8 ms·

Surface Pricing Announced - $499 USD

87 points by codelion 14y ago

dpcan 14y ago
Does anyone know if this can be used for development and graphics editing? Or if it will run Windows Desktop apps? I could almost see something like this replacing my everyday work computer.
- amaks 14y ago
  It runs Windows RT, meaning that existing Windows apps won't run on it. You'll need to buy Metro apps from Windows app store, which are not plenty these days. Bottom line: no editing, no programming tools and only preview of Microsoft Office at this time.
- WrkInProgress 14y ago
  It will not run Windows Desktop Apps. What you are looking for is Surface Pro which will be available in a few months. Or you could buy any one of the Windows 8 (not Windows RT) convertible tablets/hybrids that will be available from the likes of Lenovo, HP, Acer, Asus, Samsung, etc after Windows 8 launches.
- Timmy_C 14y ago
  The Windows RT version of the Surface is a consumption device. I feel like the primary use cases are reading, movies, web, e-mail and so on. You'll have to wait for the x86 version of the Surface if you're looking to do graphics editing.
alyx 14y ago
More competition to Apple/Android is good for us. I'm surprised such a techy crowd isn't jumping on the opportunity to try out new tech. I just pre-ordered mine and I'm stoked!
- andere 14y ago
  I for one really like the idea in terms of hardware, but my bad experiences with the RC of Windows 8 convinced me to not bother.
  - amaks 14y ago
    Same here. Besides, people are buying not tablets, they are buying ecosystems. Apple has the great one. Same with Amazon. Same with Google. What mobile ecosystem does Microsoft have? Very limited at this point. And virtually no apps for Windows RT.
    - canistr 14y ago
      I disagree. Browser, Office, and a keyboard make a pretty compelling argument for lots of people. All they really need is a Facebook app (which is integrated into the People Hub) and it's what most people will really want. Then they also have Messages (doesn't include GTalk, but different people use different things. A lot of the world prefers MSN Messenger over AIM for instance. And many people use FB Chat and Skype. It's not excusing MS for not having GTalk, but it does cover lots of use-cases and peole)
- vtbose 14y ago
  It is not clear how the display quality is going to compare with IPad 3. I'm hoping to preview one (at a MS store maybe?) before deciding.
d0m 14y ago
Who want this? http://www.microsoft.com/global/en-us/news/publishingimages/ImageGallery/Images/Products/Surface/Surface-Magenta-Cover2_Page.jpg http://www.microsoft.com/global/en-us/news/publishingimages/...
- Timmy_C 14y ago
  I think you'd be surprised at how a color that is SO DIFFERENT could make the device seem unique and individual. Everyone has either a black or a brushed metal laptop. Something this bright could sell well because of its novelty. There was a lot of buzz around the cyan version of the new Nokia Windows Phone 8.
  - d0m 14y ago
    This seems like a quick hack version where a variable has been changed to pink.. My problem with this is not the pink by itself but mostly how it doesn't fit with the other elements. Try changing the background of HN to pink to have an idea of what I mean. The Nokia cyan is different as it still fit with the overall design.
- 27182818284 14y ago
  You haven't been on a college campus recently, have you? Most laptops have some sort of after-market coloring, stickers, or case. Not just PCs, I mean most as in MacBooks too.
mandeepj 14y ago
Pro version have USB 3 and mini display port. It is a nice combo of mobility and ease like iPad + power like a laptop. It is a full blown mobile machine. Ipad, android are just content consuming devices. You can't do much on them besides just absorbing content. I am glad MS understood the missing features from ipad and came with this beautiful product.
- guywithabike 14y ago
  > You can't do much on them besides just absorbing content… … and writing, drawing, painting, designing, composing and playing music, editing spreadsheets and databases, building presentations, taking photos, editing photos, emailing, chatting, editing movies, and so on. Yep. Only for watching YouTube. You bet.
davidacoder 14y ago
No 3G at all? Zune all over again.
- ShabbyDoo 14y ago
  I don't mind this so much presuming it can do Bluetooth tethering with my phone [vs WiFi due to power usage issues]. If I'm the device's user, I'll likely have my phone with me, so having a redundant radio in the device doesn't add value. And, if I let someone else use the device while I'm not around, the likelihood is that there will be an available WiFi source. I'd like it-just-works connectivity between my phone and any other devices I carry with me. Right now, I have to hit a couple buttons on both devices -- a pain for short-term usage scenarios.
  - davidacoder 14y ago
    I can get tethering to work, my mom: never. My parents both got iPads and a device that isn't just online all the time could never ever work for them. iPad really set the bar on that one.
