Steve Ballmer makes the case for the Surface: it's reimagination of computing, not a "compromise"

6. neutralguy (Posts: 1152; Member since: 30 Apr 2012)

agree +1

true, ipad started the market for everyone, but the functionality doesn't satisfy the price. It's for entertainment.

Unlike surface, you'll need another device to do office stuffs with iPad, that's the main advantage.

9. darthinvader (Posts: 63; Member since: 18 Sep 2012)

Yup, Surface bashers haven't really realized its potential compared to iPad.

Surface = Productive
iPad = Just for Fun..

18. JeffdaBeat (unregistered)

I don't think that's the case at all and I'll explain why.

One thing I've noticed about consumers in my half decade of working retail (Sprint, AT&T, and even Apple) is that unless they are at work, they use their electronics for very basic tasks. Most often it's to check email, read the news, go to Facebook (literally), and buy a few apps. That's it. This goes for both iOS (iPhone and iPad) as well as Android. We tend to think that since we are nerds, everyone shares our love affair for electronics when in reality, the average consumer spends so much time on a computer at work that they'd rather not continue it at home. I think this is why Tablets, despite being ridiculously overpriced, have done so well in the market. People can do the few tasks they love to do without being at a computer or dealing with the complication of a computer. And one could argue that they've been limited by exactly what a tablet can do, but I'd counter that UltraBooks aren't exactly flying off the shelves despite being a full fledged computer and ridiculously small and portable.

Now, I think Microsoft has the right idea. Make the computer OS and tablet OS one in the same. Make working on a computer and working on a tablet seamless. It's something that both Apple and Google have been working towards for the past few years. Still, the question is where will we fall on that? Will people want their computer in a tablet? Will they even need their computer in a tablet? Or will people reject it as "too much work" and want something more simple?

Even before I was an iSheep, I saw that while nerds sought out the next big thing, your average consumer when presented with the next big thing would almost always revert to something simple. I think that trend will continue going forward. If Microsoft over complicates the Surface OS, people will reject it and go to what they know they can understand (iOS and Android). But who knows? Apple made a software far different that what was out there before and it paid off. Google made an OS that was versatile and let users basically pick how advanced they wanted to go and how much they wanted to invest in it, and it paid off.

I've got my money on Apple and Google continuing forward...but we shall see...

22. ZEUS.the.thunder.god (unregistered)

well said bro. +1. But I think MS is goin in the right direction with surface/wp8. People will love it as its not a Laptop. Despite being capable of doing all the Laptop/PC stuff, its still a tablet. It can do all the things an Android or ipad can do and it can do more which is not possible with any other tablet. Though I am an Android/Google fan but I love the whole concept MS is pushing with surface. Its one step closer towards post PC era. But thats just my opinion.

15. TheLibertine (Posts: 484; Member since: 15 Jan 2012)

In any case, this childish flame between Ballmer and Schiller/Cook is pointless. Apple claims its products to be the best ones in the world and trolls Android tablets on its keynotes; so does Microsoft. And still, both of them (Surface RT and iPad) are much less than perfect and free of compromises. Compete with products; not with useless marketing blahblah.

19. Kronic (banned) (Posts: 321; Member since: 11 Sep 2012)

How many apps do you have on windows store a 1000? And with iWork apps on an ipad you can do work and play. I have been an ipad user since 2010 and I have owned all three iPads (will be buying the 4th gen in December) I download movies, I play games with rich graphic detail, I make ppts, word files and excel sheets on my ipad and recently with the ipad 3 I can also take good pictures. It's all a myth made up my people who don't own iPads. An iPad is very functional.

24. -box- (Posts: 3991; Member since: 04 Jan 2012)

...why would you buy the gen4 if you already own a gen3? Wait until the gen5; there is little different between 3 and 4

27. Kronic (banned) (Posts: 321; Member since: 11 Sep 2012)

I am really used to the ipad and I want the gen 4 because iPod the A6X which as a freakishly powerful gpu and possibly an over clocked A6 CPU which will be amazingly fast.

21. asulect (Posts: 131; Member since: 27 Aug 2012)

People seem to forget about "Blackberry Playbook". That's specifically built for work and play. Well, looks at what's happening to it now...forgotten.

23. rnk.khch (Posts: 86; Member since: 30 Jan 2012)

That's totally right. cook's words were just a marketing strategy and came from a body opening not meant for words.

10. darthinvader (Posts: 63; Member since: 18 Sep 2012)

U mad bro? :D

14. chaoticrazor (Posts: 2347; Member since: 28 Aug 2012)

Haha noo not funny your jokes are stale and immature

You can't comment on ugly hiding behind your profile not showing yourself. Main point is this ain't a site to comment on looks so unless you got a relevant comment just don't....an the ugly tiles line is old and based on your fanboyism.

Don't like windows don't look simple

16. TheLibertine (Posts: 484; Member since: 15 Jan 2012)

What's even your point? Ballmer is hot.

5. PAPINYC (banned) (Posts: 2315; Member since: 30 Jul 2011)

fÜgliness aside, does anyone know if either of the tablet iterations support Windows 8 Pro and full desktop program installations or are both Windows Mobile 8 only relegated to the Microsoft Store??

7. neutralguy (Posts: 1152; Member since: 30 Apr 2012)

there's a surface that's intended to be a tablet alone(RT) and there's for a tablet+PC(pro). And compared to other devices that could have similar specifications, i would rather go with surface pro.

12. PAPINYC (banned) (Posts: 2315; Member since: 30 Jul 2011)

Thanks, I'll look at that; it would be great if you could have a "Full PC" in tablet form factor and a tablet that is a "Full PC"!

;-)

25. -box- (Posts: 3991; Member since: 04 Jan 2012)

Pro is the full computer OS, and you can have an optical drive to read your old program CDs (or floppies, etc) if you want, or for some games you can download them after putting in your product key, no external media required.

Go to Microsoft's website and run the Windows 8 Upgrade Advisor (I think it's called), it'll tell you what'll convert.

26. -box- (Posts: 3991; Member since: 04 Jan 2012)

It's the leader of the new class, yes, but it's not the only one. There are lots of excellent products coming (some already out!) from Microsoft's hardware partners that will rival the Surface, and offer noticeable differences, be it screen size, form factor, portability, etc.