MICROSOFT'S AWESOME SURFACE TABLET RUNNING WINDOWS 8 OS HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A LEGITIMATE IPAD-KILLER

In unveiling its first piece of computer hardware ever yesterday, Microsoft signaled that it was ready to strut its stuff against longtime rival Apple for the booming tablet market. The new device, dubbed Surface, is expected to be available at an unspecified-but-competitive price when the highly touted Windows 8 comes to market later this year, Microsoft announced at a press conference in Los Angeles that had a sense of mystery and buzz about it that’s usually associated with the crowd from Cupertino. 

 

CEO Steve Ballmer said that unlike the iPad, the Surface has a detachable cover/touch keyboard for word processors and numbers crunchers, as well as a built-in kickstand for viewing videos. Ballmer, in fact, claimed that the device is “completely new and different” and “a whole new family of computing devices.”  Ballmer said.

“We wanted to give Windows 8 its own companion hardware innovation.”

At the same time, Microsoft’s focus apparently will remain on the eighth major iteration of Windows, which Balmer made clear remains the “heart and soul of Microsoft,” according to Michael A. Prospero, who live-blogged in Laptop.

Microsoft Surface tablet computer with computer and screen stand (Click Image To Enlarge)

Ballmer said.  

“It was very important to have the hardware fade into the background with this product and have Windows rise to the surface.”

The device will be about the same weight and thickness as an iPad but has a 10.6-inch screen compared to the iPad’s 9.7-inch high-res “retina display.” It sports cameras front and back, as does the iPad, but also has a USB port and connects physically to printers. Among the unanswered questions is whether it will use cellular networks or just connect to cyberspace via wi-fi.

Microsoft Surfact tablet computer showing reverse side of screen with stand expanded (Click Image To Enlarge)

Windows president Steven Sinofsky said,

“The Surface is a tablet that’s a great PC … a PC that’s a great tablet.”

Shira Ovide pointed out in the Wall Street Journal.  

“Ballmer and other Microsoft executives repeatedly use the words ‘no compromises’ to describe the tablet computers they envision running Windows 8 and Windows RT -- which means that users will be able to use work-oriented tools like Microsoft Word and Excel programs, not just be used for watching movies and surfing the Web.” 

Microsoft's Surface tablet computer comes with keyboards in five awesome pastel colors (Click Image To Enlarge)

That could be a big advantage, particularly in the business market where Microsoft has long enjoyed a substantial lead over its surging rival -- provided Apple doesn’t respond in kind.  On the other hand, it faces quite a challenge catching up with the more than 500,000 apps already for sale in Apple’s App Store, as well as its tight relationship with developers, which rivals Microsoft’s relationship with PC software engineers.

Apple’s, points out the Financial Times’ Matthew Garrahan,

“That’s why Microsoft is emphasizing the hardware innovations that it hopes will rival Apple, rather than show off any of the apps or content partnerships that many analysts believe it will need if it is to make the Surface a success.”

Microsoft's Surface tablet side view showing just how thin the keyboard is (Click Image To Enlarge)

IDC analyst Al Hilwa sees the combination of PC and tablet features as a "true converged" device, writes Ovide,

"A Swiss Army knife of a tablet?" 

Nick Wingfield writing in the New York Times said.  

“With its new tablet, Microsoft will effectively be competing directly with its biggest customers –- the PC makers who have shipped with Windows installed for decades."

When asked whether Surface would damage those ties, Sinofsky gently pushed a reporter in the direction of a stand of Surface tablets and said,

"Go learn something."

In an interview after the announcement, Ballmer was asked to describe how Microsoft’s partners felt about its latest moves.   Bloomberg Businessweek’s Ashlee Vance wrote .

“Ballmer responded that he had used very precise language on stage and would not go beyond that.”

Adds Vance (parenthetically):

“He said nothing on stage that I recall as to how they felt.”

The reaction to Surface in the blogosphere appears to be mostly positive.  Computerworld’s Richi Jennings writes,

“Wow, people actually like something new from Microsoft.”  

Jennings, who “curates” the observations of observers such as PC World’s Melissa J. Perenson, who observed: 

“The big question is, does it stand up to the hype? The answer...is yes.”

Reuters’“Breakingviews” columnist Robert Cyran writes that,  

“Microsoft has managed to pull off a welcome surprise.”

But the heading on his piece aptly sums up the rest of the commentary:

“Microsoft Tablet Suffers From Lack Of Greatness.”

He concludes:

“To catch up, good may not be enough.”

But what choice does it have?

The AP’s Ryan Nakashima in a story carried by the San Jose Mercury News writes.  

"Microsoft’s broadside against the iPad is a dramatic step to ensure that its Windows software plays a major role in the increasingly important mobile computing market.” 

Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi tells Nakashima.

"They are saying it's a different world now and are trying to put the sexy back into the Microsoft brand." 

Sexy? Hmmm. When it comes to what has made it attractive over the years, I think most analysts would say that Microsoft has displayed a pleasant personality. But all dolled up in sleek piece of compatible hardware, Windows 8 indeed may wind up turning some heads. 

COMMENTARY:    For the first time since the original iPad was introduced in 2010, I actually feel confident that Microsoft has a potential winner on its hands with the Surface tablet. The Surface tablet has a lot of pluses going for it.  