    - ShabbyDoo 14y ago
      Yeah. Tethering still is too mysterious. If it's not working, which device is at fault? For awhile (pre-ICS), my Droid RAZR had a bug where it required a reboot before the hotspot would work. Of course, it failed silently and claimed to be making itself available!
  - lukeschlather 14y ago
    The thing about it-just-works connectivity is that it will generally halve battery life on a smartphone. You basically have to keep the radios constantly on and scanning for known connections.
    - ShabbyDoo 14y ago
      I know little about Bluetooth 4 except that it's supposed to be low power. Could it be used to "scan" for interested/allowed devices and then "step-up" to a higher power, higher bandwidth connection?
nirvana 14y ago
I applaud Microsoft for doing something new-- the new windows UI is very original. Further, they have managed to meet Apple in terms of pricing for a comparable iPad, something others have struggled with. But the big take-away innovation here, and the center of their marketing campaign, is that it has a keyboard cover. This seems to be about 5 years out of sync. 5 years ago, everyone expected the iPhone to fail because it didn't have a physical keyboard like the blackberry. But after I got my first iPad, the original, I found that I could type at nearly the same speed (possibly faster due to autocorrect) on its on screen keyboard as I can at a regular keyboard... my finger just go to the place the key is, and while feeling a physical key would be nice, the end result on the iPad was about the same speed. I think this will sell well into markets that are heavily invested in microsoft infrastructure... but I don't see how it is going to take marketshare from the iPad. ---- Edit to clarify, since several have responded on this point: I'm not saying that keyboards have no use. I recognize that many people buy an extra keyboard for their iPad, and prefer that for significant typing. The point I'm making is what is the differentiating feature here? The UI is different, true, but then its the keyboard. There are two keyboard covers- one is flat, with no keys which I suspect would be much like typing on the iPAd screen (though of course, not actually on the screen... so a little different) and the other has keys, so similar to buying an external keyboard for the iPAd, only it is slightly more integrated. Is that really compelling? Compared to buying a wireless keyboard for the iPad, the price is about the same (or cheaper for the iPad).... and the advantage of the Surface is that the keyboard connects to the tablet with magnets? I just don't see that as being significant enough to really take significant share away from Apple. That's all I was saying.
- engtech 14y ago
  The ipad software keyboard is hard to use for any length of time because you have to switch between several virtual layouts to hit every key. It slows you down if you're writing code instead of English words. Having punctuation characters hidden away probably reduces the overall complexity of people's passwords as well. I strongly suspect that people switch to alphanumeric-only passwords for anything they would enter into an ipad/iphone keyboard.
  - 14y ago
pixie_ 14y ago
There are going to be x86 Windows 8 tablets coming out that run all your windows programs ever. A lot of people are going to be pissed and confused about 2 different versions of windows with entirely different sets of compatibility. Also x86 tables will probably cheaper, just like netbooks, just to pour some salt in your wounds you got buying an expensive device that runs no programs.
- glhaynes 14y ago
  I don't think anybody's expecting x86 tablets to be cheaper than Surface. But I agree that the situation has potential for lots of customer confusion.
- beagle3 14y ago
  If they're going to be cheaper, they are also going to be ridiculously slow compared to the iPad (and possibly the ARM Win8), or they are going to have ridiculously short battery life, or they are going to be subsidized by Microsoft (or all of the above ....) Have you seen a netbook that can deliver 9 hours of real usage on Windows _and_ run at a reasonable speed (for $500, or even more)? I haven't. And the laptops that can are larger and much more expensive.
  - madoublet 14y ago
    From what I have seen both the x86 and ARM perform on par with the iPad and have 9+ hours of battery life. I think you are just making stuff up now.
    - beagle3 14y ago
      I am making it up that I couldn't find a notebook with ipad comparable snappy response times and ipad comparable battery time? I'm not saying I'm all-knowing and that I survey every single piece of hardware that ever goes on sale everywhere, but I did spend considerable time looking for a Windows one (I needed it for a product I'm selling, and ended up with a $2200 HP notebook instead! and it has less than 6 hours of useful battery life!), and came up empty. If you know of such a notebook, please let me know. As they say, put up or shut up.
