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With Surface Tablet, Microsoft Stands Alone
Mashable ^ | June 19, 2012 | Lance Ulanoff

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 ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Technical
KEYWORDS: ipad; microsoft; microsoftsurface; microsofttablet; surface; surfacetablet; tablet; windows8
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To: SmokingJoe

I’m not interested for the same reason I detest any device that doesn’t have a built in keyboard. Touchscreens suck.


121 posted on 06/21/2012 7:04:50 PM PDT by Mad Dawgg (If you're going to deny my 1st Amendment rights then I must proceed to the 2nd one...)
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To: roadcat
Like I said, stick to facts.

Facts huh?
You Applebots wouldn't know facts if it hit you right between your eyes.

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?”

Whether Apple showed their iPhone 6 months or 7 months before launch, one FACT remains, Apple showed their product to the press/public, LONG BEFORE they were ready to launch, which is in direct contradiction to earlier claims by the Applebots in this thread that Apple products are “generally available either immediately or within a week or two” of the product announcement.
When Steve Jobs announced/showed the iPhone long before it was launched, the Aplebots thought it was the coolest thing ever, sight unseen. But now the same Applebots are now telling us they are “outraged” because Steve Ballmer announced the surface tablet a few months before launch?
I just gotta chuckle at that one.
Real reason the Applebots are up in arms is that the surface tablet has generated such positive buzz from the tech press, and they are scared their precious iPad is going to get some serious competition.

122 posted on 06/21/2012 7:13:16 PM PDT by SmokingJoe
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To: SmokingJoe
Steve Ballmer announced the surface tablet a few months before launch?

You are extremely bad at math, even with a PC at your disposal. June minus Jan is 5 months, not 7. So Ballmer announces now in June, and several months later is September. I'll hold you to that. Good luck getting a Surface device then, because it won't be there at all. Reports are late Fall at best. If they can build it. And doubtful it will be under $1000.

123 posted on 06/21/2012 8:38:55 PM PDT by roadcat
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To: roadcat
You are extremely bad at math

That's arithmetic for you mate.
And I am probably much better at math than you will ever be, Mr “Apple makes products available either immediately or within a week or two” (the iPhone announcement says “Hello!)

June minus Jan is 5 months, not 7.”

Steve Jobs iPhone announcement, Jan. 9, 2007, IPhone actually released: June 29, 2007. That's just under SIX months for you mate, not five. But hey, you are the maths whiz here.

So Ballmer announces now in June, and several months later is September.”

“Several months” later is only equal to September(and not say October or November)?
Since when?
Are you stupid, or merely blinded by your rabid Microsoft hate to act stupid?

I'll hold you to that”

Same way you held Steve Job's feet to the fire, when he announced the iPhone beginning of January, and didn't release it till the end of June? Oh wait....

Good luck getting a Surface device then, because it won't be there at all”

Haha!
Getting desperate with your FUD are we?

Techcrunch:
“Microsoft has made it clear that it has contracted the manufacturing of the device as a whole,..
http://techcrunch.com/2012/06/18/hands-on-with-the-microsoft-surface-inside-and-out/

HEXUS:
“Sources in Taiwan have revealed that Taipei based Pegatron Technology has been hired to manufacture the new Surface tablet computers for Microsof..”
http://hexus.net/mobile/news/tablets/41409-microsoft-surface-tablet-prices-emerge/

Sorry old fellow. The surface tablets have already been contracted out to manufacturing. :)

And doubtful it will be under $1000.”

HEXUS:
“According to DigiTimes the 10.6 inch tablets would be priced at a figure over $599 and $799 for the RT and Windows 8 Pro versions respectively”

What more FUD ya got to throw?

124 posted on 06/22/2012 7:36:12 AM PDT by SmokingJoe
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To: Individual Rights in NJ

That’s pretty much what I do. I also have an Air, and my main desktop is dual-boot...Debian used 95% of the time...Win 7 used solely for iRacing.

I also have a Win 7 VM, and a Solaris VM as well (don’t really use it, though).

I think the real questions about the Windows tablet are: will people adapt to the funky interface, and will app vendors support it well?

Windows 8 is another story. I don’t think Metro is going to succeed on the desktop. Microsoft will have to give in and offer the “classic” Windows 7 interface as an option.


125 posted on 06/22/2012 8:00:57 AM PDT by B Knotts (Just another Tenther)
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To: SmokingJoe
And I am probably much better at math than you will ever be

I majored in mathematics and minored in computer science. Got top awards in math at my schools, and represented them in contests. So don't try your bs on me. You have serious issues with truth. Proof is in the pudding; let's see if MS comes through, time will tell. I might be on my 4th gen iPad by then.

