A Microsoft Tablet???

[jalaram]

That seems reasonable for the pro but the Windows RT based model is overpriced.

Don't forget that it will be 32GB, not 16. Plus, I think it will include Office and a keyboard cover.

 

[finbarqs]

people won't care. All they see is "iPad 499, Surface 599. Why would I get the Surface for MORE than the iPad?"

The problem is that Microsoft has no name and reputation like Apple's. Though it's arguably the best tablet out there "to the general public, it IS the best tablet -- price and sales proves it" why would they pay more for something they don't see as the best?

Sure MS can say as much as they want "but it runs photoshop!" but the truth is, Apple was here first. They made their mark. They've been laughed and scoffed at, and they prevailed as the BEST selling tablet in the world. And they made a reputation for themselves to the general public. Everyone has TRIED to break that wall down (WebOS and the Touchpad) but eventually failed. Android is the closest, and they have to do it by selling it cheaper than the iPad.

If you put the best Android Tablet, next to the iPad, people are going for the iPad FIRST then the Android, unless there's something that entices them to go for Android (i.e. price). They don't care about the mobileOS vs. Desktop OS. It just works.

But for geeks like you and me, hell yeah, this is the first tablet I'll purchase!

 

[Ns1]

Why would I get the Surface for MORE than the iPad?"

Office + Stylus

 

[dagamer34]

people won't care. All they see is "iPad 499, Surface 599. Why would I get the Surface for MORE than the iPad?"

The problem is that Microsoft has no name and reputation like Apple's. Though it's arguably the best tablet out there "to the general public, it IS the best tablet -- price and sales proves it" why would they pay more for something they don't see as the best?

Sure MS can say as much as they want "but it runs photoshop!" but the truth is, Apple was here first. They made their mark. They've been laughed and scoffed at, and they prevailed as the BEST selling tablet in the world. And they made a reputation for themselves to the general public. Everyone has TRIED to break that wall down (WebOS and the Touchpad) but eventually failed. Android is the closest, and they have to do it by selling it cheaper than the iPad.

If you put the best Android Tablet, next to the iPad, people are going for the iPad FIRST then the Android, unless there's something that entices them to go for Android (i.e. price). They don't care about the mobileOS vs. Desktop OS. It just works.

But for geeks like you and me, hell yeah, this is the first tablet I'll purchase!

If people are so easily swayed by prices (one is $499, the other is $599), then they should be equally swayed by the Surface RT tablet having Office and a keyboard.

We should also point out that last year, the top selling iPad 2 model was not the 16GB WiFi, but 64GB WiFi+3G model: http://appadvice.com/appnn/2011/05/apples-tablet-share-drops-80-percent-quarter-report

 

[happysmiles]

That seems reasonable for the pro but the Windows RT based model is overpriced.

$599 for 32gb SSD.
For what Microsoft is offering it's worth it but if they really wanted to do some damage it would be $499.

 

[Eug]

If people are so easily swayed by prices (one is $499, the other is $599), then they should be equally swayed by the Surface RT tablet having Office and a keyboard.

We should also point out that last year, the top selling iPad 2 model was not the 16GB WiFi, but 64GB WiFi+3G model: http://appadvice.com/appnn/2011/05/apples-tablet-share-drops-80-percent-quarter-report

If true, I suspect there are geographical reasons for this.

In North America my impression (based Amazon sales ranks and other indicators) is that by far the most popular iPad was the WiFi only model, 16 GB.

 

[destrekor]

Office + Stylus

Well, that's for the one that will carry an Ultrabook pricetag. That one (presumably between 800-1000, hopefully no more), won't really be taking away too many iPad sales, though likely a few.
The WindowsRT model, which if Microsoft sees fit to demonstrate some more brains (they are on the right track, imho), will be priced at or just below an iPad's price... that one will be the one to take away sales (if any) of the iPad.

I'm skeptical of the Windows RT model, mainly because the internal hardware is important imho and the GPU will likely be quite lacking - but many don't look that deep. If priced right (and depending on what other vendors end up producing around the same timeframe), I think it has a shot to take away some sales. It offers a little more productivity than an iPad, so it will get those sales.
On the whole, aside from removing a desktop-centric environment from Windows 8 (for a desktop PC), I'm really digging Windows 8 and think Windows RT is quite neat too.
I'm quite interested in the "Pro" model, for the full x86 environment, but hopefully vendors produce some competition just so I can make a strong judgment. I'm digging the overall design of the Surface, ridiculous name aside.

"What type of iPad is that?"
"It's the Surface"
"What about the surface? I can tell it's not Apple, so what type of iPad is that?"
":facepalm: it's called the Surface."
"oh. that's a stupid name."

