3 ms·

Bet the optional* keyboard costs like $300 now, though. *not really optional

by mg1982 12y ago

sz4kerto 12y ago
You'd lose the bet. Keyboard is $129, docking station is $199, pen is $49.
- mg1982 12y ago
  You got me there. My point, as you no doubt know, was that they're advertising a low headline price and then jacking it up with 'optional' extras that provide core functionality.
  - dman 12y ago
    The competition (ipad / android tablets) doesnt come with keyboard either.
    - mitchell209 12y ago
      But iPads and Android tablets don't have a UI that practically requires the precision of a trackpad. Obviously you don't have to use the Desktop on your Surface 3, but Microsoft is clearly pushing that as a core feature.
      - chton 12y ago
        I can't speak for the Surface 3, but I have owned a Surface Pro 3 for a good while now. I _never_ use the trackpad. Browsing, office, even doing software development can all easily be done using finger and pen (for when you need finer control). I've gone so far as to check if there is a Type Cover for it that doesn't have the trackpad, but uses the space for something else. I know it's the popular thing to say that Windows 8 isn't fit for touch devices, but it's outdated and usually only reiterated by people who don't have any proper experience doing it.
      - dangrossman 12y ago
        You can use a $5 mouse or keyboard from any manufacturer with it. It's got USB and Bluetooth. Nothing about the UI requires the undersized "trackpad" built-in to the keyboard covers.
  - gokhan 12y ago
    You can use it just like an ipad, without a keyboard. Or you can buy keyboard and use it as a laptop and a tablet. What core functionality are you talking about?
  - whoiskevin 12y ago
    Do ipads or other competitors come with keyboards, pens, covers? Seems they are right in the market then doesn't it?
    - 27182818284 12y ago
      No, but they also aren't shown on the company's product page with a keyboard in the photo and "Great pen experience" as a subheader. http://www.apple.com/ipad/ http://www.apple.com/ipad/ vs http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/products/surface-3 http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/products/surface-3
- Dylan16807 12y ago
  I say he wins the bet. Those prices are ridiculous. How does a docking station cost as much as an entire media PC?
LukaszB 12y ago
$129.99 [1] [1] http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Surface-Pro-Type-Cover/productID.300193600?WT.mc_id=SurfaceBG=Surface-Pro-Type-Cover http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Surface-...

Bet the optional* keyboard costs like $300 now, though. *not really optional

by mg1982 12y ago

Bet the optional* keyboard costs like $300 now, though. *not really optional

sz4kerto 12y ago

You'd lose the bet. Keyboard is $129, docking station is $199, pen is $49.

mg1982 12y ago
You got me there. My point, as you no doubt know, was that they're advertising a low headline price and then jacking it up with 'optional' extras that provide core functionality.
- dman 12y ago
  The competition (ipad / android tablets) doesnt come with keyboard either.
  - mitchell209 12y ago
    But iPads and Android tablets don't have a UI that practically requires the precision of a trackpad. Obviously you don't have to use the Desktop on your Surface 3, but Microsoft is clearly pushing that as a core feature.
    - chton 12y ago
      I can't speak for the Surface 3, but I have owned a Surface Pro 3 for a good while now. I _never_ use the trackpad. Browsing, office, even doing software development can all easily be done using finger and pen (for when you need finer control). I've gone so far as to check if there is a Type Cover for it that doesn't have the trackpad, but uses the space for something else. I know it's the popular thing to say that Windows 8 isn't fit for touch devices, but it's outdated and usually only reiterated by people who don't have any proper experience doing it.
    - dangrossman 12y ago
      You can use a $5 mouse or keyboard from any manufacturer with it. It's got USB and Bluetooth. Nothing about the UI requires the undersized "trackpad" built-in to the keyboard covers.
- gokhan 12y ago
  You can use it just like an ipad, without a keyboard. Or you can buy keyboard and use it as a laptop and a tablet. What core functionality are you talking about?
- whoiskevin 12y ago
  Do ipads or other competitors come with keyboards, pens, covers? Seems they are right in the market then doesn't it?
  - 27182818284 12y ago
    No, but they also aren't shown on the company's product page with a keyboard in the photo and "Great pen experience" as a subheader. http://www.apple.com/ipad/ http://www.apple.com/ipad/ vs http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/products/surface-3 http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/products/surface-3
Dylan16807 12y ago
I say he wins the bet. Those prices are ridiculous. How does a docking station cost as much as an entire media PC?

LukaszB 12y ago

$129.99 [1] [1] http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Surface-Pro-Type-Cover/productID.300193600?WT.mc_id=SurfaceBG=Surface-Pro-Type-Cover http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Surface-...