Microsoft Surface Pro & RT

you can't do any real workflow stuff on an ipad
or an android unless like mentioned in the thread you jump through some hoops to remote in a real pc.


this is more than just a android vs ios thread

You cannot run adobe acrobat to batch process hundreds of documents or even bates number. As a lifestyle tablet and quasi wannabe work tabelt yeah ipad and android fill those niches but in the real buisness office world, those tablets are just web browsers, e readers, and music players. Dont get it twisted, Ive had my hands on all of them.

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

msrp on the lenovo?

est. 699$

The only downside I see is atom processor vs. i5 and maybe usb2 ver surfaces usb3

but batt life seems better(prob processor) and 4g is what has been announced for thinkpad tablet 2 (for att only)

Originally Posted by MachRc

you can't do any real workflow stuff on an ipad.

You cannot run adobe acrobat to batch process hundreds of documents or even bates number. As a lifestyle tablet and quasi wannabe work tablt yeah ipad and android fill those niches but in the real buisness office word, those tablets are just web browsers, e readers, and music players. Dont get it twisted, Ive had my hands on all of them.

I'm pretty sure he was joking

Looks like a very thin laptop with touchscreen / tablet like screen and interface. Actually, I think the look of it is odd since the keyboard is razor thin and the screen carries the bulk of the thickness/weight...to the point where it requires a kickstand They need to reverse that like on a laptop.

This is good progress for the tablet / laptop segment but they have a long way to go.

For a business to business tablet, I recommend that iPad because that's what everyone else has and they know how to use it.

I've gone into meetings with androids tablets, only to have them ask me questions on what to touch or how to navigate. It's annoying and strange but that's the current flow.

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

I'm pretty sure he was joking

guess not.





fixed

Originally Posted by ImPulSe

For a business to business tablet, I recommend an x86 tablet because that's what everyone else has been using that last 20 years to work and they know how to use it.

I've gone into work with androids tablets, only to have them ask me questions on what apps should do this or how to run work related programs. It's annoying and strange but that's the current flow.

this is being sold for legacy/power buisness user who wants a tablet to run x86 software for their buisness.

Why would you bring in a tablet and then have someone use yours in a meeting?

I can see you connecting it via hdmi (android) to show presentations but beyond that I dont know what you'd use a tablet for unless youre taking notes.


again x86 [legacy] users. IOS and android does not apply here, very different.

Originally Posted by ImPulSe

For a business to business tablet, I recommend that iPad because that's what everyone else has and they know how to use it.

I've gone into meetings with androids tablets, only to have them ask me questions on what to touch or how to navigate. It's annoying and strange but that's the current flow.

$100 says anyone will know how to operate a tablet running Windows

The "RT" version is pretty damn useless and will confuse people when they find out that they can't run "Word" on it.

Microsoft could either be doing some serious ass kicking, or have failed spectacularly by this time next year.

Originally Posted by Stankia

The "RT" version is pretty damn useless and will confuse people when they find out that they can't run "Word" on it.

SO true. Maybe even confusing our own members here.

I myself can't comprehend/imagine how using it is going to be like. Its may aswell be the next HP touch pad.


edit:
i tried to imagine (while eating dinner)what it would be like, and I think it would probably be more android like experience and eco system off the pc probably well. More than the ios stuff out of the box.

Shirley some one is interested in buying the RT version one.. ..for their significant other to ..browse maybe.. to put jellybean 4.1.1 on it?

Originally Posted by ImPulSe

Originally Posted by MachRc

SO true. Maybe even confusing our own members here.

I myself can't comprehend/imagine how using it is going to be like. Its may aswell be the next HP touch pad.

So the RT is ARM, and the other is an x86 i5?

I assume the i5 is an ivy bridge chip? If so, this thing should be ridiculously fast and efficient.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Bimmer App

What processor is the Surface RT going to use? Is it the Qualcom S4?

Originally Posted by jeffro3000

So the RT is ARM, and the other is an x86 i5?

I assume the i5 is an ivy bridge chip? If so, this thing should be ridiculously fast and efficient.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Bimmer App

Ive updated the first post with information on the differences between the both.