weiran 14y ago
Any idea of international pricing?
- ffffruit 14y ago
  499USD will most probably translate into 499GBP unfortunately
- bskap 14y ago
  399 pounds in Britain, 479 Euros in Germany and 489 in France.
tomrod 14y ago
I see that price point as being too high. I think 399 USD would be right in that sweet spot (especially considering this will be considered a poor Ipad substitute in the beginning).
- freehunter 14y ago
  What people in this thread are missing is that Microsoft isn't trying to capture the entire WinRT market with this device, they're not trying to outsell their partners, they're trying to set a benchmark. Something for their partners to compete against, and for those partners to compete against it (and the iPad) successfully. The point of Surface is to keep Asus, HP, Samsung, etc from making a not-quite-iPad for $700 and blogs mocking the demise of the platform. Basically, if WinRT partners cannot outsell the Surface, they don't deserve to be selling Windows tablets. That is what Microsoft is implying with this release. Making it impossible to compete against would actively destroy that effort.
  - tomrod 14y ago
    No, I fully understand the claim that Microsoft has designed this and set the price point to encourage an ecosystem to stay afloat. Yet, Microsoft has done fine in a number of hardware spheres without serious competition (e.g. XBox--1, maybe 1.5 competitors between Sony and Nintendo). I remain skeptical that the better good is the underlying motivation.
csmeder 14y ago
What is the resolution?
- gilrain 14y ago
  From AnandTech (http://www.anandtech.com/show/6377/inside-microsofts-surface-rt-tablet http://www.anandtech.com/show/6377/inside-microsofts-surface...): 1366x768.
- Timmy_C 14y ago
  I haven't been able to find any credible information about resolutions but the rumors seem to point toward less than retina. But the flip side of that is most of the Windows 8 interface is rectangles with large type. You don't need very high resolution devices to make that style of interface look crisp and sharp.
jtoeman 14y ago
I think this is the nail on the already-likely-dead coffin of MS Surface. What's the market they are going after??? "tablet market"? nope - already dominated by iPad "enterprise"? nope - 1) not a market, 2) already dominated by iPad "budget"? nope - priced on par with iPad seriously, how are they going to push this thing? they don't have a channel like Apple nor Amazon, so they need to rely on all their other paths. they should've called this "XPad", made it a mobile Xbox, and sold through that channel - just like they did with Kinect. fail fail fail.
- shanelja 14y ago
  Personally, I'm going to be buying one of these tablets, they look pretty powerful and cool, plus I prefer Microsoft offerings over Apple. They don't need to own a particular market, sure it helps, but personally, I couldn't care less how much it costs or how powerful it is, I would buy one of these just so I didn't have to buy an iPad. So to be honest, I think at least one market which this tablet will dominate is the "fuck you Apple" market.
  - r00fus 14y ago
    > So to be honest, I think at least one market which this tablet will dominate is the "fuck you Apple" market. Sorry, this is already a crowded market - Android rules here, whether it's Google or Amazon shipping the product. Why would I buy this when I can get a Kindle Fire 4G with $50/yr mobile data? Why would I pay $300 more than a Nexus7? Microsoft has lost the forest for the trees - so bound up in hating and trying to produce an "iPad Killer" that they don't realize the competition is way ahead of them.
- cryptoz 14y ago
  > they should've called this "XPad" Can't. Apple owns all Pads. http://www.tuaw.com/2010/04/13/steve-jobs-apple-owns-pad-trademark/ http://www.tuaw.com/2010/04/13/steve-jobs-apple-owns-pad-tra...
  - engtech 14y ago
    Microsoft could buy Always and re-purpose the Maxi-pad brand.
dewarrn1 14y ago
The "Touch Cover", which I'm assuming is the bit with the keyboard, will run you an extra $100-120. Given the attention to the Touch Cover in the promotional material MS has distributed, I'm surprised that it's even optional.
- deleted 14y ago
  [deleted]
HyprMusic 14y ago
So will this be able to run standard Window's programs or just tablet versions of software? If it could run Windows applications then this could be a great alternative to ultrabooks, with the added perk of the flexibility of a tablet.
- RobAtticus 14y ago
  The Surface is running Windows RT, so the tablet versions of software. The Surface Pro (which doesn't have pricing info yet) will be x86 and therefore run standard Windows programs.
readme 14y ago
Won't compete with iPad on quality. Won't compete with Android on price. Why should anyone buy this?
- JimmaDaRustla 14y ago
  Defend your first argument.
  - tomrod 14y ago
    I reckon he'd make a history based approach. Never seen a Gateway circa 2000 run Mac software. But eh, I'm not him, no so idea to be honest.
- turtlebits 14y ago
