Posted on 06/19/2012 8:02:28 PM PDT by SmokingJoe
With its new Surface Tablet, Microsoft didn’t just break the mold. It smashed it into a million little pieces, chucked them all into the furnace and set the temperature to obliterate. There really is no precedent for what Microsoft did this week. What was once recognizable is gone. The expected is no more. There are no rules, only supply and the possibility of demand.
Microsoft finally built the tablet it wants to use for its platform: an ultra-thin, superlight, kick-stand-sporting, brainiac-cover wearing, touch screen wonder that elicited dozens of “I wants” in Mashable’s live blog chatter.
Surface is still wrapped in so much mystery (no pricing, no availability, no processor speed) that it remains something of an enigma. On the other hand, the tablet (which, depending on how you look at it, may be a full-blown tablet or a hybrid tablet PC) is no reference design. This is not the pad Microsoft wants its partners to build.
The partners are, at least in this instance, out of the picture.
This Is the Windows 8 Tablet
Lenovo, Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Toshiba and others will surely deliver dozens of Windows 8-based devices this year. Many will sport Intel CPUs. Some, like Asus and Lenovo, are planning tablets and convertibles. These may or may not be well-received. This is no longer Microsoft’s problem.
Or is it?
What, for example, does Microsoft say about Windows tablet design now? Can it point to anything but its own Surface tablet as the epitome of Windows 8 design? Not likely. And what about that very smart cover with the built-in touch or tactile keyboard (take your pick)? Microsoft won’t license that design to its partners. So it’s inevitable that Windows RT partners will always have second best covers.
(Excerpt) Read more at mashable.com ...
If USB had the capability of physically latching — it’s a mere slide in, slide out connection, which, like Firewire, I never understood the rationale for the wimpiness of — then stuff like track balls could physically hang on to the side of a laptop.
Unix, upon which Mac is based and which Linux clones, had a better fundamental security model than Windows until recently. Windows required you, in essence, to be root all the time if you wanted to do anything useful with this all too accommodating schmoo of an office operating system that wasn’t even engineered for network usage. Windows 7 finally toughened things up, but I think even it still can get viruses.
You dredge up something from 5 years ago? Really? You haven’t been watching their rollouts for the last few years. Look at the latest one where the new Mac Pro with retina screen was announced - available same day. By the way, I was at that presentation when Steve Jobs announced the iPhone, and it was on full display for all to see - nothing hidden and not some vague promise without anything tangible like Microsoft announcing the Surface. Where are the specs?
I see. Your “user-unfriendly” is my “just one of those differences” from a PC.
I agree that a Mac ought to have a “delete” key. I think it’s probably a matter of Apple pride, though. It would be a concession to Microsoft to add it.
Not all Apple product announcements are “available today”, but they’re generally available either immediately or within a week or two, with a date certain, of the product announcement. I believe the 3rd-generation iPad that just came out was available about a week and a half after it was announced, for example. (In the U.S., at least. Some other countries had longer to wait.)
When Apple does make an announcement with a somewhat vague date, it’s a software release such as the upcoming Mountain Lion (”July”) or iOS 6 (”this fall”). These announcements also are made concurrent with making developer previews available, so it’s not truly vaporware but an advance announcement of a product with the lead time necessary to get the developers up to speed to make their products work on the updated OS.
You were having a whine about Microsoft showing the surface computer before it's release, so of course I brought up Steve Jobs first showing the iPhone a good SEVEN MONTHS before launch(as compared to Microsoft announcing the surface tablet only 4 months before launch).
Applebots!
You people are such pathetic hypocrites, and just so plain nuts!
Umm.. we are talking about when the iPhone was FIRST introduced mate..this one right here:
About how Steve Jobs first of all intrduced the iPhone on Jan. 9, 2007, but then the iPhone never went on sale until June 29, almost seven months later?
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9007628/Update_Jobs_touts_iPhone_AppleTV_
Were you at that one too?
"not some vague promise without anything tangible like Microsoft announcing the Surface”"
Funny. The guys at Wired magazine(not the most friendly Microsoft magazine I know of), had a hands on with the “nothing tangible surface”(according to you), and thought it was GREAT!
Wired:
Hands-On With Microsoft Surface Tablet for Windows RT
“But how does the device actually look and feel up close?