126 posted on 06/22/2012 9:04:29 AM PDT by roadcat
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To: roadcat
I majored in mathematics and minored in computer science. Got top awards in math at my schools, and represented them in contests.

That's how come you think Jan. 9, 2007, to June 29, 2007 is only 5 months, yes?

Proof is in the pudding; let's see if MS comes through,”

See my previous post to you (with links). The surface tablet has already been contracted out to manufacturing.

127 posted on 06/22/2012 6:02:04 PM PDT by SmokingJoe
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To: SmokingJoe
That's how come you think Jan. 9, 2007, to June 29, 2007 is only 5 months, yes?

Let me teach you a liitle bit of math, say, at the elementary school level so you might comprehend it somewhat. Rounding of fractionals to a whole number. Either rounding down to 5 months. Or rounding up to the next whole number, which you seem to think is 7 months but my 4-year-old niece says is actually 6 months. So go back to school, little boy.

128 posted on 06/22/2012 7:38:38 PM PDT by roadcat
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To: SmokingJoe

5 = 6, you got it?!


129 posted on 06/22/2012 7:43:16 PM PDT by Revolting cat! (Bad things are wrong!)
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To: roadcat
Let me teach you a liitle bit of math, say, at the elementary school level so you might comprehend it somewhat.

Yeah?
This should be fun

Rounding of fractionals to a whole number. Either rounding down to 5 months.”

Umm..nope.
Now let me teach you something about rounding up numbers in mathematics:

“Rounding Numbers
A rounded number has about the same value as the number you start with, but it is less exact.

For example, 341 rounded to the nearest hundred is 300. That is because 341 is closer in value to 300 than to 400. When rounding off to the nearest dollar, $1.89 becomes $2.00, because $1.89 is closer to $2.00 than to $1.00

Rules for Rounding
Here's the general rule for rounding:

If the number you are rounding is followed by 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, round the number up. Example: 38 rounded to the nearest ten is 40
If the number you are rounding is followed by 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, round the number down. Example: 33 rounded to the nearest ten is 30

Rounding to a Whole Number
Step 1: See if the first number after the decimal point is greater than 4.

Step 2: If the number is greater than 4, drop the decimal part and add 1 to your number. Otherwise just drop the decimal part.

Example 1: Round 35.56

The first number after the decimal point is 5. This is greater than 4 so our rounded number is 35 + 1 = 36.

Example 2: Round 1.3333

The first number after the decimal point is 3. This is not greater than 4 so our rounded number is 1.

Now since Jobs announced the iPhone on January 9, but then never released the product till June 29, that makes it 5 months 20 days from announcement to release.
Assuming an average month of 30 days, 5 months 20 days = 5 23/30 months = 5.66666 months
Rounding up to the nearest whole number gives ya 5+1 = 6 months.
Get it, Mr. DUMMY?

Does your 4 year old niece think rounding up to the nearest whole number for 5.67 is 5, or is that really you that who is that dumb? Umm..what school did you say you got that degree in what was it, computer science from again?

130 posted on 06/23/2012 6:28:57 AM PDT by SmokingJoe
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To: SmokingJoe

Let’s hope they break this “mold”...your heart had to go out to this guy. He was licking his lips and looked like he was developing a tic...

http://www.wimp.com/newtablet/


131 posted on 06/23/2012 7:41:54 AM PDT by rlmorel ("The safest road to Hell is the gradual one." Screwtape (C.S. Lewis))
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To: SmokingJoe
Rounding up to the nearest whole number gives ya 5+1 = 6 months.

But you said 7 months (SEVEN MONTHS). Yes, you even capitalized it, just like a child would. Truth hurts, and you can't accept it. Ergo, you are the idiot. So sad that you can't see it, and resort to name-calling and insults. Yes, you started it, while I take the high ground. Petulant child, go back to school, but listen and learn something.

132 posted on 06/23/2012 8:54:24 AM PDT by roadcat
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To: SmokingJoe
Does your 4 year old niece think rounding up to the nearest whole number for 5.67 is 5, or is that really you that who is that dumb?

I stated both parts of the rounding rule. Rounding down, and rounding up. It is equally valid, and is accepted practice to do either. For instance, rounding down is acceptable when doing income taxes, rounding down to the nearest whole dollar. You still believe rounding up in the fives is to seven, conveniently forgetting that six comes after five.

I haven't resorted to calling you names, like dumb. As Forrest Gump said, "Stupid is as stupid does". Now look in a mirror and repeat that until it sinks in.

133 posted on 06/23/2012 9:03:16 AM PDT by roadcat
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To: roadcat
I stated both parts of the rounding rule. Rounding down, and rounding up

And promptly rounded down 5 months, 20 days to only 5 months. Chortle!

