Microsoft Surface Pricing Revealed

[ictponder]

TBH I am a little bummed at the pricing even though it's quite reasonable. I just figured they would try to take a slight loss due to being so far behind in the tablet game when releasing something untested.

32GB - $499 (keyboard not included)
64GB - $599 (keyboard not included)

The keyboard will set you back another $120. That being said it does come preloaded with Office 2013 and a USB expansion port. Pricing seems fair considering what you're getting.

[NickS VR4]

This is for the 720p display, correct? Hope they take sales from Apple :) (and not Android)

[Mikes2nd]

This is for the 720p display, correct? Hope they take sales from Apple :) (and not Android)

720p camera's

OS | Windows RT, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT Preview2EXTERIOR | Dimensions: 10.81 x 6.77 x 0.37 in • Weight: Less than 1.5 lbs • Casing: VaporMg • Color: Dark Titanium • Physical buttons: Volume, PowerSTORAGE | 32 GB • 64 GBDISPLAY | Screen: 10.6" ClearType HD Display • Resolution: 1366 x768 • Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (widescreen) • Touch: 5-point multi-touchCPU | Chip: NVIDIA T30 • System memory: 2 GB RAMWIRELESS | Wireless: Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) • Bluetooth 4.0 technologyBATTERY | Up to 8 hours mixed activity • 7-15 days idle lifeCAMERAS | Two 720p HD cameras, front and rear-facingVIDEO | Two microphonesAUDIO | Stereo speakersPORTS | Full-size USB 2.0 • microSDXC card reader • Headphone jack • HD video out port • Cover portSENSORS | Ambient light sensor • Accelerometer • Gyroscope • MagnetometerWARRANTY | 1-year limited hardware warrantyAPPS (included) | Mail • Messaging • Word • Power Point • Excel • OneNote • SkyDrive • Internet Explorer 10 • Bing • Music • Video • Games • and more.

[J-Groove]

I just saw the new TV spot for that tonight.

Neat looking system, definitely love the integrated kick stand and the keyboard.

It won't be enough for me to even consider going away from my Xoom, but hopefully it will create a nice demand for a keyboard like the one for the Surface for Android.

-John

[Frostedbutts]

Terrible, terrible pricing structure.

Probably the unpopular opinion here but tablets are a longwinded fad and are essentially worthless outside of convenience. I'm still genuinely confused as to how they actually caught on.

- The Surface RT runs on the lolWindows App store. Buying this tablet is like buying an ipad with no apps but being edgy cause you're buying Microsoft cuz fuck apple ^_^

- Based on this hilariously bad pricing model, the Surface Pro (the only useful tablet in the world because it can run actual programs and not "apps") is going to be somewhere in the $1000 range. It will be able to run Windows programs, but buy a laptop at that price. Hell, buy two laptops at that price.

Being able to run Windows programs does make it 10000000000x more useful than an iPad or any Android tablet, but you also have to consider - "This would be so much better and easier on my tablet" - No one, ever. Desktop operating systems are not meant to be used on a touchscreen interface. With that said, Microsoft is taking the limited number of things that would be more intuitive on a tablet (I can't think of any), and attaching a price tag to it that doesn't fit.

I may be wrong though, maybe they can ride the wave of the tablet fad and people will delude themselves into thinking tablets are productive.

[stealthify]

Interesting take, Frostedbutts.


you also have to consider - "This would be so much better and easier on my tablet" - No one, ever. Desktop operating systems are not meant to be used on a touchscreen interface. With that said, Microsoft is taking the limited number of things that would be more intuitive on a tablet (I can't think of any), and attaching a price tag to it that doesn't fit.

Maybe that's why the first Microsoft tablet PC was a failure.

[Mikes2nd]

I think its more about hybrids and choice... you based you opinion on one tablet? There are 100 different flavors and prices coming soon.

Surface will sell alot. Its an awesome machine. MS isnt playing around with that thing. Its not my cup of soup though, i need a little more laptopish machine and the i5/i7

I will be looking at the Toshiba slider, or the Lenovo Yoga 13( 1000$, i5, 128 gig ssd, 13 inch, 4 gig ram, flipper).

You guys have no clue about this though, this is already being prepped in huge companies upgrade cycles. Along with Windows Phone 8...

Apps? did you seriously say there is no apps in the windows store? did you just lol at their ability to build apps for Windows? kinda killed your cred right there...

