A Microsoft Tablet???

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Eug

Lifer
Mar 11, 2000
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I'm not sure the form factor per se is a game changer. I think the fact that it's ARM in the base model, in a non-smartphone OS that is potentially the game changer for MS.

So, can I run say Photoshop on Windows 8 for ARM?

Optimized quad-core ARM might be as fast as dual-core Atom, but even if the software works, will it perform even worse, because of a required translation layer for some stuff, and the lack of certain built-in instructions?
 
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jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
Moderator
Aug 23, 2003
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Brilliant industrial design on the Touch Cover. In one fell swoop, they made Apple's Smart Cover look like an ancient relic.
 

Eug

Lifer
Mar 11, 2000
24,186
1,826
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Brilliant industrial design on the Touch Cover. In one fell swoop, they made Apple's Smart Cover look like an ancient relic.
As mentioned before, integrated keyboards in covers have existed for a long time now.

However, I do agree in that I've never been enthused by Apple's smart cover. I like the magnets, but as a stand it's quite unstable.
 

destrekor

Lifer
Nov 18, 2005
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I can't find any information on the digitizer:

Is this going to have the improvements Microsoft was working on for touch-screens? Where the delay between touch and recognition is basically gone?
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
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I can't find any information on the digitizer:

Is this going to have the improvements Microsoft was working on for touch-screens? Where the delay between touch and recognition is basically gone?

http://www.slashgear.com/microsoft-surface-to-feature-digital-ink-stylus-support-18234493/

Microsoft’s new Surface actually features two digitizers instead of a single one like most tablets. At the event live they said it best by stating, “This surface has two digitizers. One for touch, one for digital ink.” All stylus or pen input is converted into digital ink and the new Surface tablet is extremely responsive and accurate.

The distance between the screen (digitizer) and the stylus is only .7mm thick, and allows for it to be highly accurate, making you feel like the ballpoint of a pen is actually writing on the “surface”. Surface will see the proximity of a stylus and stop recognizing hand inputs. We’ve seen this before with the HTC Flyer tablet only they had a special digitizer, not two. Then in a similar fashion as their new smart cover the stylus conveniently magnetizes to the magnesium body of the tablet for simple and easy storage. Hopefully we’ll get hands-on with all the goodies so stay tuned for additional details live.
 

Puddle Jumper

Platinum Member
Nov 4, 2009
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But can you buy one as an addon? If it doesn't work completely then yeah, that's stupid. If it's just not included with the ARM version that's fine.

There is viable no way to add on a digitizer, the tablet either has it or it doesn't.
 

at80eighty

Senior member
Jun 28, 2004
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never could get into the ipads, this just seems to hit just enough of the right buttons for me to finally pick up my first tablet.

[edit] the digitizer looks like a winner. you should look at the keynote somewhere 24:00 approx into it
 
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Mopetar

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2011
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anyone who needs a pen with digitizer and runs ms office on a frequent basis.

But would this person have bought an iPad to begin with? It obviously doesn't satisfy their needs, so unless they were going to buy it for personal use, I don't think it changes much, at least not in terms of affecting sales.

That's why I think it's silly to compare the professional version to the iPad. It's in a different market segment and will probably create more new sales than it takes away from other tablets.
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
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But would this person have bought an iPad to begin with? It obviously doesn't satisfy their needs, so unless they were going to buy it for personal use, I don't think it changes much, at least not in terms of affecting sales.

Yes, and they would have lived with it's limitation(s).

I know this because I live it (have both android and iOS devices and they are lacking in the same space - note taking)
 

Puddle Jumper

Platinum Member
Nov 4, 2009
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Yes, and they would have lived with it's limitation(s).

I know this because I live it (have both android and iOS devices and they are lacking in the same space - note taking)

Yup, I have to wonder if the people who suggest using a capactive stylus have every actually tried to use one. I've got a Adonit Jot Pro which is supposed to be the best capacitive stylus for writing and it's downright horrible compared to the Wacom digitizer on a 10 year old tablet pc.

Despite Windows 7 being downright horrible as a tablet os it's unfortunately still the best option for note taking. Hopefully the Galaxy Note 10.1 and these new Windows 8 slates will change that.
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
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Yup, I have to wonder if the people who suggest using a capactive stylus have every actually tried to use one. I've got a Adonit Jot Pro which is supposed to be the best capacitive stylus for writing and it's downright horrible compared to the Wacom digitizer on a 10 year old tablet pc.

Cap. stylus are useful for draw something and mark up, but terrible for any actual writing. Thanks for the remarks on the Adonit, was actually considering one.
 

Puddle Jumper

Platinum Member
Nov 4, 2009
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Cap. stylus are useful for draw something and mark up, but terrible for any actual writing. Thanks for the remarks on the Adonit, was actually considering one.

I'm not completely sure if my problems with it are the stylus itself or the apps I am trying to use for notetaking. I am going to see if I can get my hands on a Latitude ST at work and see how OneNote does with it.

It is still better than any of the other capacitive styluses I have tried.
 

poofyhairguy

Lifer
Nov 20, 2005
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anyone who needs a pen with digitizer and runs ms office on a frequent basis.

Business users will find the ARM version of Office lacking:

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/enterpr...on-windows-rt-tablets-be-banned-in-businesses

I completely don't understand MS's ARM stradegy. It is almost as if they want that side to fail so they can tell shareholders "We tried to go toe to toe with the iPad and no one wanted it. x86 is our future."


I am also a little disappointed Gates wasn't there in some capacity. I know he is long gone, but this stuff is his ten year old tablet dream coming to life!