  Because it has a tablet form factor and UI but can also run desktop apps?
  - baddox 14y ago
    That's not true of the RT version. It's an ARM tablet.
- lotso 14y ago
  This article from The Verge does a good job explaining how much of the focus of the Surface was making sure it had quality hardware. I don't think you can say it won't compete with the iPad on quality, until you use it. "Everything is perfected and tested in Redmond using in-house machines, many of which were invented so they could invent the Surface, and later-stage models are sent to China for more massive production. The company uses the exact same 3D and laser printers as its factories in China, so its designs are certain to be translated perfectly into mass production — though even that didn't satisfy the design team, which has made as many as ten trips to China this year alone." "The hinge on the Surface's built-in kickstand may have been the device's most discussed feature during our tour in Redmond. Microsoft has obsessed over how the kickstand works, how it looks, even how it sounds..." "At 3mm thick, it's almost hard to believe there's room to fit a working keyboard inside the cover — Panay liked to talk about how the team's goal was for the Touch Cover to be 4.2mm thick, and they did even better." "At one point we stood in a testing room, where five different Touch Covers were having their hinges tested by a machine that twisted back and forth every second or so. As the Covers furled and unfurled, we watched a 36-inch drop test, the Surface crashing onto its right side. No one flinched as the Surface fell, and Panay even said he's more worried about denting the wood floor than the Surface (we'll test that one for ourselves). While our backs were turned looking at the next test, Sinofsky grabbed a Surface that had four green wheels attached to the bottom, and hopped on board. He's apparently quite the skateboarder." "The first screen size Microsoft seriously considered was 10.1 inches, the de facto standard for tablets today. But 10.1 inches didn't work well for multitasking, and it wasn't wide enough for a full-sized keyboard. So the company tried 11.1 inches — typing was great, as was multitasking, but Panay said "it really missed on the tablet experience." So Microsoft split the difference, and found 10.6 inches was the right size. The 10.6-inch Surface is comfortable to hold, Panay said, and "when you set your hands down in typing position, you can have a great experience."" http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/16/3511002/microsoft-surface-inside-look-history http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/16/3511002/microsoft-surface...
kaolinite 14y ago
If it was a little less, I'd probably buy this. I'm a huge fan of Windows 8 (don't get me wrong: it's going to be horrendous for regular users, but as a techie, I think it's a really nice UI). $500 though is just too much for something that is so easily dismissed. I'd pay that much for an iPad or a Macbook because I know they will be well built and work well. Surface has to prove itself to me and as of yet, it hasn't shown me why I should spend that much on it.
ortusdux 14y ago
It appears they are using Vapor deposition of Magnesium to make the body. I hope it is just a texture on the outside. If anything could escalate the problem of a combusting battery, it would be a metal that ignites at 480°C and burns at up to 3000°C. Edit: this reminds me of the NeXTCube. http://simson.net/hacks/cubefire.html http://simson.net/hacks/cubefire.html
maxpert 14y ago
Battery: iPad 42.5-watt-hour clearly mentioning browsing time (its called confidence on your quality) Surface RT 31.5-watt-hour Pro 42-watt-hour WiFi+Cellular: iPad Yep Surface WiFi only Weight: iPad 1.44lbs to 1.46lbs Surface RT 1.5lbs and Pro 2.0lbs Applications: iPad Rock solid platform unified Surface Choose between RT and Pro messed up ARM and x86 For me I think Microsoft has done same mistake again, introduce "complexity" and if you look closely they are actually selling you a "not a gorgeous quality stuff" for same price as iPad. I don't see Microsoft dominating the market! Just getting a market douche on stage that makes you hear sound of click with no quality in product pisses me off!
- maxpert 14y ago
  Not to mention they are trying to sit between netbooks, laptops and tablets and they ship a USB 2.0 in 2012! DUH Microsoft!
canistr 14y ago
Should mention in your title that it's $499 for the USD model. $499 doesn't really tell much about it and making comparisons to iPads are difficult given the lowest iPad is $499 for 16 GB. It should also be noted that Office is coming pre-installed. Which is awesome given the pricing.
klbarry 14y ago
As an analyst, I the killer app for this is Microsoft Excel, which you really need a keyboard for.
AndresOspina 14y ago
Surface I thought was going to be a bit cheaper, but I think Microsoft occasionally makes good software.
davidacoder 14y ago
Also, doesn't have a GPS, so only WiFi location services...

