Report: Microsoft Kept Surface a Secret from Partners

[dameon51]

To all the people who were bashing Metro before... I hope you finally "get" it now. If you have Metro + a traditional desktop running on a piece of hardware like this you have a stellar product. Content production and consumption on one device.

 

[Guest]

@dameon51 RE: "To all the people who were bashing Metro before... I hope you finally "get" it now. If you have Metro + a traditional desktop running on a piece of hardware like this you have a stellar product. Content production and consumption on one device. "

Yes that's somewhat true but this device is going to be pretty expensive to start. (I know it's capable like a pc/is one in the pros case)

But Metro "IS still horrible on non touch screen devices!!!" Devices still being used by many. With no start menu you have to fumble though the mess that is metro. Also metro apps are really dumb-ed down. you have less power when developing them. SO yes it's nice for touch screen devices but some need a dent laptop/desktop os.

 

[TEAMSWITCHER]

[citation][nom]tleavit[/nom]The Ipad is a failure in the buienss market with the exceptions of people who have enough money to want a large table to check their email and browse the web on (glorified PDA for business). [/citation]

Nice try! My company (a former Microsoft only software shop) just replaced all developer Dell Workstations with Macs to create vertical market applications exclusively for the iPad. Windows 8 Metro development isn't even in our two year plan. We can't justify starting development for a platform that has zero established market share. Plans could change next year when we know more about Win 8, but right now were targeting the iPad first.

 

[ceteras]

This is the only thing that speaks volumes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QRWa68MtLc .
If not even in the year of 2012 Microsoft cannot bring a stable product to a demo, to me, they blew it.

 

[Guest]

Using metro and I absolutely love it. So much cleaner and less cluttered and while that's not for everyone, simpler is better for most. I'll buy a Surface i5 in a minute. My old dell is near end of life and weighs a ton. From VS2012 to Windows Phone 7, I think MS has made a lot of improvements as a result of Apple putting the pressure on. Glad to see they're competing. As for the fumbled demo, yeah that was too bad. And as they learned in the Windows Mobile phone debacle, if you can't control the experience, you can't compete with Apple. That's why they made the Xbox, invested in Nokia and it's why they're making this tablet. I seriously hope they kick some serious butt in the 2 year time frame. It'll take that long, for sure.

 

[twelch82]

[citation][nom]dameon51[/nom]To all the people who were bashing Metro before... I hope you finally "get" it now. If you have Metro + a traditional desktop running on a piece of hardware like this you have a stellar product. Content production and consumption on one device.[/citation]

I "get it" for tablets. A tablet will never be my primary computing device though. To use the keyboard with it, having a solid desk for the stand is almost a requirement. If I have a solid desk, why bother with a tiny 10" screen and cramped keyboard?

This is a complementary device - with pen support, a smart notepad to go along with your existing desktop computer. You put Office with OneNote on it, and sync documents and notes between your workstation and your tablet. Then if you need to go to a meeting, show someone what you're talking about, etc., the tablet aids in that.

It's not a replacement for the desktop though, which is why I'm totally fine with Metro for the tablet, but I do not want it as a desktop interface.