Steve Ballmer Explains The Need for Surface

[11796pcs]

If Microsoft feels the need to make its own tablet it's not because OEMs can't deliver, it's either that the product Microsoft wants won't be successful in the market or that Microsoft isn't communicating properly with OEMs.

 

[TheSpiral01]

Why wont this guy just go away already?

 

[tntom]

I think the great majority of people on this site buy Windows, not Windows PCs since we all assemble our own.
I think it was a mistake to implement the surface. First its just not a very good product as a lot more is expected of anything PC verse a console. The typical Microsoft manufacturers tend to produce cheap feeling devices and it shows in the Surface like it showed in the XBox360.
I think the bigger mistake Microsoft made was making Windows RT. As an OS exclusive to ARM based tablets, it has very little market presence and no real application development as a result. x86 based tablets on the other hand have a huge array of programs to install. If they just used the Windows Phone platform as an ARM based OS. It would have been fine as the developer only need to make 1 application to cover Windows ARM.
There is a lot of redundant programing involved in the current generation of Windows OSes, so it will be nice when that redundancy is done away with. When programming Windows 8 applications, you need to create a version for Core Window and Desktop. When creating something for ARM you need to create something for the phone and something else for the Tablet. A lot of that can be done away with.

I agree with your 2nd and 3rd statements but disagree with the 1st. The major issue is lack of apps from lack of market and mind share. The best thing that could happen for OEM partners is for Surface to be successful. Without it interest in the W8 mobile platforms as a whole wanes. Having MS push a flagship that is not profitable to partners cause people to formulate opinions based on the flagship product thus elevating the system as a whole. Much like Google does with Nexus and BMW does with the $100K M5.

 

[therogerwilco]

Agreed, I've only ever bought Windows once. That was because I had an extra pc. Otherwise my Surface Pro is going to be my goto device for anything non-gaming.No tablet compares, no laptop compares, no ultrabook compares. The Apple Ipad? It's not a professional work device, it's a simple entertainment device. Also, to those who say Microsoft only made the Surface to make money? What, is Apple or Google paying you to use their devices? Apple and Google are not making any money is what you're saying? I've been waiting years for Microsoft to make a tablet. But the hopes I had, have been fulfilled. They didn't make a tablet, they made a 'replace anything in your household that isn't a gaming machine'. Apple and Google don't come anywhere close to claiming that title.

 

[JD88]

Agreed, I've only ever bought Windows once. That was because I had an extra pc. Otherwise my Surface Pro is going to be my goto device for anything non-gaming.No tablet compares, no laptop compares, no ultrabook compares. The Apple Ipad? It's not a professional work device, it's a simple entertainment device. Also, to those who say Microsoft only made the Surface to make money? What, is Apple or Google paying you to use their devices? Apple and Google are not making any money is what you're saying? I've been waiting years for Microsoft to make a tablet. But the hopes I had, have been fulfilled. They didn't make a tablet, they made a 'replace anything in your household that isn't a gaming machine'. Apple and Google don't come anywhere close to claiming that title.

I disagree. The Surface Pro is jack of all trades, but master of none. It's too heavy to be a good tablet, the screen is too small to do much productivity work, and unlike an ultrabook, the keyboard requires a flat surface. I tried using my friends surface with type cover on my lap and it was a disaster. The design is just flat out poor thanks to a misguided attempt to be unique and "cool". Tablets with a dockable keyboard that make a traditional clamshell notebook when connect are much better designed. Also, battery life is mediocre at best as is performance for the price. About the only thing going for the Surface is the fact that build and material quality is above average as it should be for the price.