V8VENOM :
What's the point of this? What is Microsoft actually trying to accomplish? Nexus 7 is $199, this device is $499 (or $599) and does what the Nexus 7 can do. The iPad Mini is $399 and has a better interface and isn't as confusing to use. Windows Phone 7 was a disaster, a huge flop.
As far as I can tell, all Microsoft are trying to do is force their desktop users to a mobile interface. I guess, trying to leverage their existing customer base. The biggest flaw in this attempt is that desktop consumers will simply just stay on Windows 7, get a Nexus or iPad and save $200 and the headache of trying out a worky and confusing Windows interface.
I think they're actually trying to learn from Apple's playbook - they understand that there is a large group of people who have cut the cord from a traditional Desktop OS and are using an iPhone and an iPad for their normal day to day note taking, web-browsing, gaming and media streaming.
Though I have not been a fan of Mac OS and the price of their hardware, I have always enjoyed iPods so I like many thought that the iPhone was a nature progression - an iPod w/ phone capabilities. I have purchased several versions of the iPhone and have had a pretty good experience with that type of device. I even decided to try an iPad when the 2nd generation models came out and was surprised by how nice it was to have an instant-boot web capable device which supported all my iPhone applications. As the 3rd generation model was about to release, I sold my iPad2 in order to get a good value from my hardware and use that cash for the new iPad. Well, right around that same time I switched to a ultrabook laptop for work and discovered that with a SSD I was more than happy to use a laptop instead of an iPad.
For people more comfortable with a Windows OS than a Mac OS, a Windows tablet will feel more welcoming and familiar. For people who currently use a Windows Phone, a Windows Tablet will be a natural transition into the tablet market.
As with any type of device, competition is great for consumers - it means that companies have to innovate in order to separate themselves from their competition and they have to work the kinks out of their inventions before bringing them to market in order to keep their customers coming back to the watering whole.
I haven't made the leap to Win8 yet but I have just been waiting for the right combination of price and quality and the Surface Pro just might be that. Here's hoping - I loved my iPad and want something small, portable and capable that won't hurt my wallet