We are in a shift away from the traditional desktop and once you get used to it and learn it, its simply better than a desktop.

But you could consider the large live tiles "shortcuts" its that simple. Plenty are screaming and kicking about start buttons... seriously that sucked anyways.

Your average fortune 500 runs a windows network, with exchange... and their upgrade cycle includes Windows 8 now... Your going to say that will fail? Not. You simply don't realize how much of a monopoly MS still has in that area.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6jnrRRAcZc

[Frostedbutts]

This may surprise you, but I own 0 Apple products. Unlike you I am not a drone, and I can criticize Microsoft for their poor choices.


I think its more about hybrids and choice... you based you opinion on one tablet? There are 100 different flavors and prices coming soon

This thread is about the Surface.


Surface will sell alot. Its an awesome machine. MS isnt playing around with that thing. Its not my cup of soup though, i need a little more laptopish machine and the i5/i7

Buy a laptop.


I will be looking at the Toshiba slider, or the Lenovo Yoga 13( 1000$, i5, 128 gig ssd, 13 inch, 4 gig ram, flipper).

My laptop has those specs and cost half that. It can also run Windows programs natively and has been doing so since 2010. Buy a laptop.


You guys have no clue about this though, this is already being prepped in huge companies upgrade cycles. Along with Windows Phone 8...

Okay?


Apps? did you seriously say there is no apps in the windows store? did you just lol at their ability to build apps for Windows? kinda killed your cred right there...

It has less than a fifth of the amount of apps the ipad/android has. This wasn't the point though, why have apps when you can have programs?


We are in a shift away from the traditional desktop and once you get used to it and learn it, its simply better than a desktop.

No. Just no. If you think the keyboard/mouse workstation will be replaced by a tablet you beyond delusional. The traditional sit-in-an-office format will exist for the next several decades or more and you are a fool if you think otherwise. The "on the go" aspect of the "successful businessman" is not only rare, but horrendously overblown. For every one "on the go businessman" there are 100 chimps at their workstations grinding away on a keyboard and mouse - give them a tablet and ask them which one is easier to work on. Not to mention said successful on the go businessman is wishing he didn't have to use his shitty touchscreen interface to do his work in the elevator while he holds his Starbucks in his left hand.


But you could consider the large live tiles "shortcuts" its that simple. Plenty are screaming and kicking about start buttons... seriously that sucked anyways.

what


Your average fortune 500 runs a windows network, with exchange... and their upgrade cycle includes Windows 8 now... Your going to say that will fail? Not. You simply don't realize how much of a monopoly MS still has in that area.

I never said it would fail.

[IPD]

i wish MS all the best on this product. apple needs some stiff competition in all of their markets.

i do with at $499 that they would have bundled a keyboard though. that would absolutely slaughter apple on price.

[NickS VR4]

i wish MS all the best on this product. apple needs some stiff competition in all of their markets.

i do with at $499 that they would have bundled a keyboard though. that would absolutely slaughter apple on price.

I'm with you, I support this device because I want Apple knocked off their high horse.

Personally, I'd rather have a next gen ultra book with touchscreen. Looking for 10hr+ battery life (screen on time), 14" screen that is at least 1080p, and is light. Maybe asking too much, but I can wait.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[ictponder]

I don't think the Windows Marketplace should be a factor here considering that it's something that is continually growing and growing faster than the Android Marketplace did at this point in it's life. With the pricing you can get a 32GB Surface with the keyboard/cover and Office 2013 for the same price as the 32GB iPad. It's still more than I can afford so...

Personally I would rather use a desktop to be productive. This device would be for entertainment only.

[jspecmike]

For the pricing they are asking for the microsoft tablet I would rather spend my money on this.

Razer confirms Windows 8 gaming tablet with integrated gamepad | Ars Technica (http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/10/razer-confirms-windows-8-gaming-tablet-with-integrated-gamepad/)

[Maximal]

I'm honestly thinking about picking this up. I agree with the tablets being a pain to use sometimes which is partially why I don't have one (minus a hacked Nook Color) but with this keyboard detachment it's essentially a laptop.

[jspecmike]

I'm honestly thinking about picking this up. I agree with the tablets being a pain to use sometimes which is partially why I don't have one (minus a hacked Nook Color) but with this keyboard detachment it's essentially a laptop.

