want two screens.

[Inglewood Jack]

a disappointed review from Gizmodo:

http://gizmodo.com/5953866/microsoft...cal-heartbreak

the reviewer loves the look and feel of the hardware, but usage is bogged down by 3 big issues:

1. keyboard is hard to use

2. Windows RT is too underpowered and restrictive

3. app ecosystem is a barren wasteland

too bad, but like I figured, version 1.0 isn't going to be all there. maybe Surface Pro will help alleviate at least a few of the concerns.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Mike F

Is this from hands-on use?

Nope, pretty much pure speculation and opinion apart from the low res display and lack of apps. But my years of using Microsoft products daily makes me skeptical.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Inglewood Jack

a disappointed review from Gizmodo:

http://gizmodo.com/5953866/microsoft...cal-heartbreak

the reviewer loves the look and feel of the hardware, but usage is bogged down by 3 big issues:

1. keyboard is hard to use

2. Windows RT is too underpowered and restrictive

3. app ecosystem is a barren wasteland

too bad, but like I figured, version 1.0 isn't going to be all there. maybe Surface Pro will help alleviate at least a few of the concerns.

Unsurprising one of the first negative reviews would come from Gizmodo. But it's another data point, so add it to the pile for sure.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

Unsurprising one of the first negative reviews would come from Gizmodo. But it's another data point, so add it to the pile for sure.

Starting to really question listening to Gizmodo at all. When they go negative, it's generally blown out of proportion or the problems aren't really problems.

Engadget came out with their review as well and have to say, in general everybody seems to be feeling positive about it. Doesn't look like there are any serious flaws other than possibly a weak back camera and concern for price point.

[FlamingLonghorn]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

One thing that really irks me about all these competitor tablets is the absence of cellular data. Yes, I know about mobile hotspot etc, but I happen to enjoy the convenience of not having to mess around with my phone just to get Internet on my tablet.

I had a brief glimmer of hope when I noticed that Dell was doing preorders for their business-class Windows 8 Pro tablets. That soon vanished when I looked into it, and saw that only the most-expensive, 3rd option has cell data - and it's just HSPA. Not to mention only 2GB of RAM and an Atom processor (these run the full desktop OS, they're not to be compared to iPads and Androids).

I want:

- Windows 8 Pro x64
- 128GB Flash storage (not 32GB or 64GB augmented with a 64GB SD Card)
- 4GB RAM minimum (8GB preferred)
- Dual-Core 3rd Gen Core i5 mobile processor minimum
- Dual-band N WiFi
- Unlocked LTE cell data
- High-res IPS display panel (doesn't have to be Retina, 1080p would be fine)
- Solid build quality

Now THAT is a business tablet. I would gladly pay through the nose for that.

And you would probably be one of the few who would pay through the nose for it. PS oh and I know the US versions of the Dell Tablets have LTE built in

[nfotiu]

I am not really liking the idea of the windows pro version being made. It makes it too easy for it departments to incorporate it into their infrastructure. I would rather have an enterprise solution that supports the newer, more streamlined oses. Aside from the requisite ms products, everything I use at work is a web or java client anyway that could easily me made to run on any OS.

Also we have moved towards a 2 pc model for security reasons. One for email,Internet,etc, and one that isn't Internet connected for real work. So the tablet would probably be a good fit to replace the first one and has no real need for anything but email, Internet and office products. Problem is, who wants to create doc, and compose business emails on a tablet?

Its hard to predict how this will all sort out. I have a hard time seeing these ms products being successful in the consumer market though, as they are clearly the 3rd choice for most.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by Anduril

Starting to really question listening to Gizmodo at all. When they go negative, it's generally blown out of proportion or the problems aren't really problems.

Engadget came out with their review as well and have to say, in general everybody seems to be feeling positive about it. Doesn't look like there are any serious flaws other than possibly a weak back camera and concern for price point.

Gizmodo took the Surface RT, a tablet for all intents and purposes, and held it to the same standards as a full-blown laptop. It's like saying an iPad is rubbish because it can't do everything a Macbook can, pretty clear that the reviewer was reaching to make the interview as negative as possible.

The lack of applications will be addressed in time.

[chemgear]

The Verge review (7.0):

http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/23/3...surface-review


Maybe I say this too often, but I wanted to love this device. Actually, I wanted to love the Surface when I first saw it, before I even got my hands on the review unit. It made Windows 8 make sense in a way other products had not, and I could see a world where this kind of device was the only one I carried with me. Once I did get the review unit, I wanted to love it even more. And truth be told, there is a lot here to love. Plenty — but not enough for me right now.

The promise of the Surface was that it could deliver a best-in-class tablet experience, but then transform into the PC you needed when heavier lifting was required. Instead of putting down my tablet and picking up my laptop, I would just snap on my keyboard and get my work done. But that's not what the Surface offers, at least not in my experience. It does the job of a tablet and the job of a laptop half as well as other devices on the market, and it often makes that job harder, not easier. Instead of being a no-compromise device, it often feels like a more-compromise one.

