Whos buying a a W8 Tablet?

[dr.stevil]

To be quite honest, at the price point of the pro tablets, I'd much rather get an ultrabook or macbook air. I really don't see what the surface brings to the table that makes it a must have device.

 

[wonderfield]

I sure hope that no one at MS is surprised by the supposedly low sales numbers

I'm sure Ballmer is scratching his bald head.

 

[heatlesssun]

It's sad that MS decided they would be able to compete right out of the door with Apple like prices.

Microsoft was never trying to compete with Apple with the Surface RT in terms of sales numbers compared to the iPad. Sure they are missing their own goal but it that goal was never anywhere near iPad device numbers.

 

[JPF_]

It's sad that MS decided they would be able to compete right out of the door with Apple like prices. If their RT tablet was more like $299 and $399 I would have been in line to buy one launch day. But for the price they want I would rather just get a tried and true Ipad with a gigantic app marketplace or even save a $100-$150 and go with an android tablet with just as big of a app pool to choose from.

sad sad sad imho...

I sure hope that no one at MS is surprised by the supposedly low sales numbers

I do not think they are Apple like prices???? A fully spec'ed Ipad is pretty much 1,000$. With no cover or keyboard.
A fully spec'ed Surface is around 700$? And thats with keyboard and cover. And you compare MS pricing with Apple, yet you said if it was 299 you would buy one. Where are the Apple tablets for 299?

And the best Android has to offer is the Nexus 10 or Asus......both of which are creeping up at the 500$ mark. Truly they are right there in the right price range. They use quality parts. And its a great OS.

The real reason is branding. They are coming out with fresh colors. Trying to get out of the "only old people use Windows" branding of ole.

 

[JPF_]

To be quite honest, at the price point of the pro tablets, I'd much rather get an ultrabook or macbook air. I really don't see what the surface brings to the table that makes it a must have device.

Never promoted to be a must have.

And good quality ultrabooks cost more than the Pro, with keyboard/cover.


edit: Surface Pro brings a lot to the table as far as enterprise is concerned. I truly feel between that an education, those are the fields in which the Surface Pro will excel....

 

[Hagrid]

I do not think they are Apple like prices???? A fully spec'ed Ipad is pretty much 1,000$. With no cover or keyboard.
A fully spec'ed Surface is around 700$? And thats with keyboard and cover. And you compare MS pricing with Apple, yet you said if it was 299 you would buy one. Where are the Apple tablets for 299?

And the best Android has to offer is the Nexus 10 or Asus......both of which are creeping up at the 500$ mark. Truly they are right there in the right price range. They use quality parts. And its a great OS.

The real reason is branding. They are coming out with fresh colors. Trying to get out of the "only old people use Windows" branding of ole.

The surface pro 128gb is $999, and doesnt come with the keyboard cover, which is a bit over $100.

 

[wonderfield]

I do not think they are Apple like prices???? A fully spec'ed Ipad is pretty much 1,000$. With no cover or keyboard. A fully spec'ed Surface is around 700$? And thats with keyboard and cover.

Apples; meet oranges.

 

[Gabe3]

It's sad that MS decided they would be able to compete right out of the door with Apple like prices. If their RT tablet was more like $299 and $399 I would have been in line to buy one launch day. But for the price they want I would rather just get a tried and true Ipad with a gigantic app marketplace or even save a $100-$150 and go with an android tablet with just as big of a app pool to choose from.

sad sad sad imho...

I sure hope that no one at MS is surprised by the supposedly low sales numbers

I think they are just trying to milk the RT tablets till surface pro comes out. acer w510 was $399 on cyber monday already.

 

[oldpablo]

The surface pro 128gb is $999, and doesnt come with the keyboard cover, which is a bit over $100.

The Surface Pro is in an entirely different league than an iPad. You compare it to full ultrabooks not a tablet. Surface RT however is a closer comparison though it obviously does several things that an iPad can't do, while the iPad has its own bonuses. So RT vs iPad and Pro vs Ultrabooks. And even then a direct comparison doesn't fit because even Surface RT exists between the tablet and ultrabook space by virtue of a usb port, what amounts to an integrated keyboard, and office. The iPad in my mind isn't competition since Surface RT in many ways addresses the hybrid market not just tablet consumption.

