Oh dear ... tech porn, I must have accidentally gone to the wrong web site ... I don't know how that happened?
That's the appropriate way to review a Tablet PC from the PC era of computing. It's all about the checklist of PC features, not the experience.
Open in file explorer? Why? Just put everything in the cloud. The old PC paradigm is that you have to push files around a disk. You have a C: drive. Or drive. Why? The post-PC experience is that you have your content, (document, video, song, picture) and you want to get to it, share it, etc. Yes of course there's a file system underneath, but Apple--specifically Steve Jobs--believed that someday, the Finder would be a tool used by "pros" and that users would have never have to think about file management. Doing that requires nothing short of reinventing the computer, and that's what Apple has done with the iOS devices. File management is a symptom that your paradigm of computer use hasn't changed since the 1980s. You can put a shiny new Touch UI on your file management program, but that's solving the wrong problem.
If you worked on the Surface 2, and had spent months figuring out how to make it no thicker than the iPad so it could compete, it must be soul destroying to see Apple leapfrog you yet again.
Nah. Outside of Apple fan base, there is no even remotely as much obsession with thinness, once you reach a threshold. I'd say Surface Pro 2 is questionable here (though it does play in a bit different league), but Surface 2 is thin enough not to be an issue for most of people (again, outside of Apple user base).
That being said, I think devices like Nokia's new Snapdragon powered RT tablet will be more interesting for general audience - as many or as little as they are. Nokia Lumia brand is quite strong outside of US these days (well, stronger than MS anyway, IMHO) and addition of LTE, better camera, colours... plus, Snapdragon 800 should be a bit better performer than Tegra 4, if I remember correctly.
But for my personal usage scenario, ThinkPad Tablet 2 turned to be best tablet fit for me... so I'm looking forward Bay Trail tablets with 8.1 Pro.
Nah. Outside of Apple fan base, there is no even remotely as much obsession with thinness, once you reach a threshold. I'd say Surface Pro 2 is questionable here (though it does play in a bit different league), but Surface 2 is thin enough not to be an issue for most of people (again, outside of Apple user base).
That being said, I think devices like Nokia's new Snapdragon powered RT tablet will be more interesting for general audience - as many or as little as they are. Nokia Lumia brand is quite strong outside of US these days (well, stronger than MS anyway, IMHO) and addition of LTE, better camera, colours... plus, Snapdragon 800 should be a bit better performer than Tegra 4, if I remember correctly.
But for my personal usage scenario, ThinkPad Tablet 2 turned to be best tablet fit for me... so I'm looking forward Bay Trail tablets with 8.1 Pro.
And there you've summed up many of the problems Microsoft (and Android) licensees have.
I don't know what Snapdragon 800, Tegra 4
and Bay Trail are. Much less do I care.
When I hold a tablet, I definitely care whether it is heavy or light.
And there you've summed up many of the problems Microsoft (and Android) licensees have.
I don't know what Snapdragon 800, Tegra 4
and Bay Trail are. Much less do I care.
When I hold a tablet, I definitely care whether it is heavy or light.
I'm a normal consumer.
That is what has been holding me back. I want the big screen, but unlike a netbook turned tablet, I plan on holding my iPad, not sitting it on a desk to crank out spreadsheets. I want it light, and I am happy it is less wide as well. Very nice for holding without giving up the screen size.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.
Sad - would've thought they would have changed something after their experience with the Zune and the first Surface.
Well, if I remember correctly, original iPhone was hardly runaway success... and it took Android quite a few releases in both software and hardware to start taking off. Xbox was pretty much failure, contrary to Xbox 360. Apple TV had really slow start. Etc etc.
Expecting that new platform will always take off immediately is real insanity, IMHO. It does happen here and there - iPad, original Playstation... but those cases are still in minority.
In addition, there is a big waiting game in the background - Android OEMs might find it very hard to continue with what they do if Apple has their way with patents. I'm not expecting it, but I also would not be completely surprised to see a huge migration from Android to Windows platforms in foreseeable future.
And there you've summed up many of the problems Microsoft (and Android) licensees have.
I don't know what Snapdragon 800, Tegra 4
and Bay Trail are. Much less do I care.
When I hold a tablet, I definitely care whether it is heavy or light.
I'm a normal consumer.
There is no one mould to fit "normal customer" into.
Before I buy device like tablet, I figure out what I want to do with it. I can make some sacrifices in size/weight if I get more functionality I am looking for.
But in this case, I don't even have to make sacrifice. Last year's ThinkPad Tablet 2 was 9.9mm thick and 0.58kg heavy. Last year's iPad is 9.4mm thick and 0.65kg heavy. Have you tried holding this tablet, you could have found out for yourself. But if you prefer to base your opinions and decisions on lack of information, that is also your right.