I spent some hands-on time with Microsoft Surface for Windows RT right after the announcement
The Surface tablet is definitely impressive, and it’s clear that Microsoft is serious about manufacturing full-fledged mobile hardware. The company’s hardware division, most known for making mice and keyboards, has come out of its software counterpart’s shadow to create a tablet that can rival the iPad and wipe out Android devices
It’s a simple setup, and again, it just plain works....
From what I saw at the event, Surface is a serious, refined, clever piece of hardware. The tablet is well-built, and comes with a lot of cool features #151; like the kickstand and available ports — that comparable tablets lack”
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/06/hands-on-with-microsoft-surface-tablet-for-windows-rt/
But hey, given the amount of rabbid, mindless, nasty trolling we have been getting from the Aplebots on the Microsoft surface tablet threads on every Internet board, the Applebots must be really worried. That is always a good sign.
Ummm.. the very first iPhone, was first shown by Steve Jobs to the public/press, a full SEVEN months before it was launched. This is the very first Microsoft tablet, and its coming out only four/five months after being shown to the public. Seems Microsoft is doing better(time-wise) than what Apple did with their iPhone announcement.
Check your math, it was less than 6 months (announced Jan. 9, 2007 and release June 29, 2007), and it came with a specific launch month (June) and a price, both of which were accurate.
We do not have a date certain for any Surface release yet. Not even a month. What we have is a a target of "this fall", with no pricing information and extremely minimal specifications.
But if you want to argue that Microsoft is a full five years behind Apple (and even more, since their Surface PR doesn't measure up to the original Jan. 2007 iPhone PR), I'm not going to stop you.
6 months, 7 months, bottom line: It still goes contrary to the earlier Applebot cliam that , and I quote : “ When Apple has a major announcement, they say “And it's available starting today.”. “(Post # 33), which I was replying to.
Does a 6 month delay after Steve Jobs first showing the iPhone, make it available “available starting today” as was being claimed by the Applebots?
“We do not have a date certain for any Surface release yet. Not even a month. What we have is a a target of “this fall”, with no pricing information and extremely minimal specifications.”
We know the surface tablet on Windows RT/ARM will come out with the Windows 8 launch, which is launching in October. Windows 8 tablets will hit the markets in the October/November timeframe.
Specifications huh? Tell me, how many iPad owners even know what chip the iPad is using?
And why should Microsoft today, announce the price of a product that they won't launch till Oct/Nov?
Present tense vs. past tense. If you can find a more recent Apple hardware product (not OS) announcement that didn't include availability on a named date within a week or two of the announcement, then you might be on to something. Going back nearly 5 and a half years does not reflect current practices unless it's part of an ongoing pattern.
We know the surface tablet on Windows RT/ARM will come out with the Windows 8 launch, which is launching in October. Windows 8 tablets will hit the markets in the October/November timeframe.
No, we do not know that. It is being speculated that the ARM-based launch will be simultaneous with Windows 8, but there's no evidence of Microsoft committing to that. All we do know is that the Surface can't be released before that timeframe, because it can't come out before Windows 8.
Specifications huh? Tell me, how many iPad owners even know what chip the iPad is using?
No idea. But the information on that is available the date the product announcement is made, for the people who do care to know.
And why should Microsoft today, announce the price of a product that they won't launch till Oct/Nov?
Why announce it today in the first place if you don't have a target date or price in mind (or finished tech specs, for that matter)?
I firmly believe Microsoft will produce a Surface tablet (and probably at least the two that they announced), but that doesn't stop the announcement from being vaporware. It's a PR tease, nothing more, until they can tell us what, when, and how much. If a lesser-known company put out an announcement with this low level of detail, they'd be called out for vaporware, so why should Microsoft be immune from the same designation?
Chuckle!
Says who?
So after Apple pre-announced the first iPhone by six months, everyone else cannot do the same thing for the first introduction of a totally new product for them(like the surface is for Microsoft)?
If you can find a more recent Apple hardware product (not OS) announcement that didn't include availability on a named date within a week or two of the announcement, then you might be on to something.
Umm..why “not an OS”, and why should I limit myself to less than 5 years?
When did Apple/Applebot crazies, become the final arbiter of when the first introduction of other companies products should be?