Originally Posted by Skazzy

What processor is the Surface RT going to use? Is it the Qualcom S4?

Not quite sure as they have not gone in further detail, but Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments have signed on to manufacture the chips to power Windows RT systems. SO expect the latest stuff like tegra 3 video processing like most current tablets.

1. What Does Windows RT Stand For?

Windows NT was said to stand for “Windows New Technology,” although other explanations have been suggested. Microsoft has never explained what Windows RT officially means(runtime?).

2. When Can I Get Windows RT?

Windows RT hardware should be available around the time Windows 8 launches, somewhere on or about October 26.

3. Why Are There Two New Versions of Windows?

Microsoft’s hardware partners have inevitably moved to where the money is. The success of the Apple iPad convinced manufacturers that tablets were a viable product. However, the only option they had was to choose the Android operating system. Windows on ARM (now renamed Windows RT) gives tablet makers the option to make better and cheaper Windows tablets that run on less-expensive, less-power-hungry ARM (a type of reduced instruction set computing - RISC) chips instead of the standard Intel X86-style processors that other versions of Windows require. Unfortunately, the main Windows code base is designed around X86, so total compatibilty between the versions isn’t yet possible.

4. What’s the Hardware Difference Between Windows RT and Windows 8?

The real question is what the difference is from a software perspective. But it’s actually easier to answer the hardware question first. Windows 8 is a true PC operating system, if you define the PC as running on an X86 chip from either AMD or Intel.

By definition, Windows RT runs on ARM chips, the embedded microprocessors that power today’s smartphones. Windows RT won’t run on an X86 chip. Instead, Nvidia, Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments have signed on to manufacture chips to power Windows RT systems.

5. Is Windows RT a PC operating system?

Yes. And no. Again, you won’t see Windows RT running on a PC microprocessor, but Microsoft has said that PC-like devices will be made by Windows RT partners, including tablets, traditional clamshell laptops and convertible devices.

6. Will Windows 8 and Windows RT Work the Same Way?

On the surface, they should be very similar. Windows RT apps are basically the widgets that Windows 8 embeds in what it formerly called the “Metro” interface (now the “Modern UI”). But there are other differences: Windows RT won’t include Windows Media Player. Basically, Windows RT sounds like Metro, plus Internet Explorer, plus an RT version of the Microsoft Office productivity suite. That’s it. Windows 8 will go much farther into dedicated apps and software.

It’s probably fair to say that Windows RT tablets are designed for cost-conscious consumers, while Windows 8 and its associated hardware will be bought by more professional and creative types. But it’s also possible that Windows RT tablets will be seen as bargains by mainstream users who don’t plan to do more than engage with a few apps, surf the Web and work in Office.

7. Can I Buy or Upgrade to Windows RT?

No. Windows RT will come only bundled on dedicated hardware, like a tablet. Over time, Microsoft will release downloadble patches and updates.

8. Who Will Make Windows RT hardware?

That’s a bit up in the air right now. Asus, Dell, Lenovo and Samsung have all said that they plan to manufacture Windows RT devices.

But Hewlett-Packard appears to be waffling, and Toshiba has decided to pull out of Windows RT development because of a shortage of components. Toshiba’s chip partner is Texas Instruments, but if TI’s manufacturing is the culprit, it’s not talking. Patrick Moorhead, a former vice president of strategy for AMD and now an independent analyst, told ReadWriteWeb he believes the problem is in fact software drivers, and that the component issue is a bit of a smokescreen.

Microsoft, of course, will manufacture its own Windows RT tablet, which apparently will be called the Surface RT.

9. What Will Windows RT Tablets Be Like?

Specifically, Microsoft has said that the Surface RT tablets it was aware of ranged in weight from 500 grams (1.1 pounds) to 1,200 grams (2.6 pounds). The tablets ranged from between 8.35 mm to 15.6 mm thick, with lengths that spanned 263 mm (10.3 inches) to 298 mm (11.73 in.) and widths ranging from 168.5 mm (6.63 in.) to 204 mm (8.03 in.)