 

[Hagrid]

The Surface Pro is in an entirely different league than an iPad. You compare it to full ultrabooks not a tablet. Surface RT however is a closer comparison though it obviously does several things that an iPad can't do, while the iPad has its own bonuses. So RT vs iPad and Pro vs Ultrabooks. And even then a direct comparison doesn't fit because even Surface RT exists between the tablet and ultrabook space by virtue of a usb port, what amounts to an integrated keyboard, and office. The iPad in my mind isn't competition since Surface RT in many ways addresses the hybrid market not just tablet consumption.

If you compare it to a full ultrabook, it will lose. Smaller isnt always better, expecially at that price. I would rather have a bigger screen to play games on and still do all the same stuff as the surface. I wont be walking around taking notes on a $1100 tablet, when a cheaper one will work just the same.(personal opinion) I like to have all options available to me.
Its all personal preference and what you want in a tablet/ultrabook and what you want to spend.
Same can be said about windows 8, some like it, some dont.

 

[JPF_]

Apples; meet oranges.

Why are apples and oranges being compared then if they are so far off of another?

 

[JPF_]

If you compare it to a full ultrabook, it will lose. Smaller isnt always better, expecially at that price. I would rather have a bigger screen to play games on and still do all the same stuff as the surface. I wont be walking around taking notes on a $1100 tablet, when a cheaper one will work just the same.(personal opinion) I like to have all options available to me.
Its all personal preference and what you want in a tablet/ultrabook and what you want to spend.
Same can be said about windows 8, some like it, some dont.

That's great, we have an opinion here. You're speical and mean so much to Microsoft, as a valued custom....errrr......wait you're not buying one so what does it matter? Why spout so much dislike for a product you will never own or want to own?


Guess what a network engineer or end user tech does NOT want to use daily in his/her position? A laptop that can be used for gaming. So that makes it more functional for a mobile user.

I can assure you in the medical field, military, government, and all around enterprise.....the Surface Pro will be a rock solid product and make a world of ease on peoples day to day grind.


As for being a normal user......I could not see a normal user that does not own a laptop, desktop, or smart phone making the Surface pro their first choice for a mobile computer.

 

[MrCrispy]

A 10.6" Full HD screen is just too small for x86 apps. For $1000 I'd much rather have a touch Ultrabook, many of which are now coming out.

The problem with the Surface Pro is going to be marketing - people will think of it as an iPad competitor when it's totally different class of device. It's a very niche market and only meant for business/professional use.

 

[Hagrid]

That's great, we have an opinion here. You're speical and mean so much to Microsoft, as a valued custom....errrr......wait you're not buying one so what does it matter? Why spout so much dislike for a product you will never own or want to own?


Guess what a network engineer or end user tech does NOT want to use daily in his/her position? A laptop that can be used for gaming. So that makes it more functional for a mobile user.

I can assure you in the medical field, military, government, and all around enterprise.....the Surface Pro will be a rock solid product and make a world of ease on peoples day to day grind.


As for being a normal user......I could not see a normal user that does not own a laptop, desktop, or smart phone making the Surface pro their first choice for a mobile computer.

But why spend $1100 on a tablet when you are simply taking notes or doing office stuff on it. Like my nook color which can do that and its way cheaper, but it doesnt have the keyboard cover.

I havnt spouted dislike for the product, I was simply trying to think of why a tablet cost $1100. I dont care if people buy it or not. I will stick with my nook color for now, I just liked the idea of the keyboard cover is all, its pretty sweet.

 

[heatlesssun]

That's great, we have an opinion here. You're speical and mean so much to Microsoft, as a valued custom....errrr......wait you're not buying one so what does it matter? Why spout so much dislike for a product you will never own or want to own?

I ask this very same question of Windows 8 opponents myself. It just doesn't make a lot of sense for so many of them to keep going on and on about stuff they don't like and won't use. That's fine, no one is criticizing them for those choices that they are making and if the stuff doesn't fit their needs, then why should they use it?

But if it one isn't using this stuff and doesn't like it why keep going on and on about it? You don't like Windows 8 tablets, they don't suit your needs. But others are using them and like them and they will say why because they are using this stuff and it works for them. This isn't a zero sum game and it's nice to have different kinds of hardware to choose from.

 

[JPF_]

But why spend $1100 on a tablet when you are simply taking notes or doing office stuff on it. Like my nook color which can do that and its way cheaper, but it doesnt have the keyboard cover.

