Microsoft launches ‘Surface’ – would you buy a Windows tablet?

Windolene Surface cleaner. Now there is an opportunity for bringing an old fashioned product into the 21st century. 🙂

So Microsoft copied Apple’s magnetic iPad cover. Now Apple will need to copy Microsoft and incorporate a keyboard. That should appeal to iPad users who want a keyboard but not another bit of kit to carry around.

@rich835
If there was just one portable device which did all your phone, x-box, Pc and tablet can do, would you use it instead of all these devices?

Unlikey m. it would have to be able to morph into different sizes for that idea to work for me!
To be honest I suppose a decent laptop can already do all of these things. It’s the usability factor which dictates what I’ll want to work with depnding on the task. Sometimes you will want to sit at a desk to work on a spreadsheet, I wouldn’t do that on a phone, and maybe not a tablet if it was complex. By the same token I won’t sit at a desk to make a phone call.
Funny thing is though, I prefer playing games on my PC, the XBox has become more of a media centre for me now.

Jonathan, your comments on the XBox and compatibility has never really come up for me, and usually I’d be the first person to moan about compatibility. On a games console it just doesn’t matter. I wouldn’t want to use a wireless controller from the XBox on the PC, and I’ve never had the desire to try and copy the hard drive. Wireless is now built-in on new models, and you can now plug externals drives and pens in too.

I think Apple are the worst offenders for those sort of tricks on the hardware side.

In any case, the choice of hardware and OS should be irrelevant, it’s software compatibility that matters. If they can all crack that, then it will be happy days for everyone 🙂

@rich835
I am interested to see how people view a motherbox style computer, the one personal device that does absolutely everything.
Your comment about sizes is rather intriguing, it seems that a range of peripherals would be necessary and the core would interact with them.
Screen size is irrelevant as we are looking at interactive holo type projected screens, where you will be able to select size to suit you, 4 inch whilst working on the train, 72 inch while watching England thrash Germany 5-1 for the 800th time 🙂
The X box thing, microsoft stripped out a PC and made the X box, [cos we all know nothing is as good as a pc for gaming]. In my house the X box is a media centre, and my son games on his super duper water cooled PC.
Thanks for the input

‘They may have a collectable value in the future, so buy one check it works, keep it in it’s original box and in 100 years your grandchildren may be able to sell it for a few litres of oxygen’.
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Advice in old age is foolish; for what can be more absurd than to increase our provisions for the road the nearer we approach to our journey’s end.

Marcus Tullius Cicero

There you are, m. Cleverer than Microsoft, except that now you have published your suggestion your claim to the name is invalid.

That could explain why Bill Gates is so much more successful than I.

Where on earth do you get the idea that Windows is open, it is totally proprietary and no part of it is open at all. Microsoft guard the code with an iron fist and will not let any part of it become open source.

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Agreed, I intend to get a second-hand PC, install UBANTU, learn to use it with all its ramifications & wean myself off Microsoft Corp.

Microsoft is getting increasingly greedy, requiring you to pay all the time for programmes that are now free on-line with open source applications.

For goodness sake. I’m sure that Rich is well aware that Microsoft is protective of its products.

I assume that his comment is in the context of the widespread availability of Windows-related software and hardware produced by other companies.

David

Rich has provided a prompt and topical introduction. It is there for contributors to discuss, correct and contribute information, but personal criticism is uncalled for.

Why would I want to have a tablet? My wireless netbook does everything I require.
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I guess its a case of ‘Horses For Courses, it depends on you lifestyle, career, ‘Image’, ‘Must Have’ ‘Latest’, etc, etc!

Regards,

Finsburyparker.

I did not want a tablet until I had spent some time using iPads belonging to friends and learning the strengths and limitations. As with many things, some people can only see the advantages and others are totally opposed to tablets. You are right that it’s down to the individual, Finsbury.

I don’t use my tablet nearly as much as most people, but it is really useful and convenient when travelling and on holiday and doing things that most people would use a smartphone for.

I am really looking forward to trying the new Windows tablet, even though I don’t want one. Someone might like to produce a cover incorporating solar PV to keep the battery charged when it is not in use.

Nein
I mean No

would be useful if there was

‘Not for me either – it may look like a tablet but under the covers it will be just another Windows computer, with all the frustrations which that implies’.
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I’ll drink to that!”

‘I think by the time it’s available – the world will have moved on’!

The world will still be here,…But, will we have moved on??

Judging by the repetitive mistakes we are making, I doubt it!

But, as I think what you are inferring, yes, possibly the design of the batteries or the charging methods will have changed,…..Maybe!

The iPad Camera Connection Kit makes it easy to transfer images from a camera using a USB lead or from an SD card. It’s quick and convenient.

Transferring images from a USB drive is a little more complicated but there is plenty of simple advice on websites. This includes putting the files in a folder named DCIM and avoiding using a USB drive that takes a lot of power.