There is no one mould to fit "normal customer" into.
Before I buy device like tablet, I figure out what I want to do with it. I can make some sacrifices in size/weight if I get more functionality I am looking for.
But in this case, I don't even have to make sacrifice. Last year's ThinkPad Tablet 2 was 9.9mm thick and 0.58kg heavy. Last year's iPad is 9.4mm thick and 0.65kg heavy. Have you tried holding this tablet, you could have found out for yourself. But if you prefer to base your opinions and decisions on lack of information, that is also your right.
I guess that ThinkPad wasn't in Best Buy. I had a play around with the tablets they had and liked the iPad Mini, so I bought it.
It was basically an impulse buy, and it came good.
Again, I'm a normal consumer. Like the majority of people, I want a tablet to look at content.
Again, like most normal consumers, I've got the laptop work gives me when I need to be productive.
Steve Ballmer made a joke about how he brought his kids up right, to know enough not to use any Apple products. This idea probably pervades the entire company, and as a result, here we have a "tablet" designed by people who don't use iPads and probably have no idea about how most people use them. They've re-invented the ultra-book and called it innovation. The iPad Air is a thing of beauty. Surface is a monstrosity.
Steve Ballmer made a joke about how he brought his kids up right, to know enough not to use any Apple products. This idea probably pervades the entire company, and as a result, here we have a "tablet" designed by people who don't use iPads and probably have no idea about how most people use them. They've re-invented the ultra-book and called it innovation. The iPad Air is a thing of beauty. Surface is a monstrosity.
To your point, Microsoft is reaching out to a different client, a client they feel wants to be 'productive' with their tablet. Unfortunately, that is like trying to recycle the netbook by making it a tablet. Sure, there are those who take their tables to meetings, and I see more tables at meetings then notebooks, however, that is for very light use and because they don't want to carry their notebook around.
What Microsoft refuses to understand is the client, and most clients want a tablet to consume content, not to plug peripherals into, or to store gigabytes of data, or to process 1GB spreadsheets. They have real notebooks to do that or desktops. The vast majority of consumers want a tablet they can hold in their hand and have some fun.
Tables are the escape from work, not the extension of work from the office.
Nah. Outside of Apple fan base, there is no even remotely as much obsession with thinness, once you reach a threshold. I'd say Surface Pro 2 is questionable here (though it does play in a bit different league), but Surface 2 is thin enough not to be an issue for most of people (again, outside of Apple user base).
I understand what you're saying, and it makes sense in concept, but I disagree. My wife has an iPad 2 and I have a Nook HD+. The HD+ (awesome tablet for a $150 btw) is about as thin and light as the iPad Air and the difference that makes in contrast to the iPad 2 is jaw dropping. When a tablet is thin and light enough to hold by the edge in one hand with no feeling of stress it really changes how you relate to it. It's hard to describe... and Phil Schiller alluded to this in the keynote. So, wait until the iPad Air is available, and hold one in your hands. I think you'll be surprised. This isn't about bragging rights for "thinnest on the block." It really changes how you feel about using the device.
I like to believe I am normal customer too, but I never believed in "one-size-fit-all" mantra.
I am also mostly using tablet to consume, but I like that I can access my media same way I'd do on laptop or desktop. My tablet fits into my existing home network, with no need to do what-so-ever adjustments to make network tablet-friendly. As in, browse my network shares and copy over (if I want to take tablet away) or open directly from the network; older TV shows, comics, eBooks mostly.
My wife grabs tablet to do quick review of assignments, MD and PhD chapters for students she is supervising.
We both print and scan on occasion to and from network attached printer/scanner.
And of course, usual stuff - web, email, FB...
Most of these things can be done from iOS and Android nowadays, but there are still some limitations in network access, compatible printers and scanners and, in my wife's case, full MS Office compatibility - she is physical chemist, some of those documents are quite full with formulas and other "non-standard" content.
I did get two iPads for my mother (so far) and I'm very convinced that was the best choice for her. She is also normal customer, only more stand-alone and less networked than I am.
I like to believe I am normal customer too, but I never believed in "one-size-fit-all" mantra.
I am also mostly using tablet to consume, but I like that I can access my media same way I'd do on laptop or desktop. My tablet fits into my existing home network, with no need to do what-so-ever adjustments to make network tablet-friendly. As in, browse my network shares and copy over (if I want to take tablet away) or open directly from the network; older TV shows, comics, eBooks mostly.
My wife grabs tablet to do quick review of assignments, MD and PhD chapters for students she is supervising.
We both print and scan on occasion to and from network attached printer/scanner.
And of course, usual stuff - web, email, FB...
Most of these things can be done from iOS and Android nowadays, but there are still some limitations in network access, compatible printers and scanners and, in my wife's case, full MS Office compatibility - she is physical chemist, some of those documents are quite full with formulas and other "non-standard" content.