87 points by codelion 14y ago

dpcan 14y ago

Does anyone know if this can be used for development and graphics editing? Or if it will run Windows Desktop apps? I could almost see something like this replacing my everyday work computer.

amaks 14y ago
It runs Windows RT, meaning that existing Windows apps won't run on it. You'll need to buy Metro apps from Windows app store, which are not plenty these days. Bottom line: no editing, no programming tools and only preview of Microsoft Office at this time.
WrkInProgress 14y ago
It will not run Windows Desktop Apps. What you are looking for is Surface Pro which will be available in a few months. Or you could buy any one of the Windows 8 (not Windows RT) convertible tablets/hybrids that will be available from the likes of Lenovo, HP, Acer, Asus, Samsung, etc after Windows 8 launches.
Timmy_C 14y ago
The Windows RT version of the Surface is a consumption device. I feel like the primary use cases are reading, movies, web, e-mail and so on. You'll have to wait for the x86 version of the Surface if you're looking to do graphics editing.

alyx 14y ago

More competition to Apple/Android is good for us. I'm surprised such a techy crowd isn't jumping on the opportunity to try out new tech. I just pre-ordered mine and I'm stoked!

andere 14y ago
I for one really like the idea in terms of hardware, but my bad experiences with the RC of Windows 8 convinced me to not bother.
- amaks 14y ago
  Same here. Besides, people are buying not tablets, they are buying ecosystems. Apple has the great one. Same with Amazon. Same with Google. What mobile ecosystem does Microsoft have? Very limited at this point. And virtually no apps for Windows RT.
  - canistr 14y ago
    I disagree. Browser, Office, and a keyboard make a pretty compelling argument for lots of people. All they really need is a Facebook app (which is integrated into the People Hub) and it's what most people will really want. Then they also have Messages (doesn't include GTalk, but different people use different things. A lot of the world prefers MSN Messenger over AIM for instance. And many people use FB Chat and Skype. It's not excusing MS for not having GTalk, but it does cover lots of use-cases and peole)
vtbose 14y ago
It is not clear how the display quality is going to compare with IPad 3. I'm hoping to preview one (at a MS store maybe?) before deciding.

d0m 14y ago

Who want this? http://www.microsoft.com/global/en-us/news/publishingimages/ImageGallery/Images/Products/Surface/Surface-Magenta-Cover2_Page.jpg http://www.microsoft.com/global/en-us/news/publishingimages/...

Timmy_C 14y ago
I think you'd be surprised at how a color that is SO DIFFERENT could make the device seem unique and individual. Everyone has either a black or a brushed metal laptop. Something this bright could sell well because of its novelty. There was a lot of buzz around the cyan version of the new Nokia Windows Phone 8.
- d0m 14y ago
  This seems like a quick hack version where a variable has been changed to pink.. My problem with this is not the pink by itself but mostly how it doesn't fit with the other elements. Try changing the background of HN to pink to have an idea of what I mean. The Nokia cyan is different as it still fit with the overall design.
27182818284 14y ago
You haven't been on a college campus recently, have you? Most laptops have some sort of after-market coloring, stickers, or case. Not just PCs, I mean most as in MacBooks too.

mandeepj 14y ago

Pro version have USB 3 and mini display port. It is a nice combo of mobility and ease like iPad + power like a laptop. It is a full blown mobile machine. Ipad, android are just content consuming devices. You can't do much on them besides just absorbing content. I am glad MS understood the missing features from ipad and came with this beautiful product.

guywithabike 14y ago
> You can't do much on them besides just absorbing content… … and writing, drawing, painting, designing, composing and playing music, editing spreadsheets and databases, building presentations, taking photos, editing photos, emailing, chatting, editing movies, and so on. Yep. Only for watching YouTube. You bet.

davidacoder 14y ago

No 3G at all? Zune all over again.