I havnt spouted dislike for the product, I was simply trying to think of why a tablet cost $1100. I dont care if people buy it or not. I will stick with my nook color for now, I just liked the idea of the keyboard cover is all, its pretty sweet.

Surface with Windows 8 Pro is beefier than its Windows RT sibling. It weighs about 2 pounds and measures 0.53 Both models will include a Surface active digitizer pen with “Palm Block” technology. Microsoft has announced pricing for its Surface with Windows 8 Pro, starting at $899 with 64 GB of storage


Its a tablet pc my friend. I am sorry you're still having issues with wrapping that around your mind. It's not a piece of crap run of the mill......this is a 2 pound PC/Tablet. With a core i-5.......with full on Win8 OS.......


Look beyond the user of the term tablet and you will be amazed at how awesome this product actually is. Maybe not for the day to day person who just checks e-mails and watches netflix......

 

[Hagrid]

A 10.6" Full HD screen is just too small for x86 apps. For $1000 I'd much rather have a touch Ultrabook, many of which are now coming out.

The problem with the Surface Pro is going to be marketing - people will think of it as an iPad competitor when it's totally different class of device. It's a very niche market and only meant for business/professional use.

Its actually more then $1100, the tablet doesnt come with the cover and such AFAIK.

I understand for business/professional use, but wouldnt it be less sales at that price when you really need to be standing to make full use of it? I mean if you sit all day long, then a laptop/desktop will work. The person would have to stand alot which makes it even more niche.

On a side note, you can have full HD porn standing up holding the tablet, while your other hand..... err nevermind...

 

[heatlesssun]

But why spend $1100 on a tablet when you are simply taking notes or doing office stuff on it. Like my nook color which can do that and its way cheaper, but it doesnt have the keyboard cover.

On the note taking side, a device as powerful as the Surface Pro with a digital pen gives you a lot of capability that they nook color simply doesn't have. Then there's digital art. However for just note taking with a pen there are cheaper options like Clover Trail devices but they aren't nearly as powerful though they have much better batter life.

I havnt spouted dislike for the product, I was simply trying to think of why a tablet cost $1100. I dont care if people buy it or not. I will stick with my nook color for now, I just liked the idea of the keyboard cover is all, its pretty sweet.

Because they want to be able to do a lot of things with a tablet that a nook color can't do. If a nook color for a fraction of the price could do the same things well of course that's the device people would buy.

 

[JPF_]

I ask this very same question of Windows 8 opponents myself. It just doesn't make a lot of sense for so many of them to keep going on and on about stuff they don't like and won't use. That's fine, no one is criticizing them for those choices that they are making and if the stuff doesn't fit their needs, then why should they use it?

But if it one isn't using this stuff and doesn't like it why keep going on and on about it? You don't like Windows 8 tablets, they don't suit your needs. But others are using them and like them and they will say why because they are using this stuff and it works for them. This isn't a zero sum game and it's nice to have different kinds of hardware to choose from.

I think its the internet forum syndrome.....


People like to argue for the sake of arguing.....just cannot understand for the life of me. Not trying to sound hippy like, but why cant we just get together and work things out and then if there is an issue with a product, submit our findings.....

Why act like kids all day because we hide behind an IP Address?

 

[oldpablo]

If you compare it to a full ultrabook, it will lose. Smaller isnt always better, expecially at that price. I would rather have a bigger screen to play games on and still do all the same stuff as the surface. I wont be walking around taking notes on a $1100 tablet, when a cheaper one will work just the same.(personal opinion) I like to have all options available to me.
Its all personal preference and what you want in a tablet/ultrabook and what you want to spend.
Same can be said about windows 8, some like it, some dont.

But why spend $1100 on a tablet when you are simply taking notes or doing office stuff on it. Like my nook color which can do that and its way cheaper, but it doesnt have the keyboard cover.

I havnt spouted dislike for the product, I was simply trying to think of why a tablet cost $1100. I dont care if people buy it or not. I will stick with my nook color for now, I just liked the idea of the keyboard cover is all, its pretty sweet.

You should really just leave the thread because you're completely missing the boat. Why buy a tablet for $1100 just to take notes? It's not a tablet, it's a full blown PC in a very portable form factor which many are dying for including me. Does every ultrabook look exactly the same, same screen size, resolution, weight, etc? No three is variety, many different types for many different tasks. You continually state your opinion and preference as fact. Please understand this, your needs/preferences do not match everyone's and as far as I can see are actually pretty far off when it comes to understanding the point behind either of the Surfaces. You don't get it, just move on and enjoy your stuff.