For instance, rounding down is acceptable when doing income taxes, rounding down to the nearest whole dollar”

We are talking about months here, not taxes. Your analogy is not applicable. So sorry.

134 posted on 06/24/2012 6:43:50 AM PDT by SmokingJoe
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To: roadcat
But you said 7 months (SEVEN MONTHS). Yes, you even capitalized it, just like a child would

According to you, it was FIVE months. Plus you earlier claimed that Apple shipped their products right after announcing or within a couple of weeks of announcing, until I did some research and found out you were lying as usual. The difference between two weeks, and 6 months is pretty substantial, no?

135 posted on 06/24/2012 6:52:21 AM PDT by SmokingJoe
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To: SmokingJoe
You're calling me a liar, when it is you who throw bald-faced lies out left and right. You also are quick to insult and call names, the hallmark of a scoundrel and hardly the makings of a Freeper. You indeed said SEVEN months, yet won't own up to it.

In your post #97, you wrote:
"You mean kinda like how Steve Jobs first of all announced the iPhone on Jan. 9, 2007, but then the iPhone never went on sale until June 29, almost seven months later?"

In your post #108, you wrote:
"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?" In your post #122, you wrote:

"Whether Apple showed their iPhone 6 months or 7 months before launch"

You're so confused, you're throwing all kinds of numbers out there except the correct ones. Dumb as can be.

136 posted on 06/24/2012 1:24:40 PM PDT by roadcat
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To: SmokingJoe
We are talking about months here, not taxes. Your analogy is not applicable. So sorry.

It is certainly applicable. One can round down to the next whole number, as well as up. It is accepted practice. When someone asks your age, and you are 13 years and 8 months old, you don't say you are 14; you say you are 13. (I think you are probably younger than that, but I digress. I was a paid math tutor at a local college, they found my knowledge quite valuable. Perhaps you should stop being so stubborn and learn a few things.

137 posted on 06/24/2012 1:32:28 PM PDT by roadcat
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To: SmokingJoe
We are talking about months here, not taxes. Your analogy is not applicable. So sorry.

It is certainly applicable. One can round down to the next whole number, as well as up. It is accepted practice. When someone asks your age, and you are 13 years and 8 months old, you don't say you are 14; you say you are 13. (I think you are probably younger than that, but I digress. I was a paid math tutor at a local college, they found my knowledge quite valuable. Perhaps you should stop being so stubborn and learn a few things.

138 posted on 06/24/2012 1:32:44 PM PDT by roadcat
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To: SmokingJoe
According to you, it was FIVE months. Plus you earlier claimed that Apple shipped their products right after announcing or within a couple of weeks of announcing, until I did some research and found out you were lying as usual.

As I said, you dredged up something from 5 years ago to support your argument, cherry-picking. And you say I'm lying as usual? Hardly, I stated the most recent example from Apple a week ago. Their newly announced MacPro with retina-display, available immediately. Not vaporware. I could dredge up many failures by Microsoft over the years, but I speak of the present. I suggest you do likwise.

Truth is, Apple released the iPad in 2010. They actually developed it before the iPhone, but fine-tuned it until the timing was right for release, after the iPhone. At the time, MS-bots derided it as useless and a glorified larger iPod Touch that no one would buy. So years later, MS uses the same talking points for the Surface as Steve Jobs did with the iPad. The Surface is a glorified larger iPad! Despite having 2 to 5 years to copy the iPad, MS still can't make the Surface available immediately after announcement? Major failure!

139 posted on 06/24/2012 1:49:54 PM PDT by roadcat
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To: SmokingJoe
According to you, it was FIVE months. Plus you earlier claimed that Apple shipped their products right after announcing or within a couple of weeks of announcing, until I did some research and found out you were lying as usual.

As I said, you dredged up something from 5 years ago to support your argument, cherry-picking. And you say I'm lying as usual? Hardly, I stated the most recent example from Apple a week ago. Their newly announced MacPro with retina-display, available immediately. Not vaporware. I could dredge up many failures by Microsoft over the years, but I speak of the present. I suggest you do likwise.

Truth is, Apple released the iPad in 2010. They actually developed it before the iPhone, but fine-tuned it until the timing was right for release, after the iPhone. At the time, MS-bots derided it as useless and a glorified larger iPod Touch that no one would buy. So years later, MS uses the same talking points for the Surface as Steve Jobs did with the iPad. The Surface is a glorified larger iPad! Despite having 2 to 5 years to copy the iPad, MS still can't make the Surface available immediately after announcement? Major failure!

140 posted on 06/24/2012 1:50:16 PM PDT by roadcat
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