Used some Windows 8 Tablets at Staples last night

[finbarqs]

hulu within the browser is what I'm talking about. I don't wanna pay the 7.99/mo plus there are content on hulu that says "Web Only"... funny, I thought everything required the "web" But maybe they should put "browser only" instead...

 

[amdhunter]

Just came from the Microsoft Store in Times Square (yep, I was there at Midnight) and came back with two opinions.

1) The Surface hardware is REALLY nice in person - the tablet is really sensitive, tight and a pleasure to use. The screen looks absolutely amazing, despite the 1366x768 resolution. The keyboard was slightly annoying to use, but after about 2 minutes, I got the hang of it.

2) The tablet has absolutely no value in regards to apps. We sat there for about 20 minutes and were thoroughly done with the hardware - there was nothing else to do. We tried 1080P YouTube clips (choppy) but it handled 720P fine. Apps were allowed to be downloaded for free, and even then, there was nothing to really use.

Also, the staff in the Times Square store is absolutely god-awful. I have NEVER seen a bunch of people so mis-informed about the hardware they are selling, or the way computers work in general. For example, I downloaded an MKV file to see if it would play, and I was told ALL downloads are blocked unless it's Microsoft approved. The person had no idea between downloading files vs downloading apps. Needless to say, the MKV did not play; instead I was pointed to some app that can check filetypes or something. I honestly don't know what the app did.

Trying to explain to them that you'd rather an Intel Atom of Core-based laptop was also met with furious explanations about how tablet and phone apps are the future, and that their market was already a leader, with XBOX integration.

Ugh. I'll never consider an RT. Seriously, play with one for 20 minutes, and every impulse you had to buy it will disappear.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I looked around at retailer websites tonight and I assume these four tablets are the only ones that have launched so far (Microsoft Surface, Samsung Series 5 Slate, ASUS VivoTab RT, and Acer W700). I wrote down their specs and links so I can compare them easy and will include that below...

Only two Windows 8 tablets I saw so far, the Samsung Series 5 and the Acer W700. But the Acer has pretty nice specs (and a pretty high price), but no keyboard dock, what the heck Acer (not that I'd pay $800 for a tablet anyway).

Frys.com listed the Acer W510, which I think looks nice. But they have it listed as "backordered" and nobody else even lists it, so I didn't include it in my list, I figure that's coming later.

The Samsung Series 5 looks pretty nice. And Staples has it as low as $600 for the 64GB model.


Microsoft Surface (RT) $500 (+$100 to $130 keyboard)
Windows RT
10.6 1366x768
1.3GHz Tegra 3 T30
2GB RAM
USB 2.0, micro SD
720p front and rear cameras
1.5 pounds (680 grams)
http://surface.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/Content/pbpage.Surface

Samsung ATIV Smart PC (aka Series 5 Slate) XE500T1C 64GB $650 (+$100 to $130 keyboard)
Windows 8
11.6 inch 1366x768
1.5GHz Atom Z2760
2GB RAM
micro HDMI, USB 2.0, micro SD
2mp front camera
1.68 pounds
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-ATIV-S.../dp/B009LL9U50
http://www.staples.com/Samsung-Serie...product_990648
http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...E500T1C-A04US/

ASUS VivoTab RT TF600T 32GB $600 (+$170 keyboard)
Windows RT
10.1 inch 1280x800
1.3GHz Tegra 3 T30
2GB RAM
micro HDMI, micro SD
8mp/2mp cameras
1.1 pounds
http://www.amazon.com/VivoTab-RT-TF6.../dp/B009F1INL8
http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...blet-Computer/
http://www.staples.com/Asus-TF600T-B...duct-nr_990338

Acer W700 64GB $800 (no keyboard)
Windows 8
11.6 inch 1920x1080
1.8GHz Core i3-3217U
4GB RAM
micro HDMI, USB 3.0
5MP/720p cameras
2.1 pounds (950 grams)
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Iconia-W7.../dp/B009H1BHZ0

 

[dagamer34]

Just came from the Microsoft Store in Times Square (yep, I was there at Midnight) and came back with two opinions.

1) The Surface hardware is REALLY nice in person - the tablet is really sensitive, tight and a pleasure to use. The screen looks absolutely amazing, despite the 1366x768 resolution. The keyboard was slightly annoying to use, but after about 2 minutes, I got the hang of it.

2) The tablet has absolutely no value in regards to apps. We sat there for about 20 minutes and were thoroughly done with the hardware - there was nothing else to do. We tried 1080P YouTube clips (choppy) but it handled 720P fine. Apps were allowed to be downloaded for free, and even then, there was nothing to really use.

Also, the staff in the Times Square store is absolutely god-awful. I have NEVER seen a bunch of people so mis-informed about the hardware they are selling, or the way computers work in general. For example, I downloaded an MKV file to see if it would play, and I was told ALL downloads are blocked unless it's Microsoft approved. The person had no idea between downloading files vs downloading apps. Needless to say, the MKV did not play; instead I was pointed to some app that can check filetypes or something. I honestly don't know what the app did.

Trying to explain to them that you'd rather an Intel Atom of Core-based laptop was also met with furious explanations about how tablet and phone apps are the future, and that their market was already a leader, with XBOX integration.

Ugh. I'll never consider an RT. Seriously, play with one for 20 minutes, and every impulse you had to buy it will disappear.

I've stated this elsewhere on the forum, and Paul Thurrott has said so at the top of his lungs for months (but I didn't believe him), if you are an advanced user, RT is NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT for you. Get a Surface Pro when those are released in 3 months. That thing will be a powerhouse.

 

[Lonyo]

Surface Pro won't be any more of a powerhouse than any other Windows 8 tablet, it will just have a different finish.
The hardware is going to be pretty much the same as every other Core x86 tablet.

Personally I don't see the point in getting Surface Pro at all. Better to get a W700 or similar now, and then when Haswell arrives, get a real tablet that has actual power.

Surface Pro has zero value IMO, because while it might be well made, the internals will be no better than other products, and there will almost certainly be a premium, and the long term value prospect isn't even close to being present because of Haswell.

Unfortunately the UK seems to have been left out of having any Win 8 Pro products be available at launch, so I can't buy a W700 even though if one was available I'd be there in an instant (i5 3317u and 128GB SSD though).

 

[dagamer34]

hulu within the browser is what I'm talking about. I don't wanna pay the 7.99/mo plus there are content on hulu that says "Web Only"... funny, I thought everything required the "web" But maybe they should put "browser only" instead...

It works: Hulu.com on Surface RT

 

[dagamer34]

Surface Pro won't be any more of a powerhouse than any other Windows 8 tablet, it will just have a different finish.
The hardware is going to be pretty much the same as every other Core x86 tablet.

Personally I don't see the point in getting Surface Pro at all. Better to get a W700 or similar now, and then when Haswell arrives, get a real tablet that has actual power.

Surface Pro has zero value IMO, because while it might be well made, the internals will be no better than other products, and there will almost certainly be a premium, and the long term value prospect isn't even close to being present because of Haswell.

Unfortunately the UK seems to have been left out of having any Win 8 Pro products be available at launch, so I can't buy a W700 even though if one was available I'd be there in an instant (i5 3317u and 128GB SSD though).

I wasn't expecting greater raw performance, but more "performance per pound" since it only weighs 2 lbs with the Touch Cover allowing for full utility of the device. No one wants to carry around a 3lb ultrabook with them everywhere they go, as they are too wide and thick.

 

[finbarqs]

active pen also is very important to me. Since I do photography, photo editing with the pen is pretty much what I'm gunning for... + Microsoft externals... I just hope it'll have a decent battery life..