Apple CEO Likens Microsoft Surface to a Flying Car

[xaephod]

The surface is a great but unoriginal idea. I think Microsoft will dent Apple to say the lease. With Apple, you have their Ipad with IOS and their computers with OSX. They are not the same and programs aren't cross-compatible. Now you have the Surface, with complete compatibility with your PC at home, regardless of which version of Windows you use. I think Microsoft has a one-up on Apple.

 

[bllue]

What I love is that for the most part the majority of the issues are ones that will most likely go away within months (by patches and all that) and if this version sells well, there's no doubt we can expect a more vastly superior Surface. I haven't played with one yet but what I've heard in reviews has exceeded my expectations...it's worth checking it out

 

[Guest]

Even if your competitor product seem to be poor design, try it anyway and see the flaws before dissing it.

 

[zulutech]

Apple CEO is scared and he's also just trying to stop isheep from moving.

 

[MarioJP]

Apple is feeling hurt lol. I'll take my flying car. Thanks Tim.. Great analogy

 

[dauntekong]

The Surface its too high tech for him... he's not smart enough to use it.

 

[tokencode]

The only thing compromised and confusing is Tim Cook.

 

[damianrobertjones]

Windows MCE free for a limited time

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/feature-packs

 

[killerclick]

You guys do know that there are flying cars, have been since the 1950s, and the reason they didn't gain any traction is that it's a crap useless concept? Not saying that tablet/laptop hybrids are as stupid, but Microsoft actually tried that in 2002 and it failed spectacularly.

 

[Usersname]

[citation][nom]AllComputersArePlasticBoxes[/nom]No first-hand experience = no valid opinion = total bias = bullshit.[/citation] Just like what one finds loads of hereabouts.

 

[cscott_it]

[citation][nom]runswithbeer[/nom]Can't carry a tablet in my pocket. I'll take my Samsung phone and my trusty Dell D630. My d630 cost $200 refurbed. Parts are cheap. Runs W7. I'm a Systems Dude with (read em) 40 years experience. When they come up with a 3gz quad core 4GB 500GBSD 14" tablet that runs W8 for under $500 I'll buy one. Oh one more thing . A 14" screen means 14" not a 2" wide bezel. Looks like my next tablet will be a 5.5" Samsung phone.[/citation]

You want that but run the old Dell 620?
Don't get wrong, eventually I'm sure it will happen - but it's like saying "I won't buy a fancy car unless it's a Mercedes that gets 30 mpg and has at least 400 horsepower and costs $20,000 loaded off the lot without haggling about the price"

Don't misunderstand me, there is nothing wrong with what you want, I just thought it was kind of funny. By the time it's that price, there will be a more expensive device that trumps it. Having been in the field for 40 years, you know how this game is played.

 

[abbadon_34]

flying car! count me in!

 

[Azimuth01]

really? This guy is comparing a $500 dollar handheld production device to a $500,000 prototype that can fly????

I was not going to buy a surface before, but this guy seams to think it's worthy of conversation in the same breath as a flying car, so I might have to give it another look.

 

[jaquith]

Despite every single Surface variant selling out during its pre-order stages in several regions including the U.S. and UK...

Frankly, those who purchased Windows RT and not Windows RT Pro - what the hell were you thinking??

Comparisons - http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows8/microsoft-surface-rt-pro-specifications-comparison-144545

I like Apple, but I am intrigued by the Microsoft Surface RT Pro. However, there's no way I'd consider getting the Microsoft Surface without x86 support nor one that lacks GPS, I can live without mobile broadband with tethering. I can just see it now my Microsoft Surface RT Pro tethered to my iPhone - how funny. Also, holly crap those with 32GB - 1/3~1/2 is just for the frigging OS - WTH?!

