It has been so long since a great functioning product failed and guess what? A very large $150 price cut !
Reasons is that apparently Microsoft build too much Surface RT and their crappy marketing team strikes back. The last time it happens was when HP Touchpad screw up so bad they had to shut down totally but not for Microsoft, bulldozing all the way even though they knew that Ipad is currently the king of tablets. In fact, there were rumors that they are building second generation of Surface.
Many had tried and still trying, not even the mighty Nexus can
compete with Ipad (not mini). The 10 inch screen was just nice for game playing
and media consumption The closest
manufacturer is Samsung Galaxy tablets, however even after 2-3 years of the
first galaxy tablet, the market share is still far away unlike in mobile
phones.
What makes Microsoft thinks that Surface will succeed?
Operating system (OS)
Surface RT runs on Windows RT . Most people reasoned that Windows RT
cant run on full version or back version software like Windows 8 but we need to
remember Surface RT is a tablet. Being a tablet, a software is called an apps
which can only be installed using an exclusive apps store. We do this all this
with other tablets so i don't see any problem.
Advantage of Windows RT is that there is a free versions of familiar Microsoft
Office Home and Student 2013 RT (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and One Note).
With RT , Microsoft hopes that people will
accept Surface as an alternative to Android and IOS however they miscalculated
the very basic thing that people want in their tablets. Samsung and other
manufacturers concentrate so much in the aspects of the hardware, but the
things that makes a tablet works is the ease use.
There is a significant difference between the
expectation of the experience. In smartphone, we use them for communication so
we don’t mind them to be loaded with apps and functions.
For tablets, we use it more often for two
main purposes, One of them is the media consumption such as online news, videos
and gaming. Another one is for work. Unfortunately for Microsoft, now it is the
age of Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus. That is why people will always prefer
tablets which has main function as media tools with some working capabilities.
However Microsoft has entered the market with
a great products but wrong timing and certainly wrong marketing. It should be
aimed at working adult s or with more elements of their famous XBOX.
Build Quality
The Surface was built using VaporMg,
molten magnesium Alloy casing for durability, sleek ,ultra thin and 3 times
lighter than aluminium (Ipad used Aluminium) . Therefore there was compliments
from the critics about the build quality, a premium feel compared to the
plastic feel of a Samsung Galaxy tab.
Connectivity
Like all tablets, there are various storages
sizes and they include also the possibility of a MicroSDXC card slot. Surface
also equipped with WIFI , Bluetooth and USB slots for file transfer. For
software, they included the Windows Mail and Messaging; SkyDrive;
Internet Explorer 10; Bing; Xbox Music, Video, and Games.
Should you buy one?
Yes if you are working in a mobile environment, using Windows
OS like 90% of computer users (excluding tablets) and looking for a solid build
tablet that does not feel like cheap plastics. With the optional keyboard case,
Surface can be great to access your work anywhere, anytime. A great tablet to
have as a compliment to your working PC.
Specifications
All the usual high end specs. All the details you need from Microsoft!
| Specifications | Features |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows RT; Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote). Works exclusively with apps available in the Windows Store. |
| Design | 10.81 x 6.77 x 0.37in |
| 1.5lbs | |
| VaporMg casing | |
| Volume and Power buttons | |
| Storage | 32GB*, 64GB |
| Display | 10.6" ClearType HD Display |
| 1366x768 pixels | |
| 16:9 (widescreen) | |
| 5-point multi-touch | |
| CPU | Quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 |
| 2GB RAM | |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) |
| Bluetooth 4.0 technology | |
| Battery | 31.5 W-h |
| Cameras and A/V | Two 720p HD LifeCams, front- and rear-facing |
| Two microphones, | |
| Stereo speakers | |
| Ports | Full-size USB 2.0 |
| microSDXC card slot | |
| Headset jack | |
| HD video out port | |
| Cover port | |
| Sensors | Ambient light sensor |
| Accelerometer | |
| Gyroscope | |
| Compass | |
| Power Supply | 24W power supply |
| Warranty | 1-year limited hardware warranty |
| Apps (included) | Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT1 (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote); Windows Mail and Messaging; SkyDrive; Internet Explorer 10; Bing; Xbox Music, Video, and Games. |