Regardless, priced right, I want that Pro model.

It'd be interesting though, as so far I don't imagine I'll switch to Win 8 for my PC - possibly, but not likely. And I cannot envision dropping Android for my phones yet - a nice Win Phone 8 PMP to replace my ZuneHD, that would be awesome - just haven't discovered anything as awesome as ZunePass but I'm not ready to drop Android just to consolidate devices/make life easier for one feature only.
I've been dreaming of a dual-boot Win8/Android tablet, so I can sync various things between my multiple devices with little effort. Android tablets are great if you are heavily into Android, and having the full Windows experience on a tablet (Windows 8, at least) would be pretty damn sweet. Syncing between desktop and tablet is most preferred but dammit Metro isn't really all that awesome with a mouse and keyboard.

This fall/winter: there will be decisions to be made.

 

[podspi]

Without the stylus, and Tegra 3, if the WinRT version comes at around the same price as an iPad, I think I'd pass.

If the Pro version isn't too expensive it could be worth it, depending on the clockspeeds of that i5. Still, if that RT version comes in under $400 it is going to be mine.

 

[SithSolo1]

Estimated prices of the Windows 8 Pro-based Surface tablet PC with Ivy Bridge processor to be at least above US$799, while the Windows RT-based model, featuring Nvidia's Tegra 3, will be priced above US$599. -- http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20120619PD210.html

The key part of this rumor is in bold. I've seen it thrown around a lot lately minus the bold and its not the same.

For the Pro that could mean anything from $799.01 to $50k. Although I'm guessing $850-900 out the door. Same for the RT. Its already overpriced at $599, good luck above that.

 

[Eug]

I'm guessing $599.99 for the base model... which I think is too high. $499.99 would be borderline, and $399.99 would be decent.

 

[dagamer34]

Without the stylus, and Tegra 3, if the WinRT version comes at around the same price as an iPad, I think I'd pass.

If the Pro version isn't too expensive it could be worth it, depending on the clockspeeds of that i5. Still, if that RT version comes in under $400 it is going to be mine.

$399 for 32GB Windows RT tablet? Are you smoking something?

It'll be $499 or $549. If people can't realize that $499 for 32GB tablet + full version of Office is at least comparable to a $499 for 16GB iPad with no productivity apps, I have lost all faith in humanity (and it's also probably a good reason why everyone is in debt, poor comprehension skills).

 

[poofyhairguy]

If people can't realize that $499 for 32GB tablet + full version of Office is at least comparable to a $499 for 16GB iPad with no productivity apps, I have lost all faith in humanity (and it's also probably a good reason why everyone is in debt, poor comprehension skills).

I think you overstate how much people care to be productive with their tablets.

 

[MrX8503]

From rumors, it looks like the RT will be a 720p Tegra 3 tablet. That's pretty low end and it won't be released until Fall. I suspect that it'll be priced at $400 or $500. Any more than that, no one is going to buy it.

 

[podspi]

$399 for 32GB Windows RT tablet? Are you smoking something?

It'll be $499 or $549. If people can't realize that $499 for 32GB tablet + full version of Office is at least comparable to a $499 for 16GB iPad with no productivity apps, I have lost all faith in humanity (and it's also probably a good reason why everyone is in debt, poor comprehension skills).

Yes, I'm smoking the joy of x86

For half a grand, I want x86 compatibility OR inking. I think that if you are willing to wait, Atom/Hondo/Trinity-based Win8 tablets will be available in that price range.

The WinRT version is an odd product. It clearly isn't aimed at businesses and professionals (it comes with the Home and Student version of Office), and yet is clearly a productivity-oriented product. Since home users really aren't using their tablets for productivity-related activities, that just leaves students. And the #1 feature for students would be Onenote + inking.

The lack of inking, low-res screen, and relatively outdated (especially by release date) SoC indicates to me they're going to be aggressive on price. Leaving out inking on the RT model is just as bad (imho) as Amazon.com leaving out HDMI output on the Fire. And I bet the reason behind both of those decisions is the same: Cutting costs so they can be super aggressive on price.

 

[Ultrabook]

Every time I see somebody come out with another tablet, I'm always thinking - it's the apps stupid! If Microsoft can't match the # and diversity of apps compared to the apple app store, kiss this goodbye. Microsoft should give majority of profits to app developers to incentivize them.

 

[finbarqs]

well Microsoft's gone done it... The infamous "Crash" during the keynote of the Surface reveal has gone viral. I read the CNET article and thought it to be correct: How could Microsoft think they are not all the other tablets (Blackberry and Palm) and release this tablet at such a high price?