ShabbyDoo 14y ago
I don't mind this so much presuming it can do Bluetooth tethering with my phone [vs WiFi due to power usage issues]. If I'm the device's user, I'll likely have my phone with me, so having a redundant radio in the device doesn't add value. And, if I let someone else use the device while I'm not around, the likelihood is that there will be an available WiFi source. I'd like it-just-works connectivity between my phone and any other devices I carry with me. Right now, I have to hit a couple buttons on both devices -- a pain for short-term usage scenarios.
- davidacoder 14y ago
  I can get tethering to work, my mom: never. My parents both got iPads and a device that isn't just online all the time could never ever work for them. iPad really set the bar on that one.
  - ShabbyDoo 14y ago
    Yeah. Tethering still is too mysterious. If it's not working, which device is at fault? For awhile (pre-ICS), my Droid RAZR had a bug where it required a reboot before the hotspot would work. Of course, it failed silently and claimed to be making itself available!
- lukeschlather 14y ago
  The thing about it-just-works connectivity is that it will generally halve battery life on a smartphone. You basically have to keep the radios constantly on and scanning for known connections.
  - ShabbyDoo 14y ago
    I know little about Bluetooth 4 except that it's supposed to be low power. Could it be used to "scan" for interested/allowed devices and then "step-up" to a higher power, higher bandwidth connection?

nirvana 14y ago

I applaud Microsoft for doing something new-- the new windows UI is very original. Further, they have managed to meet Apple in terms of pricing for a comparable iPad, something others have struggled with. But the big take-away innovation here, and the center of their marketing campaign, is that it has a keyboard cover. This seems to be about 5 years out of sync. 5 years ago, everyone expected the iPhone to fail because it didn't have a physical keyboard like the blackberry. But after I got my first iPad, the original, I found that I could type at nearly the same speed (possibly faster due to autocorrect) on its on screen keyboard as I can at a regular keyboard... my finger just go to the place the key is, and while feeling a physical key would be nice, the end result on the iPad was about the same speed. I think this will sell well into markets that are heavily invested in microsoft infrastructure... but I don't see how it is going to take marketshare from the iPad. ---- Edit to clarify, since several have responded on this point: I'm not saying that keyboards have no use. I recognize that many people buy an extra keyboard for their iPad, and prefer that for significant typing. The point I'm making is what is the differentiating feature here? The UI is different, true, but then its the keyboard. There are two keyboard covers- one is flat, with no keys which I suspect would be much like typing on the iPAd screen (though of course, not actually on the screen... so a little different) and the other has keys, so similar to buying an external keyboard for the iPAd, only it is slightly more integrated. Is that really compelling? Compared to buying a wireless keyboard for the iPad, the price is about the same (or cheaper for the iPad).... and the advantage of the Surface is that the keyboard connects to the tablet with magnets? I just don't see that as being significant enough to really take significant share away from Apple. That's all I was saying.

engtech 14y ago
The ipad software keyboard is hard to use for any length of time because you have to switch between several virtual layouts to hit every key. It slows you down if you're writing code instead of English words. Having punctuation characters hidden away probably reduces the overall complexity of people's passwords as well. I strongly suspect that people switch to alphanumeric-only passwords for anything they would enter into an ipad/iphone keyboard.
- 14y ago

pixie_ 14y ago

There are going to be x86 Windows 8 tablets coming out that run all your windows programs ever. A lot of people are going to be pissed and confused about 2 different versions of windows with entirely different sets of compatibility. Also x86 tables will probably cheaper, just like netbooks, just to pour some salt in your wounds you got buying an expensive device that runs no programs.

glhaynes 14y ago
I don't think anybody's expecting x86 tablets to be cheaper than Surface. But I agree that the situation has potential for lots of customer confusion.
beagle3 14y ago
If they're going to be cheaper, they are also going to be ridiculously slow compared to the iPad (and possibly the ARM Win8), or they are going to have ridiculously short battery life, or they are going to be subsidized by Microsoft (or all of the above ....) Have you seen a netbook that can deliver 9 hours of real usage on Windows _and_ run at a reasonable speed (for $500, or even more)? I haven't. And the laptops that can are larger and much more expensive.
- madoublet 14y ago
  From what I have seen both the x86 and ARM perform on par with the iPad and have 9+ hours of battery life. I think you are just making stuff up now.
  - beagle3 14y ago
    I am making it up that I couldn't find a notebook with ipad comparable snappy response times and ipad comparable battery time? I'm not saying I'm all-knowing and that I survey every single piece of hardware that ever goes on sale everywhere, but I did spend considerable time looking for a Windows one (I needed it for a product I'm selling, and ended up with a $2200 HP notebook instead! and it has less than 6 hours of useful battery life!), and came up empty. If you know of such a notebook, please let me know. As they say, put up or shut up.

weiran 14y ago

Any idea of international pricing?