In terms of hardware capability, Microsoft said that the tablets would be able to generate the Windows 8 animations at a fluid 60 Hz, and sample finger input at a smooth 100 Hz per finger. Users wil be able to “bump” or tap two Windows RT devices together and share photos, URLs, map directions and other information. The Surface RT tablets will be able to play HD video continuously for about 8 to 13 hours at screen brightnesses of 200 nits.

Microsoft has also said that they will be able to sit within a “connected standby” state for more 17 days, able to update email, tweets, Facebook, et cetera. It’s not yet clear how those capabilities will compare to Windows 8 machines.

10. How Much Will Windows RT Devices Cost?

Microsoft has said that Widnows RT tablets will be “competitve” with the prices of existing ARM-based tablets. Some think this means about $399 or above, about the price of an Apple iPad; others think that a $200 tablet priced at about the level of an Amazon Kindle Fire or Google Nexus 7 fits the definition.

11. Are Windows 8 and Windows RT compatible?

Yes and no. Think of Windows 8 as a superset of Windows RT. Windows RT apps will work on Windows 8, but Windows 8 apps will work on Windows RT only if they’re specifically designed for both operating systems.

12. Can I Run My old Windows Software on Windows RT?

No. Software designed for Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP or earlier versions can’t run on Windows RT, at least natively. Windows RT is an entirely new beast.

13. How Do I Run Software on Windows RT?

Microsoft will release a version of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote for Windows RT that is “significantly architected for both touch and minimized power/resource consumption, while also being fully featured for consumers and providing complete document compatibility.” That probably means it will lack a few features. Internet Explorer 10 and File Explorer will also be included. Otherwise, users will be able to buy Windows RT apps from the Windows Store. And that’s it. That’s part of the reason apps will such a critical component of Windows RT’s success.

14. What Do Developers Think of Windows RT?

Right now, Windows RT is still a trial balloon for most developers. Mark Schroeder, a producer with marketing agency Signature Creative, said that the process to port one of its Android apps begins this Monday. The one port will “test the water,” he said, and others will follow if the company believes the process will be justified.

However, Microsoft claims that some 90% of the apps already submitted to the Windows 8 store will run on Windows RT, too.

15. What About Windows Phone 8?

Microsoft has also said that the ”common core” between Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 will allow apps developed for Windows 8 to be easily ported to Windows Phone. But it’s far less clear whether Windows Phone 8 apps will be easily ported to Windows RT, as Microsoft has confirmed that they will require modification.

“Both Windows 8 and Windows Phone leverage common tools and technologies that have been under development at Microsoft for many years,” a Microsoft spokeswoman said in an email. “Developers who build applications for Windows Phone will be very well prepared for building applications for Windows 8, and in many cases, may be able to reuse assets and business logic in building new Windows 8 applications.

“While Windows Phone applications cannot run on Windows 8 without being modified, developers have found it’s fairly easy to port a well-written Windows Phone app to Windows 8,” the spokeswoman added. “For example, Rick Walrond, developer of the Windows Phone word game AlphaDrops, reported he was able to use 90% of his original code when porting the game over to Windows 8.”

The problem, of course, is that this answer avoids the question of Windows RT, instead substituting Windows 8. Given that Windows Phone 8 apps seem to share a lot in common with the Metro apps, one would think that the apps would drift naturally from one platform to another. But we’ll have to see.



http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives...windows-rt.php

so anyone buy one? my little sister is getting one for xmas. it came yesterday and im setting it up. it is nice but I like my ipad better. this thing somewhat reminds me of the zune touch...

^wow zune is market-wise synonymous with alot of bad adjectives. Still waiting to see the pro.





my real worry is that it may be too "junior" to be deployed for professionals.

But the black on black with those typing keyboards does look very nice.

I'm waiting for the Pro.

The touch keyboard is new but feels cheap for the $120 price tag. I'm definitely going to wait and see how the lawsuit works out. Buy a 32gb hardware and only get 15-17gb to actually use because of all the installed apps is a rip off. Apple obviously is way ahead in this department.

The strip for connecting the keyboard is already coming unglued on the Surface Tablet at work.