But worse specs. My thinking is this tablet close to 500 buxs. You can get a damn laptop almost just as small for the same price with better specs.

[Maximal]

But worse specs. My thinking is this tablet close to 500 buxs. You can get a damn laptop almost just as small for the same price with better specs.

But having a tablet at times is handy so you get the best of both worlds. Plus I really just browse the internet and and e-mail so it's not like I need the powerful specs.

[ictponder]

But worse specs. My thinking is this tablet close to 500 buxs. You can get a damn laptop almost just as small for the same price with better specs.

Why have a separate race car that requires a lot of maintenance when you can drive your reliable daily driver that costs less? I've got a laptop and it never gets used when I can just go sit in front of the desktop that is always on and ready to serve. A tablet is way more convenient for some things even if the specs aren't on par.

[NickS VR4]

Why have a separate race car that requires a lot of maintenance when you can drive your reliable daily driver that costs less? I've got a laptop and it never gets used when I can just go sit in front of the desktop that is always on and ready to serve. A tablet is way more convenient for some things even if the specs aren't on par.

Your in the past using a desktop. Unless you are a gamer. Use my laptop at home, two tablets on the go.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[ictponder]

I'm not a PC gamer, I just prefer to sit at a desk when I'm on the computer. How am I going to have a 30" laptop? My computer runs 24/7 as to stream all my music and movies to my tv. I can't imagine running an i7-3960X w/dual 2gb vid cards & 16Gb of ram on a laptop without needing to sit at a desk. So, how am I living in the past?

[NickS VR4]

I'm not a PC gamer, I just prefer to sit at a desk when I'm on the computer. How am I going to have a 30" laptop? My computer runs 24/7 as to stream all my music and movies to my tv. I can't imagine running an i7-3960X w/dual 2gb vid cards & 16Gb of ram on a laptop without needing to sit at a desk. So, how am I living in the past?

To each his own I guess. I run a 15.6" i7 laptop, 16gb ram with HDMI out when I want to play videos to TV. I just don't like desks, I lounge on the bed, with laptop in lap and watch TV.

Just figured the only reasons for desktops in the past were price and performance for gaming. Prices are low for laptops and performance is good enough for everything but gaming.

But hey, if you prefer sitting at a desk, that's cool.

Oh and I do have a server in the basement for various other things.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[Mikes2nd]

I also think you will see 100$ off the Surface and most Windows 8 stuff during black thursday/christmas. The price wars should start then.

I am curious to see who cracks first.... Acer probably. The low price guy usually do.

[prop7459]

One important thing you guys are not discussing is the fact the Surface RT version is ARM based. This means you native x86 apps wont work. This huge since many consumers are thinking their existing apps will work on the new Windows 8 RT platform. This is also a key factor for devs because it will require them to develop for both architectures. The Pro version of the surface will do fine since the corporate world will embrace the tablet as an alternative to an ultrabook.

[NickS VR4]

Anyone know the plan? Are they treating the programming like the PC (compiled to machine code)? Or are they planning on having apps compiled to bytecode? Like Java/Android.

[Mikes2nd]

Anyone know the plan? Are they treating the programming like the PC (compiled to machine code)? Or are they planning on having apps compiled to bytecode? Like Java/Android.

Win 8 RT all goes throught the API. native code and javascript/html can both talk to it. You don't get direct access though. Browsers have a special API they use. No on gets through the RT API except Microsoft(This is like Apple). RT uses a subset of dot net.

[IPD]

i disagree that you need a desktop to enjoy gaming quality. ever since console-designed 1080p games became the new production glut..there's really no need for a dedicated desktop. i wish there were, but there really isn't.

gaming industry has stagnated more than the mid-summer air around a dumpster full of used baby-diapers located in the gobi desert.

[R/T93]

i disagree that you need a desktop to enjoy gaming quality. ever since console-designed 1080p games became the new production glut..there's really no need for a dedicated desktop. i wish there were, but there really isn't.

gaming industry has stagnated more than the mid-summer air around a dumpster full of used baby-diapers located in the gobi desert.

My desktop is 3.5 years old and still destroys any gaming laptop.

You are wrong.

From the phone.

[IPD]

My desktop is 3.5 years old and still destroys any gaming laptop.

You are wrong.

From the phone.

lol. i seriously doubt that.


and besides, we're not talking about 2560x1600 display: we're talking about 1080p. sure, a game might be a little prettier in wqxga, but if it wasn't programmed for that resolution natively...it's not doing much.