 

[alextheblue]

[citation][nom]jaquith[/nom]Frankly, those who purchased Windows RT and not Windows RT Pro - what the hell were you thinking?? Comparisons - http://www.winsupersite.com/articl [...] son-144545 I like Apple, but I am intrigued by the Microsoft Surface RT Pro. However, there's no way I'd consider getting the Microsoft Surface without x86 support nor one that lacks GPS, I can live without mobile broadband with tethering. I can just see it now my Microsoft Surface RT Pro tethered to my iPhone - how funny. Also, holly crap those with 32GB - 1/3~1/2 is just for the frigging OS - WTH?![/citation]You sound like a typical ignorant iBoy. First of all, it is just Surface Pro - no RT, and it runs Windows 8. The non-Pro Surface is the ARM version running Windows RT. Second, if they had no ARM variant there would be no affordable x86 ones. Just the EXISTENCE of Windows RT has forced Intel to drastically drop prices on their entry level ULV chips. This has been discussed before.

But even the Windows RT tablets (like Surface) have some advantages too. They will be good for anyone that doesn't need legacy software. They will be getting a lot of cross-platform software that runs on WP8, Win8, and WinRT. They cost less and they consume less power than x86 models. WinRT also gets built-in Office for FREE. Win8 does not. If you need x86, great. Many people don't buy a tablet for legacy x86 software. So as to what they are thinking... they're probably thinking they have everything they need. Browser, Office, Mail, Messenging, Skype, Facebook, etc. If you need more, there are apps - with more and more rolling in rapidly since its easy to make software cross-platform.

Then you say the OS alone eats up 1/3 - 1/2 of 32GB? No. The OS PLUS all the preinstalled software+drivers, including a nice Office suite, uses roughly 12GB. More importantly if you compare USABLE SPACE to a same-price iPad, the Surface has more room. But unlike the iPad, you can use a microSDXC up to 64GB for storing music/movies/etc. Finally... GPS? Really, you're going to use your 10" tablet for GPS? Oh yeah I can really see myself hanging my tablet off the dash of my car, instead of just sticking my phone in a mount and using the phone's GPS. Or a dedicated GPS unit with free lifetime maps. :/

 

[alextheblue]

[citation][nom]ivanto[/nom]Time will settle and show us the winner. I eager to try Surface, hopefully BestBuy or Futureshop have it in stock today.-IvanTO[/citation]Well, actually they're not going to sell Surface in retail stores, except for Microsoft stores. You can however order it directly from MS online and I believe they do free shipping. I'm not sure if this is part of some agreement with the OEMs like Asus, Lenovo, Samsung, et al... but it does give these other tablets a fighting chance.

I'll give Asus credit, when they saw the base price of Surface at $499, and $599 for Surface with the touch pad, they made their $599 bundle include the keyboard dock. Surface is the nicer of the two, but the Asus keyboard dock almost doubles battery life! So if you really need amazing battery life, the Asus model is worth a look.

 

[sna]

I dont like the surface ... the back stand can break. big mistake.

as for Apple , I think they should release an Ipad Pro with full MAC OS X , touch enabled , and it is there and ready in ios.

the hardware of the Surface pro , is similar to any i7/i5 notebook Apple already has.

so I think whenever Apple will feel really threaten , they will launch their own full ipad. and they have the advantage of the Retina Display.

 

[Guest]

Oh Tim, Tim, Tim ... I know you used the analogy of cars, but here is a little sport plane that FLOATS and is about the coolest thing you'll ever see apart from the gadgets in a 007 movie. Saw a full-scale proto at Oshkosh in 2010. And they ARE nearing production ...

http://www.iconaircraft.com/

 

[Guest]

where are all the Apple fanbois ? Is no one gonna defend that Tim Cock?

 

[chewy1963]

[citation][nom]sagato00[/nom]i have update my win 7 cant complain now saveing to buy me a 23 multitouch screen to go with it and i will buy my wife awindows slate so she can use it to her work sence she is a teach and did not whant ipad for working[/citation]

Wow man, punctuation: it makes a message readable!

 

[lradunovic77]

Interesting device, terrible OS.

