4 ms·

Before I start, let me say that I love the idea of a surface, and that the only reason I have an iPad instead of a surface is because I couldn't warrant spendin

by phaus 13y ago

Before I start, let me say that I love the idea of a surface, and that the only reason I have an iPad instead of a surface is because I couldn't warrant spending $900 bucks on a secondary device at the moment. Both are great devices, but if I had the money, I'd probably get a Surface Pro 2. >That’s what Surface is. A single, simple, affordable device that helps you both lean in and kick back. Let’s be clear – helping folks kill time on a tablet is relatively easy. Give them books, music, videos and games, and they’ll figure out the rest. Pretty much all tablets do that. The problem with this statement is that its not relatively easy. I've owned seven Android phones (starting with the G1), an Android tablet, an Asus EEE Slate, and two iPads. When it comes to a streamlined system for delivering entertainment, the iPad provides a superior experience to all of them. >The Surface and Surface 2 are less expensive than the iPad 2 and iPad Air respectively, and yet offer more storage, both onboard and in the cloud. I never understood why people say things that they know are disingenuous at the time they make the statement. Yes, its technically correct to say that the Surface Pro 2 is cheaper than a 128GB iPad, but Frank knows very well that the 16GB model is by far the most popular. >The good news is that Microsoft understands how people work better than anyone else on the planet. I think office is better than any of its competitors, but if Microsoft understands how people work better than anybody, why did we get an overpriced, gimmicky keyboard cover instead of something that can be used without a desk?

fekberg 13y ago
Considering what you can actually do with the different devices, I think the prices are a good selling point. I had an iPad before but after I got my Surface (both RT and Pro) I found myself using the tablet for more stuff and I found myself having it with me much more and enjoying it. I've used Surface Pro for work (Visual Studio, Office) and it's been working good. Regarding the keyboard and not having a desk, with Surface 2 it is supposedly better as you have one more angle with the kickstand. I love the TypeCover when I am by a desk, never really found TouchCover that enjoyable to write on. Here's some of the prices: Surface 2 with 32GB is $449 Surface 2 with 64GB is $549 Surface 2 pro with 64GB is $899 Surface 2 pro with 128GB is $999 Surface 2 pro with 256GB is $1,299 Surface 2 pro with 512GB is $1,799 iPad 2 with 16GB is $399 iPad Air with 16GB is $499 iPad Air with 32GB is $599 iPad Air with 64GB is $699 iPad Air with 128GB is $799
- phaus 13y ago
  So I guess what he said about the price wasn't true at all, unless he was counting the 128GB iPad with mobile data instead of the Wi-Fi version. IMO, if the Pro 2 had a keyboard option kind of like the Lenovo Helix, it would be the ideal device. As it stands, its really nice, but the lack of a true laptop conversion kit is a deal breaker in my case.
- Toshio 13y ago
  Ahem, your post sounds so enthusiastic about a product that has proven to be a dud with consumers, that I'm missing some kind of disclosure from you. Therefore, let me ask you this: are you in any way affiliated with microsoft? As in, you know, employee, freelance evangelist or member of a benefit program such as MVP. LATER EDIT: Yeah I looked at your profile, my suspicions were confirmed.
  - fekberg 13y ago
    I got my Surface RT before I was an MVP. I bought the Surface Pro after I became an MVP. I'm going to buy the Surface 2 now. You're saying I can't be enthusiastic about the Surface because I am an MVP?
  - phaus 13y ago
    Its good to be aware that he does have a connection, but there are unaffiliated people that do like the Surface Pro. Its a dud with consumers because the price is high and the implementation is lacking. When the day finally arrives where someone absolutely nails the implementation of a hybrid device that's light enough to function as a tablet, as powerful and long-lasting as an ultrabook, capable of transforming from one to role to the other, while remaining competitively priced, pretty much everyone is going to want one. I think that we are nearing the time when such a device is possible. Unfortunately, it hasn't been designed yet, so here we are discussing the failures of another half-hearted attempt at making convergence a reality. There are bound to be people that say "Not everyone wants that", but if you could have a device that's equally well-suited to each role, without paying more, why wouldn't you?
    - 13y ago

by phaus 13y ago

fekberg 13y ago

Considering what you can actually do with the different devices, I think the prices are a good selling point. I had an iPad before but after I got my Surface (both RT and Pro) I found myself using the tablet for more stuff and I found myself having it with me much more and enjoying it. I've used Surface Pro for work (Visual Studio, Office) and it's been working good. Regarding the keyboard and not having a desk, with Surface 2 it is supposedly better as you have one more angle with the kickstand. I love the TypeCover when I am by a desk, never really found TouchCover that enjoyable to write on. Here's some of the prices: Surface 2 with 32GB is $449 Surface 2 with 64GB is $549 Surface 2 pro with 64GB is $899 Surface 2 pro with 128GB is $999 Surface 2 pro with 256GB is $1,299 Surface 2 pro with 512GB is $1,799 iPad 2 with 16GB is $399 iPad Air with 16GB is $499 iPad Air with 32GB is $599 iPad Air with 64GB is $699 iPad Air with 128GB is $799

phaus 13y ago
So I guess what he said about the price wasn't true at all, unless he was counting the 128GB iPad with mobile data instead of the Wi-Fi version. IMO, if the Pro 2 had a keyboard option kind of like the Lenovo Helix, it would be the ideal device. As it stands, its really nice, but the lack of a true laptop conversion kit is a deal breaker in my case.
Toshio 13y ago
Ahem, your post sounds so enthusiastic about a product that has proven to be a dud with consumers, that I'm missing some kind of disclosure from you. Therefore, let me ask you this: are you in any way affiliated with microsoft? As in, you know, employee, freelance evangelist or member of a benefit program such as MVP. LATER EDIT: Yeah I looked at your profile, my suspicions were confirmed.
- fekberg 13y ago
  I got my Surface RT before I was an MVP. I bought the Surface Pro after I became an MVP. I'm going to buy the Surface 2 now. You're saying I can't be enthusiastic about the Surface because I am an MVP?
- phaus 13y ago
  Its good to be aware that he does have a connection, but there are unaffiliated people that do like the Surface Pro. Its a dud with consumers because the price is high and the implementation is lacking. When the day finally arrives where someone absolutely nails the implementation of a hybrid device that's light enough to function as a tablet, as powerful and long-lasting as an ultrabook, capable of transforming from one to role to the other, while remaining competitively priced, pretty much everyone is going to want one. I think that we are nearing the time when such a device is possible. Unfortunately, it hasn't been designed yet, so here we are discussing the failures of another half-hearted attempt at making convergence a reality. There are bound to be people that say "Not everyone wants that", but if you could have a device that's equally well-suited to each role, without paying more, why wouldn't you?
  - 13y ago