I did get two iPads for my mother (so far) and I'm very convinced that was the best choice for her. She is also normal customer, only more stand-alone and less networked than I am.
I think we need to normalize what normal is. I don't know anyone, other than my geek friends, that have home networks. Most people, and by that I mean normal consumers, have 1 or perhaps 2 computers in their house. No network storage or the need to open up complicated Word documents. Scanners? They still make them? Printers have a long way to go on the tablets.
You probably fit into the more technical 25%, but your needs don't sound normal to me.
That is not to say your needs should not be met in the marketplace, and I'm glad you have found the right fit.
Well, if I remember correctly, original iPhone was hardly runaway success... and it took Android quite a few releases in both software and hardware to start taking off. Xbox was pretty much failure, contrary to Xbox 360. Apple TV had really slow start. Etc etc.
Expecting that new platform will always take off immediately is real insanity, IMHO. It does happen here and there - iPad, original Playstation... but those cases are still in minority.
In addition, there is a big waiting game in the background - Android OEMs might find it very hard to continue with what they do if Apple has their way with patents. I'm not expecting it, but I also would not be completely surprised to see a huge migration from Android to Windows platforms in foreseeable future.
The iPhone ushered in the next generation of smart phones. The Apple TV was/is still considered a hobby.
What did the Surface bring? The desktop experience in a tablet form has failed and has been failing for a decade.
I truly doubt Windows Mobile would overtake Android. MS will not give the OS away for free.
I understand what you're saying, and it makes sense in concept, but I disagree. My wife has an iPad 2 and I have a Nook HD+. The HD+ (awesome tablet for a $150 btw) is about as thin and light as the iPad Air and the difference that makes in contrast to the iPad 2 is jaw dropping. When a tablet is thin and light enough to hold by the edge in one hand with no feeling of stress it really changes how you relate to it. It's hard to describe... and Phil Schiller alluded to this in the keynote. So, wait until the iPad Air is available, and hold one in your hands. I think you'll be surprised. This isn't about bragging rights for "thinnest on the block." It really changes how you feel about using the device.
I will definitely try iPad Air when available here in NZ. I don't think I'll be surprised - I do use Sony eReader and Kobo Mini for reading on the go more often than tablet, so I do know advantages of light
But again, there is always that fine line between size and functionality that I always weight. iPad Air is approximately 2.5mm thinner than TPT2. This does not concern me much, I have long fingers and I like to have some volume to wrap them around. It is also 0.1kg lighter. This might be something for me to appreciate more, but I will be surprised to see this as more important than functionality for my usage scenarios.
But we will see. I am not ashamed to admit I was wrong, whenever I find myself there.
Comments
That's the appropriate way to review a Tablet PC from the PC era of computing. It's all about the checklist of PC features, not the experience.
Open in file explorer? Why? Just put everything in the cloud. The old PC paradigm is that you have to push files around a disk. You have a C: drive. Or
Microsoft made billions doing that in the 80s and 90s.
Agreed! I believe MS has done more damage to productivity in the last 3 decades than any other influence!
They became the largest SW company while producing utter crap!
Rather like Coke, McDonald's, Gen. Foods, Walmart, GM, Ford, Dell, HP, Sony, Samsung, etc., etc., utter crap.
My late CEO father said, businesses that can devise a way to sell their crap can make a lot of money. Just like the companies above.
Think V8 juice....which is the dregs of their soup manufacturing. Or licorice, which is the tar-like scrapings off the vats of candy manufacturing...
Fortunately, Apple is not this type of company...
This was DOA months ago, yet MS just keeps pouring money into *the same thing that's not working*.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.
Sad - would've thought they would have changed something after their experience with the Zune and the first Surface.
Or licorice, which is the tar-like scrapings off the vats of candy manufacturing...
Take that back right now, and say you are sorry!! :P
Nah. Outside of Apple fan base, there is no even remotely as much obsession with thinness, once you reach a threshold. I'd say Surface Pro 2 is questionable here (though it does play in a bit different league), but Surface 2 is thin enough not to be an issue for most of people (again, outside of Apple user base).
That being said, I think devices like Nokia's new Snapdragon powered RT tablet will be more interesting for general audience - as many or as little as they are. Nokia Lumia brand is quite strong outside of US these days (well, stronger than MS anyway, IMHO) and addition of LTE, better camera, colours... plus, Snapdragon 800 should be a bit better performer than Tegra 4, if I remember correctly.
But for my personal usage scenario, ThinkPad Tablet 2 turned to be best tablet fit for me... so I'm looking forward Bay Trail tablets with 8.1 Pro.
And there you've summed up many of the problems Microsoft (and Android) licensees have.
I don't know what Snapdragon 800, Tegra 4
and Bay Trail are. Much less do I care.
