1. DLP Flash Christmas Competition + Writing Marathon 2024!

    Competition topic: Magical New Year!

    Marathon goal? Crank out words!

    Check the marathon thread or competition thread for details.

    Dismiss Notice
  2. Hi there, Guest

    Only registered users can really experience what DLP has to offer. Many forums are only accessible if you have an account. Why don't you register?
    Dismiss Notice
  3. Introducing for your Perusing Pleasure

    New Thread Thursday
    +
    Shit Post Sunday

    READ ME
    Dismiss Notice

Microsoft Surface Tablet

Discussion in 'PC Discussion' started by AnvariX, Jun 19, 2012.

  1. AnvariX

    AnvariX Second Year

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2008
    Messages:
    73
    Location:
    Florida
    Well, if they were available for pre-order yet, I'd already have one locked down!

    Microsoft unveiled their 'Surface' tablets yesterday... altering their long-time stance of relying upon partners to create the hardware for their software. They stole the Surface name from a different Microsoft product, but, hey, it works!

    The coolest feature - by far, in my opinion - is their Apple-style 'SmartCover' that actually has a full keyboard/multi-touch trackpad embedded in it, while the tablet has a kickstand.

    The device itself looks beautiful... Gizmodo and Engadget both raved over the physical build quality and styling.

    There are two different versions of the tablet... one runs on ARM processors with Windows 8 RT, while the other uses traditional Intel x86/64 architecture and Windows 8 Pro.

    This Engdaget article will break it down better than I can, so I won't restate things...

    http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/hands-on-with-microsoft-surface-for-windows-rt/
     
  2. chriar

    chriar Third Year

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2011
    Messages:
    109
    I also am incredibly excited for this. My only concerns are pricing and specs. I'm going to assume hat by competitively priced Microsoft means 600 and 1000 respectively and while 600 for the RT version is expected, for the price of the Pro version i would honestly just buy a touchscreen ultra book, suck as one of ASUS's prototypes that were shown at Computex. My second concern was brought up numerous times in the Engadget editorial, I'm worried about the release date, which is going to be around mid fall for the RT version and 3 months later for the Pro version, which is obscene. I honestly am not sure if they can keep up the hype for that long and while it may seem awesome now, 6-9 months is an incredibly long time in the technology world. My final concern is the specs. Other than the memory, we know nothing about the screen other than the viewing angles, nothing about the RAM! Which I'm not to concerned about, and most importantly the battery. If the battery life is under 9 hours i honestly don't think i would purchase the Surface because battery life is just so important.
    With that said I'm looking forward to hearing more about the Surface and a full review. I will wait till then to revise my opinion.
     
  3. Innomine

    Innomine Alchemist ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2007
    Messages:
    2,280
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    New Zealand
    High Score:
    4,500
    What is the RT version? I'm sure I'm missing something obvious.
     
  4. Starwind

    Starwind Headmaster

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2010
    Messages:
    1,075
    I think the RT has a AMD processor and the other one an Intel, also the RT has a max of 64gb.
     
  5. Solomon

    Solomon Heir

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2007
    Messages:
    2,744
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Here's an image with some specs (click for big.)
    [​IMG]
     
  6. Innomine

    Innomine Alchemist ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2007
    Messages:
    2,280
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    New Zealand
    High Score:
    4,500
    I meant, what is Window's RT. The OS.
     
  7. silverlasso

    silverlasso Minister of Magic DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2007
    Messages:
    1,302
    Location:
    San Francisco
    No, that bit about AMD is entirely wrong.

    Window RT runs on an ARM architecture, which is fundamentally different from the x86 architecture (ARM is designed for low-power applications). This means that it can't run traditional Windows programs made for an Intel architecture.

    As such, you can only run Metro apps (that too probably only stuff from the Windows Store) on a tablet that has Windows RT. And you won't actually be able to buy Windows RT; it will be preloaded by hardware manufacturers.

    If it helps, the "Surface RT" is analogous to the iPad, and the "Surface Pro" is somewhat analogous to the MacBook Air (if it was able to run iOS apps). The Surface RT will run only Metro apps, while the Surface Pro (along with every other Intel-based Windows 8 computer) will be able to run both Metro applications as well as traditional Windows applications.
     
  8. Innomine

    Innomine Alchemist ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2007
    Messages:
    2,280
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    New Zealand
    High Score:
    4,500
    Answers my question perfectly, cheers.
     
Loading...