Microsoft's "Surface"

[LongBlade]

OK, let's hope the device is better than the name.

Then again, it's better than "iPad."

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/06/18/microsoft-unveils-urface-tablet/

[Staggerwing]

Wasn't 'Surface' the same name they gave their $10,000 proof-of-concept-touch-screen-built-into-the-tabletop computer two or three years ago?

[LongBlade]

Dunno. Maybe.

[meadbelly]

I'm curious if they are going to go the Apple / Amazon route and subsidize the Surface. For someone who will be shopping for a new Win8 portable device, I am thoroughly in support of that notion. They probably won't decide based on that, tho. Silly non-solipsarians.

I suspect not -- it might irritate win8 hardware mfgs/partners like Asus, MSI, Lenovo, HP, Dell, etc.


Edited to add that a MSFT employee with no insider knowledge of Surface suspects it will be subsidized to an ipadish level, and this will prolly not irritate hardware partners as they a) get to make the Surface hardware, and b) MSFT is leaving the traditional pc/laptop/ultrabook market to them. Not sure how much I believe the hardware mfgs are thrilled with that traditional market. (MSFT buddy also hates the name.)

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

OK, let's hope the device is better than the name.

Then again, it's better than "iPad."

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/06/18/microsoft-unveils-urface-tablet/

And iPad is better than iWipe

[meadbelly]

^Which are both better than "iMtooSexyforMySurface", "iPeripatetic", or "Cletus."

[meadbelly]

Wasn't 'Surface' the same name they gave their $10,000 proof-of-concept-touch-screen-built-into-the-tabletop computer two or three years ago?

Staggerwing is correct!:

"Panos Panay, general manager of Microsoft Surface, said the name of Surface comes from idea of the hardware fading into the background so that the software can shine.

It's also the name of a table-size device the company developed and markets in which users interact with content on a big, touch-sensitive screen."

from

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2018468576_microsoftsurface19.html

[OJsDad]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but as the specs stand now, there is no 3g/4g option.  I'll be interested to see if MS adds this feature next year and if the wireless providers pick it up.

[W8taminute]

I agree that the name is a little bit effeminate, but the device itself looks promising.  As an iPad owner I'm curious to see what MS entry to the tablet market is.  I'm not really impressed with Samsungs devices so let's see.

Good point OJsDad but maybe MS is playing it safe an only offering WiFi versions to see if this product is going to do well?

[OJsDad]

Good point OJsDad but maybe MS is playing it safe an only offering WiFi versions to see if this product is going to do well?

Of course, with the high cost and low caps that the wireless telco call plans and the growing number of free hotspots, there may not really be a need to have a 3g/4g capability.  And if you really need it, you can get a USB card and plug it in.

[Centurion40]

I like a keyboard.