 

[Hagrid]

Surface with Windows 8 Pro is beefier than its Windows RT sibling. It weighs about 2 pounds and measures 0.53 Both models will include a Surface active digitizer pen with “Palm Block” technology. Microsoft has announced pricing for its Surface with Windows 8 Pro, starting at $899 with 64 GB of storage


Its a tablet pc my friend. I am sorry you're still having issues with wrapping that around your mind. It's not a piece of crap run of the mill......this is a 2 pound PC/Tablet. With a core i-5.......with full on Win8 OS.......


Look beyond the user of the term tablet and you will be amazed at how awesome this product actually is. Maybe not for the day to day person who just checks e-mails and watches netflix......

I am amazed at the technology itself and such, its the price. The price for the screen size is just too much to wrap around.

 

[JPF_]

Its actually more then $1100, the tablet doesnt come with the cover and such AFAIK.

I understand for business/professional use, but wouldnt it be less sales at that price when you really need to be standing to make full use of it? I mean if you sit all day long, then a laptop/desktop will work. The person would have to stand alot which makes it even more niche.

On a side note, you can have full HD porn standing up holding the tablet, while your other hand..... err nevermind...

Surface with Windows 8 Pro, starting at $899 with 64 GB of storage.

Plus....130 for the keyboard witch is also a cover? Not bad at all if you ask me.

 

[JPF_]

I am amazed at the technology itself and such, its the price. The price for the screen size is just too much to wrap around.

You realize the PC my mom and dad bought in 1991-2 had a 13 inch screen.....the whole computer cost 4800 dollars.......


Let me cap's lock my point to help you understand.


ITS A 2 POUND TABLET WITH COMPUTER STYLE HARDWARE THAT CAN RUN A FULL ON O/S. ITS UNDER 1,000$ WITH KEYBOARD/COVER. AND IT CAN BE TAKEN ANYWHERE AND WORK. IT HAS A KEYBOARD AND COVER TO TAKE IT ON THE GO. SO ITS A LAPTOP, A TABLET, AND A PC ALL IN ONE.


Even an ultrabook gets tiresome when holding it for hours. I work in IT and have to do this sometimes.



On the left edge of the device there’s a micro-HDMI out port that can be paired with a Microsoft made VGA or HDMI dongle (both dongles have a 22-degree connector on them to mate flush with Surface). So you can then hook it up to a monitor......keyboard and mouse......and its now a PC.

 

[oldpablo]

Why buy a tablet guys when a pen and paper works!!

 

[oldpablo]

I am amazed at the technology itself and such, its the price. The price for the screen size is just too much to wrap around.

$500 cell phones must just blow your mind then.

 

[Hagrid]

You should really just leave the thread because you're completely missing the boat. Why buy a tablet for $1100 just to take notes? It's not a tablet, it's a full blown PC in a very portable form factor which many are dying for including me. You continually state your opinion and preference as fact. Please understand this, your needs/preferences do not match everyone's and as far as I can see are actually pretty far off when it comes to understanding the point behind either of the Surfaces. You don't get it, just move on and enjoy your stuff.

Yes, I know, having a debate in a forum meant for debates.

I understand my needs, and as far as others, I dont make the tablets so I cant do anything about that.
Its a full blown PC which is nice, and I hope you enjoy it when you buy it.

I state my opinion as fact? You need to go back and read, I state many times about my opinion and facts for me and me alone.

If people only use it to take notes and office stuff or they use it for some other reason doesnt bother me.

 

[Hagrid]

$500 cell phones must just blow your mind then.

My phone was only $99, the Droid 4. It doesnt blow my mind with that tiny screen.

 

[oldpablo]

Yes, I know, having a debate in a forum meant for debates.

You aren't debating, you are telling people they are wrong by making statements like "if you compare it to a full ultrabook it will lose" like you are some kind of authority for everyone's uses.

I state my opinion as fact? You need to go back and read, I state many times about my opinion and facts for me and me alone.

You switch back and forth which is almost more annoying.

If people only use it to take notes and office stuff or they use it for some other reason doesnt bother me.

"Just taking notes" and "office stuff" are two very vastly different things.

