9 ms·

The only Surface I'm interested in is the Pro version. Without access to the wider world of Windows software, I'll just keep using my ASUS Transformer. Based

The only Surface I'm interested in is the Pro version. Without access to the wider world of Windows software, I'll just keep using my ASUS Transformer. Based on the lack of a release date and likely significantly higher pricing for the Pro I'll probably just end up buying someone else's hybrid Windows 8 solution (eg. ASUS seems like a good bet based on my positive experience with the aforementioned Transformer). I may be wrong due to my tech geek biases but I think leading out with the "RT" model is a mistake. The only super-compelling thing Windows 8 tablets bring to the table for me is the possibility of running "real" Windows software when using it as a laptop.

Metrop0218 14y ago
I think that is a big tech geek bias. It's really hard (impossible) to put ourselves in the shoes of the non-nerd, but we should try. I don't think the non-nerd will care as much as you do, or if at all. I think that leading with the RT model was actually a great call, because it will jump start the market of tablets that can only use modern apps and then in turn give a lot of incentives for developers to make them. If they led with the x86 surface, then the app market would have been a lot smaller come end of year.
- monsterix 14y ago
  Non-nerds generally tend to seek advise from nerdy in their vicinity (social circle). Sort of trickle down effect. The impact is quite significant now, given that nerds and semi-nerds are aplenty.
  - Metrop0218 14y ago
    Very true! As a company selling a new product you have to get approval from the nerds to have a successful product. I like this.
  - gizmogwai 14y ago
    True, but it is also true that nerds HATE with a passion to be referred as the de-facto helpdesk for those they will give any recommendation. I would never EVER, recommend any Linux distribution at the time being to any of my non-nerds contact, in favor of a product that is simple to use (even at the cost of some freedom) and very hard to break.
    - vetinari 14y ago
      I actually switched my parents from XP to Ubuntu few years ago (because any support would involve travelling). Since then, the most serious problem was yanked ethernet cable.
      - Shorel 14y ago
        You are lucky. When I tried that there was no Ubuntu, only RH and SuSe, and of course, Slackware. Nothing like OpenOffice or KOffice either. My mom did not like LaTeX and went back to MS Word.
- monkeynotes 14y ago
  Non tech geeks are going to buy the iPad though, surely. They are about the same price and the iPad is a far more elegant and simple solution. Chances are that the non tech geek will also own an iPhone/iPod Touch and the ability to share apps and music etc. is definitely going to appeal. At the price MS has this I am finding it hard to see who it will appeal to except tech geeks and maybe corporate.
  - Metrop0218 14y ago
    "They are about the same price and the iPad is a far more elegant and simple solution." - Elaborate. You didn't give any substance at all and that's an empty statement. How is it more elegant? It is an accessory. You can bet that the Microsoft marketing blitz will pound on this. They will drive home the point that you can write your term paper on your surface. I guarantee it. The only good argument against the surface right now is pre-existing ecosystems. People have apps/music/etc purchased on other ecosystems and that makes it tougher to drive home adoption among these 'entrenched' customers. But if the product is appealing enough, that can be overcome. The jury is still out on whether people will drop their iPads in favor of Surfaces.
    - georgemcbay 14y ago
      "The only good argument against the surface right now is pre-existing ecosystems." It isn't just ecosystems, it is massive mindshare (and keep in mind I say this as someone who is anti-Apple). For a lot of people I know who don't own tablets yet tablets basically are "iPads", the way web searching is "Googling" or adhesive bandages are "Band-Aids". "Oh is that a Droid iPad? I've heard of those, but never saw one before".
      - Metrop0218 14y ago
        Yes, I agree. That too, mindshare is very important. Almost as important as marketshare! I meant to lump this in to my statement but didn't elaborate on it.
    - roc 14y ago
- baddox 14y ago
  > It's really hard (impossible) to put ourselves in the shoes of the non-nerd Really? It doesn't seem that difficult. I imagine if the Surface RT is easy to use and good (hopefully great) at basic web browsing, email, social networks, etc. while having a decent selection of apps (this is the hard part with a new ecosystem), non-nerds will be fine with it.
  - Metrop0218 14y ago
    I agree with you :), but I was just mentioning that for most people, looking at the world through a different pair of lenses is difficult.
tehayj 14y ago
Exactly same thoughts. But I will give my Transformer to my wife and get the Pro, simply because I want to experience Windows 8 "how its meant to be" and because the Surface will have a big modder / hacker community.
dangrossman 14y ago
That might be on purpose -- releasing the RT model first just to force the rest of the manufacturers to also release something on Win8's debut, without releasing a Pro model to directly compete with the initial sales. As much a reference design as part of the marketing campaign -- ensuring Win8's launch looks concerted.