[Mikes2nd]

he isnt kidding, i have seen some brutal laptops out there..

[NickS VR4]

custom gaming laptops - Welcome to Sager Notebooks (http://www.sagernotebook.com/index.php?page=product_info&model_name=NP9370)

[R/T93]

Ok you guys are right. It scores 10% higher than my desktop with a gfx card 4 gens older. I have a 295gtx....

I score 22500. Oc'd it scored 24.4.

3dMark 06.

[Frostedbutts]

An equivalent gaming laptop to a desktop gaming machine is going to be two or three times the price.

As the old saying goes:
>gaming
>laptop
>cheap

pick one.

It's not even a matter of needing a dedicated desktop either - if you are playing any game seriously, you're sitting at a desk... with a mouse and external keyboard hooked up to your latop. And hopefully a monitor too, I can't imagine PC gaming on any screen under 20".

[CoopKill]

That Yoga is badass.

You would be a bit surprised how many tablets are in the field in the construction industry. 80% of my subs show up to bid jobs with them, and the insurance/disaster restoration end of things, justabout all the companies field leads are using them. It gives the ability to sign docs, pay, upload estimates, and forward photo docs instantly. Time is money...

[Mikes2nd]

I'm using windows 8 on a non touch laptop right now... its a little tricky at first. Relearning some stuff was annoying.

I also learned... don't even try the metro browser non touch... switch it over to desktop IE right off the bat. Go to desktop, ie settings and set to open desktop ie always...

[ictponder]

I broke down and pre-ordered the 32Gb w/black touchcover

[Mikes2nd]

I am not into the RT... Have to wait for PRO.

[ictponder]

People waiting for the Surface. Pretty impressive!

https://public.sn2.df.livefilestore.com/y1pEHn7ZW5UsDSefmPyw65qdUmmlzIE5IHBKNtjo8ZrpnibR1x AkQCzBZtn_gBfqkUpuuf5sXDbvXj_zk7UCdmlJg/34.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A6GEtJrCYAAviU4.jpg

https://public.sn2.df.livefilestore.com/y1pPn4dXE0_u2AElcbuL099KckKF8gu_InebT5GIhDmTDfC1wT IfPBRFRXFRv6ZkX0z/dc%20(1)

https://public.sn2.df.livefilestore.com/y1pO7utIwL1IuYHmR59edHB7nHWbzSQrgXPBS2unnBVVFyoWtK Qe_C-wxPOQdHNVDA5/ec.jpg

[Zaroth]

I have been using Win 8 on my desktop at work all week and I like it. Feels very fast. It definitely has it's little quirks, but I'm sure it's pretty awesome in tablet form. My boss's surface is suppose to come in tomorrow so hopefully I will get a chance to check it out.

[IPD]

i still like having my desktop look like i'm on windows 98. i'll rock windows 7 for a decade rather than upgrade to 8 and having to give up my start button.

[Mikes2nd]

the start button... give it up grandpa...

3 years old can handle it, you can too.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dlZgcAacIxU

[IPD]

the start button... give it up grandpa...

3 years old can handle it, you can too.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dlZgcAacIxU

completely and utterly irrelevant. the point isn't ability---it's that i don't want a tablet OS on my gaming laptops. i'm not the only one who feels that IT is going to turn a blind eye towards win 8. and MS's own track record shows that every other OS they release blows chunks. no thanks, i'll stick to win 7. adding new features/layout is fine--but you really shouldn't delete features that your clientele uses frequently--without attempting to ween them off first. if they wanted to kill the "start" button, then they should have done it on win 9 after making it turned off by default on win 8.

p.s.

98 was compelling because it was more polished and capable than 95 (which was also a vast improvement over 3.1). XP was compelling because it was even more polished and was much less vulnerable to security issues than 98 (and 98 wasn't able to run some of the graphics that as it got older). win 7 is compelling because it has x64 native (much better than xp/vista), and can support the latest direct-x & whatnot. win 7 has also barely been out 3 years, so it's got a LOT more life left in it. there is no game, feature or program that compells me to migrate to win 8. every other time i've migrated, i WANTED that migration. at best, win 8 would be "tolerated" by me.

[Mikes2nd]

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 Review - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/embed/4x4MXzIX-kk)