• The Surface tablet provides the laptop processing power, additional storage capability, external ports and screen closer to that of a full-size laptop.   
• The Surface tablet has access to a library of 100,000+ apps which is not shabby when compared to the iPad. 
• The Surfact tablet is Windows through-and-through so it supports Microsoft Office and enterprise-wide applications software, this will please many loyal Windows users and IT professionals.
• The Windows 8 OS' user-interface is a gamechanger because its mosaic appearance works more like a webpage than the Windows desktop of Windows 7.  In a blog post dated September 14, 2012, I profiled the new Microsoft Windows 8 operating system and was just dazzled with what it can do.  Check out the video below:       

 

Microsoft finally understands why product design and technology innovation are so important.  If you want to "make a dent in the universe," you have to make a statement, and the Surface is just awesome.    

I think the Microsoft designers and engineers did a great job of designing a tablet that is absolutely dazzling when compared to the iPad.  This is a scary thought, but the spectacular design of the Microsoft Surface tablet is what I thought the next iPad would look like.  Microsoft beat the Apple design team to the punch.   The awesome pastel colors of the Surface cover/keyboard really sets this tablet apart from the competition.  The VaporMG materials used in the body casing are definitely killer.  If Windows 8 OS can bootup quickly, run smoothly without any kinks or bugs, I think Microsoft can make a dent in the Universe and in the process put a huge dent in the iPads' market share.  

The Microsoft Surface Windows RT and Windows Pro are  larger tablets.   The screens measure in at 10.6-inches (with what's described to be full HD resolutions in Microsoft's press materials).  The Surface twins are also much heavier than the iPad, about 1.5 for the Windows RT version vs. 1.44 pounds for Apple's iPad.  The Windows 8 Pro model is nearly 2 pounds. 

Some other points of difference include storage size: the Surface with Window Pro can include a 128GB hard drive. Since that more robustly equipped model is designed to have a more powerful, laptop-compatible processor, the added storage could be a welcome addition. 

Of course, that would depend on how much it costs to take a Surface tablet home, and we've got no word on that yet. For those of you already stoked for the Surface, here's how Microsoft's new tablets stand up against the iPad 3.

iPad 3 vs Surface (Windows RT) vs Surface (Windows Pro)

Conceived, designed and engineered entirely by Microsoft employees, and building on the company’s 30-year history manufacturing hardware, Surface represents a unique vision for the seamless expression of entertainment and creativity. Extensive investment in industrial design and real user experience includes the following highlights:

• Software takes center stage: Surface sports a full-sized USB port and a 16:9 aspect ratio – the industry standard for HD. It has edges angled at 22 degrees, a natural position for the PC at rest or in active use, letting the hardware fade into the background and the software stand out.
• VaporMg: The casing of Surface is created using a unique approach called VaporMg (pronounced Vapor-Mag), a combination of material selection and process to mold metal and deposit particles that creates a finish akin to a luxury watch. Starting with magnesium, parts can be molded as thin as .65 mm, thinner than the typical credit card, to create a product that is thin, light and rigid/strong.
• Integrated Kickstand: The unique VaporMg approach also enables a built-in kickstand that lets you transition Surface from active use to passive consumption – watching a movie or even using the HD front- or rear-facing video cameras. The kickstand is there when needed, and disappears when not in use, with no extra weight or thickness.
• Touch Cover: The 3 mm Touch Cover represents a step forward in human-computer interface. Using a unique pressure-sensitive technology, Touch Cover senses keystrokes as gestures, enabling you to touch type significantly faster than with an on-screen keyboard. It will be available in a selection of vibrant colors. Touch Cover clicks into Surface via a built-in magnetic connector, forming a natural spine like you find on a book, and works as a protective cover. You can also click in a 5 mm-thin Type Cover that adds moving keys for a more traditional typing feel.

Surface for Windows RT will release with the general availability of Windows 8, and the Windows 8 Pro model will be available about 90 days later. Both will be sold in the Microsoft Store locations in the U.S. and available through select online Microsoft Stores.

I can't remember which blog post I said this, but the tablet wars are not over by a long shot.  They are just beginning.  

Courtesy of an article dated June 19, 2012 appearing in MediaPost Publications Marketing Daily and an article dated June 18, 2012 appearing in Fast Company and an article dated June 19, 2012 appearing in Fox News

Comments

[JGL]

I have always been a PC user, never have tried out a Mac but I am getting closer to getting one. Just wish the price of a Mac was cheap like that of a PC./

[Jimmy John]

This is a good place for the time spent a. I just found your blog informative and wanted to say I really enjoyed reading your messages.

[Pincraft12s]

Excellent information, this is exactly what I needed. Thanks. Keep up the good work! -thanks for the information i will go and take a look for it. -

[Denver pool contractor]

The links may point to the AppStore home pages, but the mobile apps are actually available, for iOS and Android...

[iphone psd]

I am not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for magnificent information I was looking for this information for my mission.

[Hotcandy]

MICROSOFT'S AWESOME SURFACE TABLET RUNNING WINDOWS 8 OS,The device will be about the same weight and thickness as an iPad but has a 10.6-inch screen compared to the iPad’s 9.7-inch high-res “retina display.” It sports cameras front and back, as does the iPad, but also has a USB port and connects physically to printers.