Microsoft to launch its own tablet: Microsoft Surface

[Matt D]

https://allthingsd.com/20120614/micr...ns-loom-large/

http://www.thewrap.com/media/article...-insider-44271

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2405855,00.asp

MS has scheduled an event for Monday in LA, at which it promises to make a "major" announcement.

Speculation is that it is due to announce that it is entering the tablet market directly, by actually making its own tablet instead of just providing Windows RT (the ARM version of Windows 8 ) for other manufacturers to stick on their own tablets.

Risky, but if MS gets it right it could pay off.

Android tablets are still struggling compared to the iPad, with the best selling non-Apple tablet (Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1) still only selling 1/10 as many units as Apple sells iPads. Android's fragmentation doesn't help either, nor does the lack of a complete ecosystem like Apple has with the iPad.

MS though could potentially do better. Like Apple, it would control the software *and* the hardware, and like Apple it would have the content, the ecosystem.

It would still take a lot to take on the iPad juggernaut, but MS may well have a better chance than those that have failed before. Hell, maybe it could give it an Xbox branding...

Then again, other manufacturers have tried similar before, and failed miserably...HP with the TouchPad and RIM with the BlackBerry PlayBook.

The Kindle Fire is the only "end to end" tablet solution other than the iPad to have not failed, however it's not been the brilliant success many hoped for, slipping behind the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in the recent quarter, after initially having very good sales in the previous "holiday" quarter.


Still, this will be very interesting if MS does release its own tablet. Hopefully it won't flop like its attempt at entering the portable media player market (the Zune).

[Chris]

An interesting one, this. Would an MS-Tab be 'another Zune' or 'another Xbox' or something else again? I guess the first question is, why did the Zune fail as spectacularly as the Xbox succeeded?

[Damien]

Originally Posted by Chris

An interesting one, this. Would an MS-Tab be 'another Zune' or 'another Xbox' or something else again? I guess the first question is, why did the Zune fail as spectacularly as the Xbox succeeded?

I don't think anyone, even at Microsoft, completely understands why. The Xbox division was better run and Microsoft understood the obstacles they would face in challenging Sony in the computer console market. They brought some decent developers, they invested in a loss-leading console in the original xbox which was only meant to leave a decent impression and strengthening the brand. They knew they would never make their money back or beat the PS2 when they released it. However they did succede in gaining mindshare, some loyal fans, a repectible brand and experence which helped then in releasing the Xbox 360.

The Zune they simply didn't understand. Apple had the iPod/iTunes combo working really well and knew how to market it. Microsoft just never seemed to get it, the hardware wasn't as well designed, the software not as integrated and they couldn't market it as being 'cool'. More importantly whereas there is substance in the console games market (hardware has more variation, you set yourself about by having exclusive games) it is harder to differentiate yourself when it comes to MP3 Players - just a device that needs to do one thing well.

It will be interesting to see what Microsoft do with the tablet. I think I'll take the cowardly route and say it will be a moderate success. It will be the main challenger to the iPad as Android hasn't being able to mount a serious challenge as of yet. I don't think it will be a xbox level success but it won't be a Zune level failure.

[deathtrap3000]

Originally Posted by Damien

The Zune they simply didn't understand. Apple had the iPod/iTunes combo working really well and knew how to market it. Microsoft just never seemed to get it, the hardware wasn't as well designed, the software not as integrated and they couldn't market it as being 'cool'.

They may have failed miserably with the zune, but the one thing they got right was the design. If they were available over here then I would have bought one.

[tizmeinnit]

Very interested to see how Windows RT runs on Arm.

I really hope this is the path MS go with this Tablet if they release a PC Tablet and they give intel a wide berth

[Telly_]

Originally Posted by deathtrap3000

They may have failed miserably with the zune, but the one thing they got right was the design. If they were available over here then I would have bought one.

I imported a ZuneHD wanna buy it?

[Scrubbs]

I just bought a chinese 7" tablet running ICS and it's brilliant, have to see about buying a dongle for it and sticking in my phone sim.
For under £100 I can't fault it

[Matt D]

Confirmed... and very nice it looks too.

Much more interesting than all the carbon-copy Android tablets.


ARM Surface running Windows RT. 32GB or 64GB. Priced like comparable ARM tablets. Release date "around" the Windows 8 launch.

Intel Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) Surface running Windows 8 Pro. 64GB or 128GB. Priced like Ultrabooks. Release date "three months after" the Windows 8 launch.

Touch Cover - magnetically attached cover like a Smart Cover...but with a built-in multi-touch keyboard.

I think the iPad may finally have some serious competition (although let's see the pricing, apps, and content support...).

https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en/us/default.aspx

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/m...let-announced/

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/m...windows-8-pro/

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/m...rt-and-window/

[Maggy J]

Well if it's comparable in price then I won't be buying it..on the grounds I just don't have the spare cash.

[peanut]

Not sure if it'll be normal windows software based or app based. If it is normal windows programs then hard drive space will be too small and if it'll be separate app based then how can it compete. I think they've left it a little too late. Looks like a nice machine though, I like the keyboard cover, I wonder if that is sold separately as well.

[Maggy J]

Originally Posted by peanut

Not sure if it'll be normal windows software based or app based. If it is normal windows programs then hard drive space will be too small and if it'll be separate app based then how can it compete. I think they've left it a little too late. Looks like a nice machine though, I like the keyboard cover, I wonder if that is sold separately as well.

It's Windows 8.

[peanut]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

It's Windows 8.

Yeah that's the OS, so you're saying it'll run normal windows programs? If that the case, then it'll be down to price / battery vs a laptop.

[Matt D]

It's both.

The ARM version runs Windows RT, which only runs Metro apps.

The Intel version runs Windows 8 Pro, which will run normal software.

[Chris]

Looks like they're trying to have their cake and eat it ... They want to get into the tablet market but they just can't help seeing everything as basically another PC. Or perhaps they want the rest of the world to see everything as just another PC, because that's the only realm where people can be relied on to choose Microsoft without considering an alternative. If even Microsoft thinks the only way to get anyone to buy a Surface is to make customers think its just another PC, I don't hold out much hope for it.

When I first saw the photo this morning, with the built in stand and the keyboard integrated into the cover, I thought it all looked very clever. But that, combined with the information about the different chipsets available and the different versions of Windows they will run, is beginning to make me think MS may be trying to be too clever, aiming to please everyone and pleasing no-one instead.

[cookie_365]

Looks gorgeous to me. Only question will be whether it has a 3g slot.

At the moment I'm waiting for the Asus Infinity but this could sway me away.