5 ms·

I do the opposite thing when someone asks what to buy. I sort them out an older Lenovo T-series with windows 7 x64, security essentials and open office for arou

I do the opposite thing when someone asks what to buy. I sort them out an older Lenovo T-series with windows 7 x64, security essentials and open office for around 150GBP. Never a single complaint. Sure it ain't pretty but they work and are cheap and way more functional than an RT device. Not sure I could live with the inevitable brick wall when someone takes their RT and tries to install some obscure bit of software they've been relying on for years on it (or open university materials for example). That's instant end game for them, resulting in "why did I buy this piece of shit"

untog 13y ago
Not sure I could live with the inevitable brick wall when someone takes their RT and tries to install some obscure bit of software they've been relying on for years on it (or open university materials for example). Like when someone tries to do the same with their iPad? As long as you don't sell the RT as being able to run everything, I don't think people will expect it to.
- harrytuttle 13y ago
  I wouldn't sell them an ipad either, or an android tablet. RT is a bit of a con as it has the appearance of windows but isn't totally compatible. Most users, despite your best intentions probably have no idea what you are talking about.
- smacktoward 13y ago
  It would be a lot easier for people to understand that RT can't run arbitrary Windows applications if Microsoft didn't insist on calling it "Windows."
  - untog 13y ago
    I agree that the branding could be better, but IMO the Surface Pro is in the weirder spot out of the two. No-one expects Windows Phone to run desktop apps, and I'd wager that people wouldn't expect Windows Tablet (if they called it that much more sensible name) to, either.
- girvo 13y ago
  Its funny watching peoples eyes light up and mind start racing with possibilities when I explain that the Pro is a full Windows Laptop... that happens to be a tablet as well! :P
- faet 13y ago
  My university allows iPads on the network. Any sort of windows ecosystem and you need to install 3rd party software which probably isn't supported by RT.
- ChikkaChiChi 13y ago
  The problem is perception. Its easy for someone on an iPad to 'get' the fact that it's not a full blown OSX machine where as the line is far more blurry on Microsoft's part. Of course if Apple has anything to say about it, they want to blur the line just as much (if not moreso).
girvo 13y ago
I feel, honestly, despite personally being a desktop Linux and Mac user myself, for people replacing a netbook they will get more usage out of an RT. While I wouldn't use one for myself, that's only because I don't use Microsoft products anymore. If I was, then my Nexus 7 with bluetooth keyboard would be an RT Oddly enough, once regular people have a play with the Surfaces, they love the new interface for the most part. I love seeing someone work out how to snap apps side by side: finally I can no longer be sad about windows users wasting their screen real estate with Maximize all the time :P In reply to your point about running incompatible software: that's what the Qualify step of sales is for. I make it very clear that they won't be able to run anything other than what's in the Store, and show them what is available. For your average consumer, crazily, and despite what I expected, that's often enough! In the interests of full disclosure, I am a good sales person, #1 at every store I've worked at in the past 4 years or so, but I truly believe the only reason that is the case is I make a big effort to get the customer the right device :)

untog 13y ago

Not sure I could live with the inevitable brick wall when someone takes their RT and tries to install some obscure bit of software they've been relying on for years on it (or open university materials for example). Like when someone tries to do the same with their iPad? As long as you don't sell the RT as being able to run everything, I don't think people will expect it to.

harrytuttle 13y ago
I wouldn't sell them an ipad either, or an android tablet. RT is a bit of a con as it has the appearance of windows but isn't totally compatible. Most users, despite your best intentions probably have no idea what you are talking about.
smacktoward 13y ago
It would be a lot easier for people to understand that RT can't run arbitrary Windows applications if Microsoft didn't insist on calling it "Windows."
- untog 13y ago
  I agree that the branding could be better, but IMO the Surface Pro is in the weirder spot out of the two. No-one expects Windows Phone to run desktop apps, and I'd wager that people wouldn't expect Windows Tablet (if they called it that much more sensible name) to, either.
girvo 13y ago
Its funny watching peoples eyes light up and mind start racing with possibilities when I explain that the Pro is a full Windows Laptop... that happens to be a tablet as well! :P
faet 13y ago
My university allows iPads on the network. Any sort of windows ecosystem and you need to install 3rd party software which probably isn't supported by RT.
ChikkaChiChi 13y ago
The problem is perception. Its easy for someone on an iPad to 'get' the fact that it's not a full blown OSX machine where as the line is far more blurry on Microsoft's part. Of course if Apple has anything to say about it, they want to blur the line just as much (if not moreso).

girvo 13y ago

I feel, honestly, despite personally being a desktop Linux and Mac user myself, for people replacing a netbook they will get more usage out of an RT. While I wouldn't use one for myself, that's only because I don't use Microsoft products anymore. If I was, then my Nexus 7 with bluetooth keyboard would be an RT Oddly enough, once regular people have a play with the Surfaces, they love the new interface for the most part. I love seeing someone work out how to snap apps side by side: finally I can no longer be sad about windows users wasting their screen real estate with Maximize all the time :P In reply to your point about running incompatible software: that's what the Qualify step of sales is for. I make it very clear that they won't be able to run anything other than what's in the Store, and show them what is available. For your average consumer, crazily, and despite what I expected, that's often enough! In the interests of full disclosure, I am a good sales person, #1 at every store I've worked at in the past 4 years or so, but I truly believe the only reason that is the case is I make a big effort to get the customer the right device :)