“Going back nearly 5 and a half years does not reflect current practices unless it's part of an ongoing pattern.”
Because the iPhone was a totally new product class for Apple then, same as the surface tablet is a totally new class of products for Microsoft. Microsoft has always depended on it's hardware partners to make the computers. This is huge!
“No, we do not know that”
Every other Microsoft OS,including Windows 7), has the hardware launched on the same launch day as the OS. Did Microsoft announce anything different for Windows 8?
“It is being speculated that the ARM-based launch will be simultaneous with Windows 8, “
ARM and Intel based will launched with Windows 8. Microsoft has however stated that Intel surface computers will launch 3 months after the ARM version.
“Why announce it today in the first place if you don't have a target date or price in mind (or finished tech specs, for that matter)? “
Same reason Apple did that with the iPhone: to create a buzz for the product beforehand(and boy, did the surface tablet create a buzz or what?), and in the case of Microsoft, to get IT departments at the very least thinking about Windows 8 tablets for their enterprise use.
Because OS announcements have to be made early in order to allow developers time to access developer previews so they can ensure their products work with the OS. You'll note I don't call Windows 8 itself vaporware because early announcements are a necessity for operating systems, especially OS upgrades.
And, as for the 5 (closer to 5 and a half) years, that's a lifetime in the technology world, and has little bearing on current practice.
Because the iPhone was a totally new product class for Apple then, same as the surface tablet is a totally new class of products for Microsoft. Microsoft has always depended on it's hardware partners to make the computers. This is huge!
Well, now I'm confused... because isn't the whole selling point of Windows 8 that it's the same thing on a phone, tablet, or desktop device? How can a specific hardware piece be a whole new class of device for a company that is basically claiming that device type doesn't matter?
Every other Microsoft OS,including Windows 7), has the hardware launched on the same launch day as the OS. Did Microsoft announce anything different for Windows 8?
Again, you're being confusing. In your previous comment, you state that this is the first time Microsoft is making the hardware, but in this statement you claim that they've had hardware/software releases in tandem. Which is it?
ARM and Intel based will launched with Windows 8.
And your source for that is...? I'm not interested in speculation or rumor, I want a statement from Microsoft that this is true, otherwise it is irrelevant to the discussion as only being a rumor.
to create a buzz for the product beforehand(and boy, did the surface tablet create a buzz or what?)
Oh, it created a buzz alright. Amazing how many people who criticize Apple users as "fanboys" or living inside a "reality distortion field" came out declaring that this new product -- for which we have practically no details other than Win 8 and basic form factor* -- is the best thing ever invented.
And again, "creating a buzz" with no detail is the definition of vaporware.
The remark about enterprise purchasers is acknowledged, however. I still say it would have been nice to have given some kind of price, timing, and specification guidance to people you expect to be making budgetary decisions for the next two quarters.
*subject to change
“betamax gooood, VHS baaaaaad.”
(/s)
some people decide their validation via a corporate logo.
Like I said, stick to facts. You crybabies are bad at math, as well as lying. By your accounts, announce in Jan, available in June. Jan is month 01. June is month 06. So that's 7 months? Jeesh! Just like Obama and his 57 states, you can't get anything right.
I work on many platforms, have since the 60s. I have several PCs, and several Macs, that I use regularly. OSX, Windows, Unix. I have dozens of other vintage machines. I find it amusing that Microsoft fans are the ones that howl the loudest and regularly attack the Apple threads, and resort to name calling and insults. I like all platforms. I'm a former Windows and NT admin, was responsible for hundreds of servers and desktops and a team under me. Also a former Novell admin, also IVPhase and a stint with Wangs. Someday Microsoft will wither away, and someone else will be king. They're just tools, people.
You are confused. Windows 7 for example was available in widely down-loadable beta form to the public for two years before Windows 7 was launched. The actual final code was delivered to PC makers before the official launch of Windows 7. On the very day that Windows 7 was officially launched, PC makers were ready with their PC, which were announced at the same time.
Again, why should i limit myself to less than 5 years on digging up Apple's own records on pre-announcing/revealing their hardware products to the public, long before they are ready to launch, like they did for the iPhone?
Because a bunch of rabid Applebots say so?
“And, as for the 5 (closer to 5 and a half) years, that's a lifetime in the technology world, and has little bearing on current practice”
Nonsense.