 

[jaquith]

You sound like a typical ignorant iBoy. First of all, it is just Surface Pro - no RT, and it runs Windows 8. The non-Pro Surface is the ARM version running Windows RT. Second, if they had no ARM variant there would be no affordable x86 ones. Just the EXISTENCE of Windows RT has forced Intel to drastically drop prices on their entry level ULV chips. This has been discussed before.

You sound like a typical aHoleBoy or mOron. WTH - no $hit Sherlock, the ARM (nVidia Tegra 3 T30) is crap, that's my point. Worst it cannot play HD without dropping frames - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=tmSKtJR7fs4#t=1205s So I don't think Intel has anything to worry about here. Spending an extra $100 doesn't concern me.

But even the Windows RT tablets (like Surface) have some advantages too. They will be good for anyone that doesn't need legacy software. They will be getting a lot of cross-platform software that runs on WP8, Win8, and WinRT. They cost less and they consume less power than x86 models. WinRT also gets built-in Office for FREE. Win8 does not. If you need x86, great. Many people don't buy a tablet for legacy x86 software. So as to what they are thinking... they're probably thinking they have everything they need. Browser, Office, Mail, Messenging, Skype, Facebook, etc. If you need more, there are apps - with more and more rolling in rapidly since its easy to make software cross-platform.

Legacy ... as in any x86 software?! BTW - last I looked there's no Facebook/Skype RT versions. In the end, I see very little advantages to Surface, and it's essentially a small Ultrabook with a detachable keyboard.

Then you say the OS alone eats up 1/3 - 1/2 of 32GB? No. The OS PLUS all the preinstalled software+drivers, including a nice Office suite, uses roughly 12GB. More importantly if you compare USABLE SPACE to a same-price iPad, the Surface has more room. But unlike the iPad, you can use a microSDXC up to 64GB for storing music/movies/etc. Finally... GPS? Really, you're going to use your 10" tablet for GPS? Oh yeah I can really see myself hanging my tablet off the dash of my car, instead of just sticking my phone in a mount and using the phone's GPS. Or a dedicated GPS unit with free lifetime maps. :/

Okay, [strike]OS[/strike] Preinstalled Bloat + Office Preview is actually 8GB/24.9GB (formatted loss) = 33% (1/3 used or 17GB free for all of your Apps and data - media). MicroSD - hmm I get both sides, but other than transfers and temporary it's not my idea of good storage, simply pay for more storage on either platform, and just know you're getting shafted. Installing Apps on a MicroSD is cRaZy, sure store some music (or better online streaming) or Movies (or better online streaming).

GPS, damn straight I want a frigging GPS. Think about it for a minute, I'm looking for local 'stuff' - Shopping, Places, Weather, you name it -- with GPS enhanced searches you find 'your' stuff and not stuff 3000+ miles away. The entire point of these devices is mobility -- right?? -- no GPS is a Microsoft major F'up and mistake. The ASUS VivoTab RT includes a GPS, but is bigger.

Bottom-line, there's good things, bad things, and a couple things that make no sense to me. I get it's a new gadget and some folks will buy any mEdiocre crap, I'm not one of them. Fix the problems and yep - Add to Cart.

 

[darkavenger123]

Wow...a flying car....i want one!

 

[jaksun5]

I used it a little and can't see any problems with it

 

[rexter]

"I suppose you could design a car that flies and floats, but I don't think it would do those things very well,"

Sounds like an awesome machine, I want one. Next thread I'll be talking about my James Bond gadget made by Microsoft. hehehe!

Mr. Tim Cook is feeling the heat now, unfortunately, iPad is not as nice as the MS surface. No snap/latch on keyboard and acts like a cover (Whoever invented this should patent it now or apple will) ; you can have it in many colours and not just black or white, comes with a clever stand that the iPad does not and free Microsoft office that 90 percent of PC users have. I can feel those people on the other side of the fence raising their eye brow. Now I definitely want one.