Companies in this market need to know: nobody can de-throne apple now. They can charge the amount for the iPad because it is the iPad. Now Microsoft (being late to the game) wants a piece of it and tries to make things better... same with what Palm tried to do, and what Google tried to do, and Blackberry.

And what happened? Everybody had to drop their price to stay competitive. The vast majorities aren't computer geeks and rather use a large data-enabled iPod Touch than an super Android tablet or a blackberry.

So what makes Microsoft think they're different? Sure it can print natively, but people won't know that. People will still think it's an iPad competitor, when it's actually both a tabet and a laptop competitor.

But oh well... We'll see how Microsoft will play their cards.... So far, I think it's too little (still) too late... Plus the biggest negative: You get hit with a trojan on your tablet, or some malware variant..

 

[HeXen]

I'm sure there are many like me who probably have too much $$ invested into Apple's apps and books to ever really want to switch, just to end up doing the same damn things on it.
Then you have to wait for all your favorite apps to be available on it...assuming they all will.

I can certainly see why MS wants to do their own hardware, OEM's not only put their own bloated crap apps on their stuff causing consumers to blame MS for slowdowns, but they also make too much variety of hardware specs, some of which is really cheap and every stutter or crash causes more complaints directed at MS.

 

[tokie]

I don't understand people who talk about Office on tablets like it is a silver bullet.

Do you seriously think the millions of consumers purchasing tablets give two shits about Office? They have a work computer that needs Outlook and Excel, why would they need it at home?

If the Windows RT version of Surface is > $499, then it is dead on arrival. It doesn't matter that it is 32GB -- just look at the Xoom to see how that played out.

 

[HeXen]

I don't understand people who talk about Office on tablets like it is a silver bullet.

Do you seriously think the millions of consumers purchasing tablets give two shits about Office? They have a work computer that needs Outlook and Excel, why would they need it at home?

realistically?...in millions?... yes. :whiste:...yes i do.
i certainly don't care about office or any of the such, but millions do.

 

[BladeVenom]

well Microsoft's gone done it... The infamous "Crash" during the keynote of the Surface reveal has gone viral.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEJTRJY8KEQ At least he was ready for it with extra tablets on the table.

 

[dagamer34]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEJTRJY8KEQ At least he was ready for it with extra tablets on the table.

Demo fails happen all the time. You cannot control everything. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znxQOPFg2mo

 

[dagamer34]

Every time I see somebody come out with another tablet, I'm always thinking - it's the apps stupid! If Microsoft can't match the # and diversity of apps compared to the apple app store, kiss this goodbye. Microsoft should give majority of profits to app developers to incentivize them.

70% to developers until the make $25,000, then it kicks up to 80%. Incentive enough? It also encourages making fewer better apps than more crappier apps.

 

[SKORPI0]

If Microsoft really wants iOS and Android users to switch, the Surface and apps included should be like $499 for the 8 Pro, $399 for the RT. Look what happened to the HP TouchPad, firesale after only 2 months on the shelf. Very few people where willing to part with $600 for a tablet with using WebOS.

But with people already having spent $$ on apps/books/accessories on their iPad/Androids.. I don't see that happening very soon. People who don't yet own a tablet and those techgeeks who want the latest will surely be the early adaptors and perhaps the source of info for bugs they eventually will find.

 

[Deeko]

I don't understand people who talk about Office on tablets like it is a silver bullet.

Do you seriously think the millions of consumers purchasing tablets give two shits about Office? They have a work computer that needs Outlook and Excel, why would they need it at home?

If the Windows RT version of Surface is > $499, then it is dead on arrival. It doesn't matter that it is 32GB -- just look at the Xoom to see how that played out.

1) What about the millions of businesses that will be purchasing tablets?
2) What about the millions of college students that absolutely must have an office suite?

Silver bullet is a strong term, but its absolutely important.

 

[tokie]

1) What about the millions of businesses that will be purchasing tablets?
2) What about the millions of college students that absolutely must have an office suite?

Silver bullet is a strong term, but its absolutely important.

Millions of business will not be purchasing tablets anytime soon. It just doesn't make sense for the vast majority of office workers. Anyways, enterprise will take years to adopt things -- most companies are still making plans for how to move to Windows 7.

I don't understand the point about college students. All that most students would have to use is a word processing program -- just use Google Docs like many are now doing (institutions are often bundling Google Apps for Education).

The iPad proved people wrong when they thought that tablets had to be "productive". Even Apple doesn't think that -- see their focus on keeping OS X/iOS separate.

Tablets by their nature don't make sense as productive machines. How can you be productive on a 10" screen? Are you going to display what, 10 columns in Excel? One paragraph in Word? If Microsoft thinks Office is their gateway into tablet sales, then Ballmer is even stupider than I thought.