There may be a time in the future when all the bugs have been fixed, the third-party app support has arrived, and some very smart engineers in Redmond have ironed out the physical kinks in this type of product which prevent it from being all that it can be. But that time isn't right now — and unfortunately for Microsoft, the clock is ticking.

[chemgear]

Anandtech:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6385/m...surface-review

More impressive than the fact that Microsoft brought competitive parity to the Windows tablet usage model is the fact that power efficiency doesn't seem to be an issue for Windows RT. Microsoft has built a mobile OS that is capable of, at least based on what we've seen today with Surface, being competitive with Android and iOS solutions when it comes to battery life. With lower power silicon inside, Microsoft could do even better.

I don't believe Surface is perfect, but it's a platform I can believe in. What I'm most excited about is to see what happens after a second or third rev of the design. I would have liked to have seen faster hardware inside (I'd love to see an Atom based version). There are also some rough edges that could use smoothing out (e.g. the power connector and HDMI output come to mind) and Windows RT likely needs another round of updates (app launch times are far too long, more apps needed) but overall the device is easily in recommendable territory. The biggest issue I have with recommending Surface today is that you know the next iteration of the device is likely going to be appreciably better, with faster/more efficient hardware and perhaps even a better chassis.

If you're ok being an early adopter, and ok dealing with the fact that mobile devices are still being significantly revved every year, Surface is worth your consideration. If you've wanted a tablet that could begin to bridge the content consumption and productivity divide, Surface is it.

[Mike F]

nm

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by FlamingLonghorn

And you would probably be one of the few who would pay through the nose for it.

I think you'd find the market for that kind of device to be much larger than you think.

[Rathji]

Anyone read anything that would indicate that Remote Web Workplace will work from IE 10 in Windows RT?

My boss is dying to have us in IT trial run these as options for staff, but won't bite for sure unless we can get confirmation. Google is so crowded with other Windows 8 news right now that I can't find anything solid.

I guess it really just boils down to ActiveX being supported, since there is obviously a supported RP client.

[FlamingLonghorn]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I think you'd find the market for that kind of device to be much larger than you think.

It's already filled by devices called laptops. I think the closest you are going to get to it is this:

http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-12-l221...474,901pdb6671

The market for $1500 tablets isn't that large. Ask Motion Computing/Dell/HP who have all had or still have full laptop spec'd tablets out there. Motion would be your best hope for such a device as that is their niche. There's a reason most people haven't heard of them outside of the healthcare industry.

[FanIn80]

Except that Windows 8 changes the game entirely. The top-end tablets of the past weren't adopted because they ran a desktop OS with a desktop UI. Now we have a desktop OS with a tablet UI.

[woob]

Originally Posted by Inglewood Jack

a disappointed review from Gizmodo:

http://gizmodo.com/5953866/microsoft...cal-heartbreak

the reviewer loves the look and feel of the hardware, but usage is bogged down by 3 big issues:

1. keyboard is hard to use

2. Windows RT is too underpowered and restrictive

3. app ecosystem is a barren wasteland

too bad, but like I figured, version 1.0 isn't going to be all there. maybe Surface Pro will help alleviate at least a few of the concerns.

Gee, a website which falls over itself trying to fellate Apple products gave a less than stellar review to an MS product. Surprising.

[FlamingLonghorn]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Except that Windows 8 changes the game entirely. The top-end tablets of the past weren't adopted because they ran a desktop OS with a desktop UI. Now we have a desktop OS with a tablet UI.

Maybe I am wrong, but Apple could have easily made the necessary changes to their OS to get this functionality and they could have charged a huge premium which they love to do, but they haven't done it. What business apps would this tablet be better for that wouldn't be a better experience on a laptop? Also to get the lightweight small frame of a tablet that machine would have about 30 mins of battery life.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by FlamingLonghorn

Maybe I am wrong, but Apple could have easily made the necessary changes to their OS to get this functionality and they could have charged a huge premium which they love to do, but they haven't done it.

Are you saying that because Apple hasn't done something, it's not a good idea?

Originally Posted by FlamingLonghorn

What business apps would this tablet be better for that wouldn't be a better experience on a laptop? Also to get the lightweight small frame of a tablet that machine would have about 30 mins of battery life.

The whole point of Windows 8 Pro (i.e. x86) machines is that you don't choose between laptop and tablet. You have a touch screen that can be used as a tablet to your heart's content, then docked to a keyboard (traditional or something like the Surface Type Cover) for any business apps that benefit from a proper keyboard.

As for battery life, the Samsung ATIV 700T comes close to his specs and boasts 8 hour battery life with regular usage.

[edslunch]

Does Pro include a trackpad in the keyboard? You can't really use touch to interact with legacy Windows apps. Or do you need to plug in a mouse?

I still have a concern about the keyboard as I'm sitting here with my laptop on my, you know, lap. True, for hard-core typing I will sit at a desk. But it takes an awful lot to make me want to get up off the couch.