[Some Random Bloke]

MS launched it's new tablet today - here. It looks quite good, although the preview was evidently pretty limited. They say it will be priced in line with the competition, so we'll see. Personally, I think they'll do well out of it if they don't mess Win8 up. What do you think?

[Ken Gracey]

I thought it was a new iPad, with one of those cases with the keyboard in it.

[arcanedevice]

Looks kinda cool, but not sure how it will fare when others with more experience and established products will also be running Win8.

[Some Random Bloke]

Thinking more - we don't know cost, battery life, and Windows RT is unknown, especially the quantity of apps. I'm hearing mixed reports about Win 8 also, mainly that it tries to be all things to all people rather than focusing on being a tablet OS. Not saying it couldn't be successful, but we just don't know. I really can't believe MS are releasing 2 incompatible versions of their OS (with basically the same name) - that's going to hurt them.

[BrianB]

I dont know what it is, but the minute I hear the name Microsoft I just cringe.

Even if they come up with something innovative I just can't get over their past image, which to me is crappy software and just dull and boring products.

At least they are giving it a go and I guess they have cracked the gaming market with the XBox, but I still just don't find them all that exciting.

[Tom]

I'm similar, but I want them to push Apple to even better innovation. I hope their product is compelling.

[Islandhead]

Great sentiments Tom, competition can only be a good thing for us, the consumers

They haven't given us much to go on so I'll reserve judgment but it did make me smile in the video of the demo where it froze and they had to get another tablet

[BrianB]

Very true Tom. Let's hope that's the case.

Just looking at their tablet takes me back to the 80s. The design is just sooo Microsoft.

Let's hope Apples next iPad is revolutionary once again.

[Islandhead]

BrianB, on 22 June 2012 - 10:14 AM, said:

Just looking at their tablet takes me back to the 80s.

Blimey, I must have missed the 80's you remember Brian, we didn't have sleek Tablets with shiny screens and powerful processors when I was a boy in the 80's

[Some Random Bloke]

I think he meant the 1280's BC. Stone tablets?

OK, long day in the sun and I'm tired

[BrianB]

Ha ha... Ok... 90s then.

[BrianB]

Well I decided to watch the Surface keynote yesterday and I take back what I said in an earlier post.

For once I think Microsoft are actually innovating and I think their tablets could potentially take over Apples lead in the corporate space. Seeing as though the majority of companies use windows this tablet would complement it nicely.

I like how they have integrated a keyboard into the cover... Very clever. That's innovative.

Also even though Steve Jobs said a tablet shouldnt have a stylus, I think he's wrong. People want to be able to write on a tablet surface and unfortunately using an iPad you are stuck with chunky crayon styluses which are pathetic. Except if you get the Adonit brand which is quite unique.

Some people are inventing Styluses that are more like using a real pen, but you need an receiver to plug into the dock connector for it to work.

The Surface tablet has the ability to use its own stylus that is like using a real pen with no receiver. Now that's going to be a hit for business people and students.

I also thinks its clever how they have created a tablet that works exactly like a PC running an Ivy Bridge processor.

I'm now wondering what Apple will bring to the table next year to compete. It has to be something mind blowing.

I think Microsoft have for once have started innovating which is very interesting.

Heres hoping Apple crushes them with the iPad 4 !

Android tablets are definitely out in the cold now and will never make a dent in the corporate world.

[Islandhead]

Great post Brian. As I said before this can only be a good thing for us, the consumer. If the Surface is any good, and at this stage that's still an 'if', then Apple will have to raise their game to stay ahead. Win win for us

[Ken Gracey]

Wow Brian's 80s sound like my 60s .. Man... But hey if you remember the 60s you weren't really there

[JamieD]

I remember to 70's but not the 60's, hardly surprising though as I only spent 5 months in the 60's.

[Some Random Bloke]

Brian - I think the pro will do well in the corporate space, but too expensive for consumers. A tougher sell for the RT because it's not compatible with Windows software. In fact, where Apple has two platforms (iOS and OS X) MS has 3! WinPhone, Windows RT and Windows PC. Confused? Of course, this is MS.

So the Pro is unique but expensive, the RT is a direct competitor to the iPad which has all the momentum in the consumer space, and won't run either WinPhone or Windows PC software.

In other words, MS is already shooting themselves in the foot with what could be a great product line. When will they learn?

[BrianB]

Alex, you always make sense. Let's hope MS fails then...

[Ken Gracey]

I know this is slightly off track, but I see windows 8 won't run on the current Nokia windows phone ? So if this is how Microsoft treat there customers, why would you buy any hardware off them ?

[Some Random Bloke]

Ken Gracey, on 23 June 2012 - 03:22 PM, said:

I know this is slightly off track, but I see windows 8 won't run on the current Nokia windows phone ? So if this is how Microsoft treat there customers, why would you buy any hardware off them ?

I believe it has a lot of hardware dependent new features. Interesting though, Apple would just switch them off! (Or hobble them as an incentive to upgrade). Kind of ironic!

[Ken Gracey]

Correct, I have never seen apple cut a piece of hardware loose, or make it next to useless after only 12 months.