ffffruit 14y ago
499USD will most probably translate into 499GBP unfortunately
bskap 14y ago
399 pounds in Britain, 479 Euros in Germany and 489 in France.

tomrod 14y ago

I see that price point as being too high. I think 399 USD would be right in that sweet spot (especially considering this will be considered a poor Ipad substitute in the beginning).

freehunter 14y ago
What people in this thread are missing is that Microsoft isn't trying to capture the entire WinRT market with this device, they're not trying to outsell their partners, they're trying to set a benchmark. Something for their partners to compete against, and for those partners to compete against it (and the iPad) successfully. The point of Surface is to keep Asus, HP, Samsung, etc from making a not-quite-iPad for $700 and blogs mocking the demise of the platform. Basically, if WinRT partners cannot outsell the Surface, they don't deserve to be selling Windows tablets. That is what Microsoft is implying with this release. Making it impossible to compete against would actively destroy that effort.
- tomrod 14y ago
  No, I fully understand the claim that Microsoft has designed this and set the price point to encourage an ecosystem to stay afloat. Yet, Microsoft has done fine in a number of hardware spheres without serious competition (e.g. XBox--1, maybe 1.5 competitors between Sony and Nintendo). I remain skeptical that the better good is the underlying motivation.

csmeder 14y ago

What is the resolution?

gilrain 14y ago
From AnandTech (http://www.anandtech.com/show/6377/inside-microsofts-surface-rt-tablet http://www.anandtech.com/show/6377/inside-microsofts-surface...): 1366x768.
Timmy_C 14y ago
I haven't been able to find any credible information about resolutions but the rumors seem to point toward less than retina. But the flip side of that is most of the Windows 8 interface is rectangles with large type. You don't need very high resolution devices to make that style of interface look crisp and sharp.

jtoeman 14y ago

I think this is the nail on the already-likely-dead coffin of MS Surface. What's the market they are going after??? "tablet market"? nope - already dominated by iPad "enterprise"? nope - 1) not a market, 2) already dominated by iPad "budget"? nope - priced on par with iPad seriously, how are they going to push this thing? they don't have a channel like Apple nor Amazon, so they need to rely on all their other paths. they should've called this "XPad", made it a mobile Xbox, and sold through that channel - just like they did with Kinect. fail fail fail.

shanelja 14y ago
Personally, I'm going to be buying one of these tablets, they look pretty powerful and cool, plus I prefer Microsoft offerings over Apple. They don't need to own a particular market, sure it helps, but personally, I couldn't care less how much it costs or how powerful it is, I would buy one of these just so I didn't have to buy an iPad. So to be honest, I think at least one market which this tablet will dominate is the "fuck you Apple" market.
- r00fus 14y ago
  > So to be honest, I think at least one market which this tablet will dominate is the "fuck you Apple" market. Sorry, this is already a crowded market - Android rules here, whether it's Google or Amazon shipping the product. Why would I buy this when I can get a Kindle Fire 4G with $50/yr mobile data? Why would I pay $300 more than a Nexus7? Microsoft has lost the forest for the trees - so bound up in hating and trying to produce an "iPad Killer" that they don't realize the competition is way ahead of them.
cryptoz 14y ago
> they should've called this "XPad" Can't. Apple owns all Pads. http://www.tuaw.com/2010/04/13/steve-jobs-apple-owns-pad-trademark/ http://www.tuaw.com/2010/04/13/steve-jobs-apple-owns-pad-tra...
- engtech 14y ago
  Microsoft could buy Always and re-purpose the Maxi-pad brand.

dewarrn1 14y ago

The "Touch Cover", which I'm assuming is the bit with the keyboard, will run you an extra $100-120. Given the attention to the Touch Cover in the promotional material MS has distributed, I'm surprised that it's even optional.

deleted 14y ago
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HyprMusic 14y ago

So will this be able to run standard Window's programs or just tablet versions of software? If it could run Windows applications then this could be a great alternative to ultrabooks, with the added perk of the flexibility of a tablet.

RobAtticus 14y ago
The Surface is running Windows RT, so the tablet versions of software. The Surface Pro (which doesn't have pricing info yet) will be x86 and therefore run standard Windows programs.

readme 14y ago

Won't compete with iPad on quality. Won't compete with Android on price. Why should anyone buy this?