My phone was only $99, the Droid 4. It doesnt blow my mind with that tiny screen.

Nope it actually cost you a lot more than that since I'm sure it's subsidized, but just to finish that point how much is it at full price? The way you are presenting many of your arguments is that screen size is the key to price. It's not by any means.

 

[wonderfield]

Plus....130 for the keyboard witch is also a cover? Not bad at all if you ask me.

$130 for a not-very-good keyboard and a cover. If it were an exceptionally good keyboard, $130 wouldn't seem so bad, but it's not an exceptionally good keyboard.

 

[Hagrid]

You aren't debating, you are telling people they are wrong by making statements like "if you compare it to a full ultrabook it will lose" like you are some kind of authority for everyone's uses.



You switch back and forth which is almost more annoying.



"Just taking notes" and "office stuff" are two very vastly different things.



Nope it actually cost you a lot more than that since I'm sure it's subsidized, but just to finish that point how much is it at full price? The way you are presenting many of your arguments is that screen size is the key to price. It's not by any means.

And at the end I had this "(in my opinion).

Screen size is not the key, but it limits you in certain things. I dont like to be limited and enjoy having a choice.

Taking notes and office stuff. Yeah, I guess it depends on what office stuff. I cant run a full blown program on my nook color, but i can run office apps.
There are some things that a bigger screen is better for, expecially for details.(IMO)

 

[Hagrid]

$130 for a not-very-good keyboard and a cover. If it were an exceptionally good keyboard, $130 wouldn't seem so bad, but it's not an exceptionally good keyboard.

I think its worth it though, because as I have stated before, "I hate! touching my screens!".

 

[oldpablo]

$130 for a not-very-good keyboard and a cover. If it were an exceptionally good keyboard, $130 wouldn't seem so bad, but it's not an exceptionally good keyboard.

Counterpoint, how much is a cover and a bluetooth keyboard seperately? Do you now carry a second bag with your keyboard or a much bulkier case with included keyboard inside? You're paying for design, just like the Apple tax from years gone by. A super thin keyboard that doubles as a cover and doesn't require waiting for bluetooth to start working. It's fair in my book. Don't get me wrong I'd rather it be included, but it's not outside the realm of existing pricing.

 

[JPF_]

$130 for a not-very-good keyboard and a cover. If it were an exceptionally good keyboard, $130 wouldn't seem so bad, but it's not an exceptionally good keyboard.

Talking as if its a keyboard you buy for your desktop.


Of course 130 is a lot for a keyboard for your desktop. This isnt a desktop, this isnt a usb keyboard. Not very good? You own one?

 

[darrpara]

>>snip<<
On the left edge of the device there’s a micro-HDMI out port that can be paired with a Microsoft made VGA or HDMI dongle (both dongles have a 22-degree connector on them to mate flush with Surface). So you can then hook it up to a monitor......keyboard and mouse......and its now a PC.

Just as an FYI my wife's Surface RT works perfectly with a monoprice HDMI cable. No need to buy one from Microsoft.

 

[wonderfield]

Counterpoint, how much is a cover and a bluetooth keyboard seperately?

For the Surface? Microsoft doesn't make covers for the Surface, so that's indeterminate. Amazon makes a decent Bluetooth keyboard for $30; Apple's similar keyboard is $70. I haven't used the Amazon keyboard, but the Apple unit is very good.

Do you now carry a second bag with your keyboard or a much bulkier case with included keyboard inside? Do you now carry a second bag with your keyboard or a much bulkier case with included keyboard inside?

No. I don't understand the relevance of these questions.

Talking as if its a keyboard you buy for your desktop.

Talking as if it's a keyboard. Which it is.

Not very good? You own one?

Reviewers have found it less than favorable.

 

[Impulse]

But why spend $1100 on a tablet when you are simply taking notes or doing office stuff on it. Like my nook color which can do that and its way cheaper, but it doesnt have the keyboard cover.

I havnt spouted dislike for the product, I was simply trying to think of why a tablet cost $1100. I dont care if people buy it or not. I will stick with my nook color for now, I just liked the idea of the keyboard cover is all, its pretty sweet.

I know you're just gonna keep trolling the thread regardless of what anyone says, making absolute statements about what a product is or isn't worth then going back to hide between the "oh it's just my opinion" card, but here goes... Try to use your imagination and step outside of your particular usage case for a moment, I know it's hard to conceive other people have different needs but give it a shot.