Metrop0218 14y ago

I think that is a big tech geek bias. It's really hard (impossible) to put ourselves in the shoes of the non-nerd, but we should try. I don't think the non-nerd will care as much as you do, or if at all. I think that leading with the RT model was actually a great call, because it will jump start the market of tablets that can only use modern apps and then in turn give a lot of incentives for developers to make them. If they led with the x86 surface, then the app market would have been a lot smaller come end of year.

monsterix 14y ago
Non-nerds generally tend to seek advise from nerdy in their vicinity (social circle). Sort of trickle down effect. The impact is quite significant now, given that nerds and semi-nerds are aplenty.
- Metrop0218 14y ago
  Very true! As a company selling a new product you have to get approval from the nerds to have a successful product. I like this.
- gizmogwai 14y ago
  True, but it is also true that nerds HATE with a passion to be referred as the de-facto helpdesk for those they will give any recommendation. I would never EVER, recommend any Linux distribution at the time being to any of my non-nerds contact, in favor of a product that is simple to use (even at the cost of some freedom) and very hard to break.
  - vetinari 14y ago
    I actually switched my parents from XP to Ubuntu few years ago (because any support would involve travelling). Since then, the most serious problem was yanked ethernet cable.
    - Shorel 14y ago
      You are lucky. When I tried that there was no Ubuntu, only RH and SuSe, and of course, Slackware. Nothing like OpenOffice or KOffice either. My mom did not like LaTeX and went back to MS Word.
monkeynotes 14y ago
Non tech geeks are going to buy the iPad though, surely. They are about the same price and the iPad is a far more elegant and simple solution. Chances are that the non tech geek will also own an iPhone/iPod Touch and the ability to share apps and music etc. is definitely going to appeal. At the price MS has this I am finding it hard to see who it will appeal to except tech geeks and maybe corporate.
- Metrop0218 14y ago
  "They are about the same price and the iPad is a far more elegant and simple solution." - Elaborate. You didn't give any substance at all and that's an empty statement. How is it more elegant? It is an accessory. You can bet that the Microsoft marketing blitz will pound on this. They will drive home the point that you can write your term paper on your surface. I guarantee it. The only good argument against the surface right now is pre-existing ecosystems. People have apps/music/etc purchased on other ecosystems and that makes it tougher to drive home adoption among these 'entrenched' customers. But if the product is appealing enough, that can be overcome. The jury is still out on whether people will drop their iPads in favor of Surfaces.
  - georgemcbay 14y ago
    "The only good argument against the surface right now is pre-existing ecosystems." It isn't just ecosystems, it is massive mindshare (and keep in mind I say this as someone who is anti-Apple). For a lot of people I know who don't own tablets yet tablets basically are "iPads", the way web searching is "Googling" or adhesive bandages are "Band-Aids". "Oh is that a Droid iPad? I've heard of those, but never saw one before".
    - Metrop0218 14y ago
      Yes, I agree. That too, mindshare is very important. Almost as important as marketshare! I meant to lump this in to my statement but didn't elaborate on it.
  - roc 14y ago
baddox 14y ago
> It's really hard (impossible) to put ourselves in the shoes of the non-nerd Really? It doesn't seem that difficult. I imagine if the Surface RT is easy to use and good (hopefully great) at basic web browsing, email, social networks, etc. while having a decent selection of apps (this is the hard part with a new ecosystem), non-nerds will be fine with it.
- Metrop0218 14y ago
  I agree with you :), but I was just mentioning that for most people, looking at the world through a different pair of lenses is difficult.

tehayj 14y ago

Exactly same thoughts. But I will give my Transformer to my wife and get the Pro, simply because I want to experience Windows 8 "how its meant to be" and because the Surface will have a big modder / hacker community.

dangrossman 14y ago

That might be on purpose -- releasing the RT model first just to force the rest of the manufacturers to also release something on Win8's debut, without releasing a Pro model to directly compete with the initial sales. As much a reference design as part of the marketing campaign -- ensuring Win8's launch looks concerted.