JimmaDaRustla 14y ago
Defend your first argument.
- tomrod 14y ago
  I reckon he'd make a history based approach. Never seen a Gateway circa 2000 run Mac software. But eh, I'm not him, no so idea to be honest.
turtlebits 14y ago
Because it has a tablet form factor and UI but can also run desktop apps?
- baddox 14y ago
  That's not true of the RT version. It's an ARM tablet.
lotso 14y ago
This article from The Verge does a good job explaining how much of the focus of the Surface was making sure it had quality hardware. I don't think you can say it won't compete with the iPad on quality, until you use it. "Everything is perfected and tested in Redmond using in-house machines, many of which were invented so they could invent the Surface, and later-stage models are sent to China for more massive production. The company uses the exact same 3D and laser printers as its factories in China, so its designs are certain to be translated perfectly into mass production — though even that didn't satisfy the design team, which has made as many as ten trips to China this year alone." "The hinge on the Surface's built-in kickstand may have been the device's most discussed feature during our tour in Redmond. Microsoft has obsessed over how the kickstand works, how it looks, even how it sounds..." "At 3mm thick, it's almost hard to believe there's room to fit a working keyboard inside the cover — Panay liked to talk about how the team's goal was for the Touch Cover to be 4.2mm thick, and they did even better." "At one point we stood in a testing room, where five different Touch Covers were having their hinges tested by a machine that twisted back and forth every second or so. As the Covers furled and unfurled, we watched a 36-inch drop test, the Surface crashing onto its right side. No one flinched as the Surface fell, and Panay even said he's more worried about denting the wood floor than the Surface (we'll test that one for ourselves). While our backs were turned looking at the next test, Sinofsky grabbed a Surface that had four green wheels attached to the bottom, and hopped on board. He's apparently quite the skateboarder." "The first screen size Microsoft seriously considered was 10.1 inches, the de facto standard for tablets today. But 10.1 inches didn't work well for multitasking, and it wasn't wide enough for a full-sized keyboard. So the company tried 11.1 inches — typing was great, as was multitasking, but Panay said "it really missed on the tablet experience." So Microsoft split the difference, and found 10.6 inches was the right size. The 10.6-inch Surface is comfortable to hold, Panay said, and "when you set your hands down in typing position, you can have a great experience."" http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/16/3511002/microsoft-surface-inside-look-history http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/16/3511002/microsoft-surface...

kaolinite 14y ago

If it was a little less, I'd probably buy this. I'm a huge fan of Windows 8 (don't get me wrong: it's going to be horrendous for regular users, but as a techie, I think it's a really nice UI). $500 though is just too much for something that is so easily dismissed. I'd pay that much for an iPad or a Macbook because I know they will be well built and work well. Surface has to prove itself to me and as of yet, it hasn't shown me why I should spend that much on it.

ortusdux 14y ago

It appears they are using Vapor deposition of Magnesium to make the body. I hope it is just a texture on the outside. If anything could escalate the problem of a combusting battery, it would be a metal that ignites at 480°C and burns at up to 3000°C. Edit: this reminds me of the NeXTCube. http://simson.net/hacks/cubefire.html http://simson.net/hacks/cubefire.html

maxpert 14y ago

Battery: iPad 42.5-watt-hour clearly mentioning browsing time (its called confidence on your quality) Surface RT 31.5-watt-hour Pro 42-watt-hour WiFi+Cellular: iPad Yep Surface WiFi only Weight: iPad 1.44lbs to 1.46lbs Surface RT 1.5lbs and Pro 2.0lbs Applications: iPad Rock solid platform unified Surface Choose between RT and Pro messed up ARM and x86 For me I think Microsoft has done same mistake again, introduce "complexity" and if you look closely they are actually selling you a "not a gorgeous quality stuff" for same price as iPad. I don't see Microsoft dominating the market! Just getting a market douche on stage that makes you hear sound of click with no quality in product pisses me off!

maxpert 14y ago
Not to mention they are trying to sit between netbooks, laptops and tablets and they ship a USB 2.0 in 2012! DUH Microsoft!

canistr 14y ago

Should mention in your title that it's $499 for the USD model. $499 doesn't really tell much about it and making comparisons to iPads are difficult given the lowest iPad is $499 for 16 GB. It should also be noted that Office is coming pre-installed. Which is awesome given the pricing.

klbarry 14y ago

As an analyst, I the killer app for this is Microsoft Excel, which you really need a keyboard for.

AndresOspina 14y ago

Surface I thought was going to be a bit cheaper, but I think Microsoft occasionally makes good software.

davidacoder 14y ago

Also, doesn't have a GPS, so only WiFi location services...