You keep alluding to gaming and ultrabooks, but there's zero $1,000 ultrabooks out there that can really do any serious gaming... If you're just talking about casual stuff and you're trying to make some sort of distinction between the degree of casual gaming that you can achieve on a slightly beefier system vs a Surface Pro or even an RT you're grasping at straws. Regardless, a very very large portion of the population out there has zero interest in mobile PC gaming, I'd gamble that even on a forum like this people are usually more focused on desktop gaming because $1,000 gets you a decent desktop that can play AAA titles for two to four years (with a GPU upgrade along the way), whereas even $2,000 gaming laptops are usually obsolete in two year's time.

Obviously that's an unfair comparison and some people have no choice but to get a gaming laptop because they travel a lot or go to LANs or have a tiny ass apartment, whatever. That kinda unfair comparison is the same obtuse prism you keep forcing on Surface & Surface Pro, like they can't possibly be worth anything if they don't apply to your usage case.

Moving on, you can do basic office chores on a mobile OS but it quickly turns into a huge pain in the ass unless you're just doing a 3rd grade book retort. Even Android which is more flexible than iOS or the nook/Fire stock will struggle with very basic stuff like inserting images into documents, batch uploading stuff for linking on a site/blog, referencing a site as you type (and forget easily bouncing between an IM/email convo and any of that)... None of those things are even very demanding hardware wise, but a combination of software and storage schemes makes it very cumbersome on anything with a mobile OS... I've done a lot of it on my Transformer with it's keyboard dock and it's an exercise in frustration, so much so that i actually keep my ancient netbook around for some work/school stuff even tho the display is horrible (and 8.9") and battery life is like 5hr tops.

Taking notes is also very very crude on most mobile OS devices, if you've never tried out OneNote's scripting and recognition capabilities I urge you to do so before assuming the experience is in any way comparable (even stuff like Samsung's newer Note are still way behind).

Cheaper tablets still have their place tho, obviously, for one thing smaller tablets are more comfortable for reading or casual couch use. I actually want to sell my TF and get something like a Nexus 7 for this very reason... The stuff I'd actually wanna do on Android doesn't benefit terribly from a larger display. It's totally a luxury thing tho, other people would view owning more than a single tablet as ridiculous, even a single tablet is a luxury. There's nothing I can do on an Android tablet that I can't do on the phone, the tablet's simply a more comfortable form factor and has a much larger battery.

 

[Impulse]

But why spend $1100 on a tablet when you are simply taking notes or doing office stuff on it. Like my nook color which can do that and its way cheaper, but it doesnt have the keyboard cover.

I havnt spouted dislike for the product, I was simply trying to think of why a tablet cost $1100. I dont care if people buy it or not. I will stick with my nook color for now, I just liked the idea of the keyboard cover is all, its pretty sweet.

So that brings us to the opposite end of the spectrum... Why would anyone want to spend a grand on a convertible like the Surface Pro or even $600 on a Surface? Well I already touched on two points, office tasks are an order of magnitude easier to tackle when you have a real office suite, and when you can snap windows and apps side by side, and when you can use existing desktop apps, etc etc. Note taking is also vastly superior with a real digitizer and better software.

Forget those two very specific scenarios for a second tho, let's take a step back and look at the ultrabook comparison while ignoring stuff like touch and note taking. There's a ton of people out there willing to make some sacrifices in aspects like screen size in order to use one device that meets most of their needs... Nevermind that there's plenty of 12" ultrabooks already so some of the 11.6" convertible tablets aren't much of a step down as it is. Some people would rather not switch devices constantly and if they can access all their current work and data on a single hybrid device then that alone is worth a ton to them. Other people might view it as a value or travel weight advantage, why pay $200-500 for a tablet when a convertible that can handle most laptop duties can also work as a tablet when I decide to kick back on the couch/bed? (or why travel with the extra 2-3 pounds)

Looking further past that, let's say you're not big on convergence (I'm not, as I said, I'd keep a smaller tablet even if I owned a 10-12" hybrid)... Does a hybrid device still offer something the 12-13" ultrabook doesn't? Well sure, I already pointed out stuff like note taking that works better on Windows, but there's tons of demanding usage cases that can still benefit from a touch interface and/or a slimmer keyboard-less form factor...

