A Microsoft Tablet???

[Zink]

My bet is $500 and $800 base. Probably $60 for the keyboard.

 

[tornadog]

if they can do a 499 base price, they have a winner on their hands!

 

[Dominato3r]

I agree, except for the incredible stupidity of two different totally incompatible tablets. What genius thought that up? Why in the hell would you completely split your developer and user bases like that?

They arent. The new run time allows for metro apps to work on both x86 and arm windows devices, no emulation.

 

[kaerflog]

I'd say the ARM version with the keyboard/cover for $499 would be a fair deal.

 

[Pheran]

They arent. The new run time allows for metro apps to work on both x86 and arm windows devices, no emulation.

Even if that is true, it's going to be double effort to debug and optimize these apps running in two radically different environments.

 

[kaerflog]

I can't see Win8 tablets failing.
We will see all the traveling business people carrying these Win8 tablets vs a laptop.

 

[sygyzy]

That keyboard is sick!

 

[luv2liv]

it has HDMI, and microSD for expansion. im sold!!

why didnt we think of a smart cover that also doubles as a kb!!!!

 

[SLCentral]

This thing looks awesome. Based on the specs PDF, looks like the RT version will have a 720p screen and the higher-end version will have a full 1080p resolution. Seems fair enough, but it is bad timing for Microsoft considering the iPad 3 has such a higher resolution screen and has almost "set the bar" at that type of resolution, even at the $500 price point.

That said, this is very tempting. I don't use my iPad much now, but even so I'm really tempted by this...

Also, looks like the RT version doesn't have the digitize to use the pen as an input. Fair enough, but would have been nice to have. Can't justify a $1500+ tablet.

 

[quikah]

They seriously didn't announce the price? WTH.

 

[Pheran]

This thing looks awesome. Based on the specs PDF, looks like the RT version will have a 720p screen and the higher-end version will have a full 1080p resolution. Seems fair enough, but it is bad timing for Microsoft considering the iPad 3 has such a higher resolution screen and has almost "set the bar" at that type of resolution, even at the $500 price point.

That said, this is very tempting. I don't use my iPad much now, but even so I'm really tempted by this...

I think the iPad resolution is actually somewhat overkill, and that 1080p is perfectly fine for a 10" tablet. However, based on MS' "comparable to ultrabook pricing" comment, I don't think you'll be getting the Win8 model for less than $1K.

 

[Super56K]

This thing looks awesome. Based on the specs PDF, looks like the RT version will have a 720p screen and the higher-end version will have a full 1080p resolution. Seems fair enough, but it is bad timing for Microsoft considering the iPad 3 has such a higher resolution screen and has almost "set the bar" at that type of resolution, even at the $500 price point.

That said, this is very tempting. I don't use my iPad much now, but even so I'm really tempted by this...

I'm with you there. Microsoft has an enticing ARM package, but then that resolution...and then 16:9 widescreen.

 

[sygyzy]

I can't imagine they'll sell a lot of the Pro version unless they can convince users to consider tablets as ubiquitous as notebooks. You know the pro version is going to be pricey ($800+) when they say it's priced like Ultrabooks. Tablets, even really nice ones like the iPad, are primarily a consumption device. Yes, you could write a novel on it or edit some charts in Excel but primarily it's to take in information (ie watch Movies, play Games). I think I am sold on the RT version which is meant to be a tablet OS/device. I am ok with 32GB/64GB. I don't need 128GB on a tablet.

 

[Super56K]

Microsoft getting off on being withholding. How much?

 

[notposting]

Even if that is true, it's going to be double effort to debug and optimize these apps running in two radically different environments.

What? No. It's separated from the hardware.

Now if you want to make a desktop app, it will only be running on x86. So motivation for developers to focus on Metro apps (which will be easily ported to WP8 and presumably the next XBox as well).

 

[Ns1]

is it me or did they totally ignore pricing, except to say that it will be "competitive"?

 

[Pheran]

is it me or did they totally ignore pricing, except to say that it will be "competitive"?

It's a lame paper launch with no pricing. Based on their comments, the RT version won't be out until fall, and the Pro version may not even make it until 2013.

 

[Zink]

is it me or did they totally ignore pricing, except to say that it will be "competitive"?

Yep, probably $600 and $900+, otherwise they would have told us the numbers. If people expect them to be cheap they can build up more hype.

 

[Dominato3r]

I can't imagine they'll sell a lot of the Pro version unless they can convince users to consider tablets as ubiquitous as notebooks. You know the pro version is going to be pricey ($800+) when they say it's priced like Ultrabooks. Tablets, even really nice ones like the iPad, are primarily a consumption device. Yes, you could write a novel on it or edit some charts in Excel but primarily it's to take in information (ie watch Movies, play Games). I think I am sold on the RT version which is meant to be a tablet OS/device. I am ok with 32GB/64GB. I don't need 128GB on a tablet.

The Pro tablet is being talked about more as a laptop replacement. The RT version more like an arm tablet

 

[Ns1]

It's a lame paper launch

hate paper launches.

 

[Mopetar]

I think the iPad resolution is actually somewhat overkill, and that 1080p is perfectly fine for a 10" tablet. However, based on MS' "comparable to ultrabook pricing" comment, I don't think you'll be getting the Win8 model for less than $1K.

Yeah, those will probably have one of the low-power IB chips in them. Very power efficient for an x86 chip, but also considerably more expensive than an ARM SoC.

 

[jalaram]

It's a lame paper launch with no pricing. Based on their comments, the RT version won't be out until fall, and the Pro version may not even make it until 2013.

Looking great and having great specs doesn't mean much if there's no real date and price IMO. I know they said around the Win 8 launch, but it still felt like a big balloon deflating.

 

[Binky]

The Acer Win8 tablet is expected at $800-$1,000. I'd expect similar pricing for the pro MS tablet.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5968/acers-iconia-w700-tablet-windows-8

 

[pcslookout]

The Acer Win8 tablet is $800-$1,000. I'd expect similar pricing for the pro MS tablet.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5968/acers-iconia-w700-tablet-windows-8

Same.

 

[finbarqs]

imagine if Steve Jobs was MS's PR guy... He can turn all of these into gold nuggets!