Surface Laptop and Surface Pro available today in markets around the world (Big launch!)

Windows Blog (Microsoft) ^ | Jun 14, 2017 | Panos Panay

[dayglored]

These look pretty slick. A bit on the expensive side compared to their lesser brethren, but that's to be expected.

[dayglored]

Surface Pro product launch! ... PING!

You can find all the Windows Ping list threads with FR search: just search on keyword "windowspinglist".

[dayglored]

Let me save y’all the trouble — NO I’M NOT A MICROSOFT SHILL. Thank you.

[dayglored]

Excellent review from The Verge: https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/15/15804114/microsoft-new-surface-pro-2017-review-laptop-tablet-windows

[markomalley]

Can they be purchased with Debian or Red Hat?

(Only a fool would voluntarily use a device running Redmond spyware)

[dayglored]

I’m sure they’ll run Linux, with the appropriate incantations. They may have version of secure boot protocols built in, but there are a couple of Linux distros that can navigate that.

[Reily]

I’ve seen some demos where you can run Linux off a Surface. Providing you load Linux off a USB thumb drive.

[dayglored]

Pricing, specs, and release info from PC World: http://www.pcworld.com/article/3198024/tablet-pc/microsoft-surface-pro-pricing-release-date-specs-features-faqs.html

[unixfox]

They are definitely more expensive than other tablets or laptops. Even the keyboard for the Surface is WAY overpriced.

I’ve used the Surface in the past and I always go back to my good ole Windows 7 machines. They just keep working.

[musicman]

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[smokingfrog]

How is Surface all that different from a touch screen laptop?

[StAntKnee]

Speaking of which. With this launch, I expect many good PCs to be available now at firesafe prices.

Recommendations for a laptop with no need for gaming or graphics power? Need Office and Dragon Professional Individual, which should be easy to find.

[dayglored]

It appears to be a little lighter/thinner. It’s definitely on the edge of the definition, though. The boundaries are quite blurred.

[smokingfrog]

Lighter, thinner, battery lasts longer, and they throw in a few freebies I guess.

[dayglored]

> ...I always go back to my good ole Windows 7 machines. They just keep working.

I know what you mean. These are cool looking devices, but I sure wish they'd optionally run Win7 instead of Win10. Honestly, that's the only thing I don't like about them.

[Dalberg-Acton]

Does it run on Linux?

[dayglored]

> Does it run on Linux?

Not by default :-) Heck, it doesn't even run Win7 by default. Just Win10.

However, I suspect folks will figure out how to run Linux on it. See my comment #6 above.

[Pikachu_Dad]

No thanks ! No more micro doze for me !

[No.6]

I really don’t follow why FR turns into neo-luddite central (I’m sticking with Windows XP/7, let’s all run Linux) every time MSFT comes up, but meanwhile people are happily running their Apple (consider their CEO) or Google (your life is their product) phones.

It’s just a tablet or laptop, you can run whatever you like on it, please try not to panic.

Personally I’m on the “not buying it at all” side on this one — very elegant design, but lacking horsepower. Also, Alcantara is potentially a lot of work to keep fresh; I’m already having to consider gloves for my Alcantara sim-steering wheel.

[minnesota_bound]

The company I work at has several thousand cell phones.
The cell phones screens break easily. A new one is bought and overnighted to the user.
They are now buying Surface Pros. When they break they must be sent to a Microsoft repair center. This is expensive!