Things like RAW photo manipulation and even browsing are between iffy and impossible on a mobile OS (nevermind the demanding hardware requirements) but can benefit greatly from a quicker touch interface or on-the-go form factor if you're a professional showcasing work for a client or you're doing rough field edits to try stuff out. Sure, there's ultrabooks with touch screens, but have you ever tried to use one by reaching for the display constantly over the keyboard? I've gone thru it on my TF. It's not fluid or intuitive, never mind usingit while standing or handing it off to multiple people for viewing etc.

There's many other similar scenarios... Showing off or previewing blueprints, medical records and tests. Accessing server/network data while standing in front of the server or in your boss' office, etc. You wouldn't or couldn't fathom many of those usage cases because as you've confessed, you're not a big fan of touch screens to begin with, but they're out there.

Ultimately the whole thing is about having a choice of form factors. Some people want do it all convergent devices, others don't. Some people need 8lb gaming laptops, others can get by with an ultrabook. Some people want a single tablet, others have bought into the form factor and can actually see owning multiples just like PC enthusiasts have owned multiple rigs for decades. Some want a tablet first device, laptop second, others vice versa.

You can't pass judgment on what a device is universally worth if you lack the imagination to see how it would be used. I'm not sure if my longwinded post answers the question you keep posing in different ways, hopefully it helps steer the discussion forward tho.

 

[Impulse]

But why spend $1100 on a tablet when you are simply taking notes or doing office stuff on it. Like my nook color which can do that and its way cheaper, but it doesnt have the keyboard cover.

I havnt spouted dislike for the product, I was simply trying to think of why a tablet cost $1100. I dont care if people buy it or not. I will stick with my nook color for now, I just liked the idea of the keyboard cover is all, its pretty sweet.

If you go by build of materials alone the Surface Pro is actually pretty decently priced compared to any ultrabook and the regular Surface is just overpriced, as most larger ARM tablets are... Even more so since there's Windows licensing etc. Hopefully AMD and next gen Atom will continue pushing those prices down as others pull from the opposite direction (Google, Amazon ASUS, etc.). Heck, a ton of people would argue that most ultrabooks are actually pretty overpriced when compared to slightly thicker or heavier laptops that are easier to upgrade or faster or have better battery life (or a combination of those), while having identical internals.

Oddly enough you hold ultrabooks as this benchmark or paragon of value when they're actually some of the most overvalued devices out there. Many would argue superior build quality or design is worth it, tho that's a very form over function way of thought that flies in the face of true value. Others would make an argument for the lighter weight or the improved IPS/high res displays that a few of the ultrabooks have (as would I, but only because they're such a rarity even outside ultrabooks), but that's not a given, the majority actually have shitty TN displays that are lower res than even most 7" tablets.

Broad generalizations or comparisons against ultrabooks are actually rather pointless in the end because of a user's particular needs and the wide variety of models; sure hasn't stopped you from harping about it thru the last couple of thread pages tho.

 

[heatlesssun]

Reviewers have found it less than favorable.

Some reviewers.

 

[Hagrid]

If you go by build of materials alone the Surface Pro is actually pretty decently priced compared to any ultrabook and the regular Surface is just overpriced, as most larger ARM tablets are... Even more so since there's Windows licensing etc. Hopefully AMD and next gen Atom will continue pushing those prices down as others pull from the opposite direction (Google, Amazon ASUS, etc.). Heck, a ton of people would argue that most ultrabooks are actually pretty overpriced when compared to slightly thicker or heavier laptops that are easier to upgrade or faster or have better battery life (or a combination of those), while having identical internals.

Oddly enough you hold ultrabooks as this benchmark or paragon of value when they're actually some of the most overvalued devices out there. Many would argue superior build quality or design is worth it, tho that's a very form over function way of thought that flies in the face of true value. Others would make an argument for the lighter weight or the improved IPS/high res displays that a few of the ultrabooks have (as would I, but only because they're such a rarity even outside ultrabooks), but that's not a given, the majority actually have shitty TN displays that are lower res than even most 7" tablets.

Broad generalizations or comparisons against ultrabooks are actually rather pointless in the end because of a user's particular needs and the wide variety of models; sure hasn't stopped you from harping about it thru the last couple of thread pages tho.

Harping about the same thing you just said about how users need a variety, choice and such. ROFL. Thanks for the help!