That has nothing to do with it.
You want me to limit it to less than 5 years because Apple revealed the iPhone to he public, long before they were ready to launch, but then you Applebot crazies are whining when Microsoft does the same thing, and hate being called out on it.
“Well, now I'm confused... because isn't the whole selling point of Windows 8 that it's the same thing on a phone, tablet, or desktop device?”
Umm.no.
Windows Phone 7/7.5/ and the upcoming Windows Phone 8 are for smarphones.
Windows RT is for ARM tablets.
Windows 8 Pro is for Intel tablets for both tablet(metro) mode and for the traditional desktop mode, when attached to a keyboard and mouse, when it can run all the millions of Windows 7 programs.
“How can a specific hardware piece be a whole new class of device for a company that is basically claiming that device type doesn't matter? “
Because prior to announcing the Surface tablet, Microsoft limited themselves to providing the OS, while it left making of the actual computers to their hardware partners.
DUH!
“In your previous comment, you state that this is the first time Microsoft is making the hardware, but in this statement you claim that they've had hardware/software releases in tandem. Which is it?”
Poor guy.
What I did NOT say, is that this is the first time Microsoft is making hardware. What I DID say was, this is the first time Microsoft is making PC's. Microsoft has been making hardware for DECADES. Microsoft has been either the # 1 or # 2 computer mouse maker on the planet for a very long time. Plus Microsoft makes keyboards, plus Microsoft started making the XBOX back in 2011
“Oh, it created a buzz alright.”
It sure did. And the Applebots are very worried. Chuckle!
“Amazing how many people who criticize Apple users as “fanboys” or living inside a “reality distortion field” came out declaring that this new product — for which we have practically no details other than Win 8 and basic form factor* — is the best thing ever invented”
Now Wired magazine, is the most cutting edge technology magazine out there, and they are no Microsoft fans, yet after a hands on with the superb Microsoft surface tablet, even they couldn't help waxing rapturous:
Wired:
Wired:
Hands-On With Microsoft Surface Tablet for Windows RT
“But how does the device actually look and feel up close?
I spent some hands-on time with Microsoft Surface for Windows RT right after the announcement
The Surface tablet is definitely impressive, and it’s clear that Microsoft is serious about manufacturing full-fledged mobile hardware. The company’s hardware division, most known for making mice and keyboards, has come out of its software counterpart’s shadow to create a tablet that can rival the iPad and wipe out Android devices
It’s a simple setup, and again, it just plain works....
From what I saw at the event, Surface is a serious, refined, clever piece of hardware. The tablet is well-built, and comes with a lot of cool features #151; like the kickstand and available ports — that comparable tablets lack”
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/06/hands-on-with-microsoft-surface-tablet-for-windows-rt/
This s*** is for real. Deal with it!
“And again, “creating a buzz” with no detail is the definition of vaporware”
What “detail” you whining about? The product was real enough. Folks at Wired, Engadget, Mashable, PC Mag, Slashgear, and practically all the top tech mags/sites, had hands on with it and for the most part, were duly impressed with the product. Don't sound much like vaporware to me. :)
“The remark about enterprise purchasers is acknowledged, however. I still say it would have been nice to have given some kind of price, timing, and specification guidance to people you expect to be making budgetary decisions for the next two quarters.”
All in good time. I might point out some doctors, who read about and watched the videos of the surface prsentation, are already giving it some serious thought, as pointed out in this thread of mine:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2897822/posts
I am sure there are plenty of such stories around. And that is even without a price, or specs being announced.
I might also point out that at the recent Commputex trade show in Taiwan, of the 20 or so Windows 8 tablets/hybrids that were shown there, not even one computer maker announced pricing or exactly what the specs were either.
Here ya go.
Plenty of “hands on” examination of the Microsoft Surface tablet from some of the top tech magazines/sites on the planet. They did a heck of a lot more than just merely turn it on
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/06/hands-on-with-microsoft-surface-tablet-for-windows-rt/
With video(the guy is pretty impressed) :):
http://www.technobuffalo.com/companies/microsoft/microsoft-surface-tablet-hands-on-video/
You got it the other way round, mate. Thus just so happens to be a Microsoft thread. All the attacking of the Microsoft surface tablet so far, have been done by the Applebots.
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