When I hold a tablet, I definitely care whether it is heavy or light.
I'm a normal consumer.
And there you've summed up many of the problems Microsoft (and Android) licensees have.
I don't know what Snapdragon 800, Tegra 4
and Bay Trail are. Much less do I care.
When I hold a tablet, I definitely care whether it is heavy or light.
I'm a normal consumer.
That is what has been holding me back. I want the big screen, but unlike a netbook turned tablet, I plan on holding my iPad, not sitting it on a desk to crank out spreadsheets. I want it light, and I am happy it is less wide as well. Very nice for holding without giving up the screen size.
Well, if I remember correctly, original iPhone was hardly runaway success... and it took Android quite a few releases in both software and hardware to start taking off. Xbox was pretty much failure, contrary to Xbox 360. Apple TV had really slow start. Etc etc.
Expecting that new platform will always take off immediately is real insanity, IMHO. It does happen here and there - iPad, original Playstation... but those cases are still in minority.
In addition, there is a big waiting game in the background - Android OEMs might find it very hard to continue with what they do if Apple has their way with patents. I'm not expecting it, but I also would not be completely surprised to see a huge migration from Android to Windows platforms in foreseeable future.
Take that back right now, and say you are sorry!! :P
Now that's funny!
I feel the same way about Coors light...it's sh*t beer, but I sure drink a lot of it!
There is no one mould to fit "normal customer" into.
Before I buy device like tablet, I figure out what I want to do with it. I can make some sacrifices in size/weight if I get more functionality I am looking for.
But in this case, I don't even have to make sacrifice. Last year's ThinkPad Tablet 2 was 9.9mm thick and 0.58kg heavy. Last year's iPad is 9.4mm thick and 0.65kg heavy. Have you tried holding this tablet, you could have found out for yourself. But if you prefer to base your opinions and decisions on lack of information, that is also your right.
I guess that ThinkPad wasn't in Best Buy. I had a play around with the tablets they had and liked the iPad Mini, so I bought it.
It was basically an impulse buy, and it came good.
Again, I'm a normal consumer. Like the majority of people, I want a tablet to look at content.
Again, like most normal consumers, I've got the laptop work gives me when I need to be productive.
http://mashable.com/2013/10/21/surface-pro-2-review/
Can't be too bad for a microsoft product to get a positive review on mashable!!
Steve Ballmer made a joke about how he brought his kids up right, to know enough not to use any Apple products. This idea probably pervades the entire company, and as a result, here we have a "tablet" designed by people who don't use iPads and probably have no idea about how most people use them. They've re-invented the ultra-book and called it innovation. The iPad Air is a thing of beauty. Surface is a monstrosity.
To your point, Microsoft is reaching out to a different client, a client they feel wants to be 'productive' with their tablet. Unfortunately, that is like trying to recycle the netbook by making it a tablet. Sure, there are those who take their tables to meetings, and I see more tables at meetings then notebooks, however, that is for very light use and because they don't want to carry their notebook around.
What Microsoft refuses to understand is the client, and most clients want a tablet to consume content, not to plug peripherals into, or to store gigabytes of data, or to process 1GB spreadsheets. They have real notebooks to do that or desktops. The vast majority of consumers want a tablet they can hold in their hand and have some fun.
Tables are the escape from work, not the extension of work from the office.
Nah. Outside of Apple fan base, there is no even remotely as much obsession with thinness, once you reach a threshold. I'd say Surface Pro 2 is questionable here (though it does play in a bit different league), but Surface 2 is thin enough not to be an issue for most of people (again, outside of Apple user base).
I understand what you're saying, and it makes sense in concept, but I disagree. My wife has an iPad 2 and I have a Nook HD+. The HD+ (awesome tablet for a $150 btw) is about as thin and light as the iPad Air and the difference that makes in contrast to the iPad 2 is jaw dropping. When a tablet is thin and light enough to hold by the edge in one hand with no feeling of stress it really changes how you relate to it. It's hard to describe... and Phil Schiller alluded to this in the keynote. So, wait until the iPad Air is available, and hold one in your hands. I think you'll be surprised. This isn't about bragging rights for "thinnest on the block." It really changes how you feel about using the device.
Type Cover: netbook-ish.
Software: f-ing nightmare.
I like to believe I am normal customer too, but I never believed in "one-size-fit-all" mantra.
I am also mostly using tablet to consume, but I like that I can access my media same way I'd do on laptop or desktop. My tablet fits into my existing home network, with no need to do what-so-ever adjustments to make network tablet-friendly. As in, browse my network shares and copy over (if I want to take tablet away) or open directly from the network; older TV shows, comics, eBooks mostly.
My wife grabs tablet to do quick review of assignments, MD and PhD chapters for students she is supervising.
We both print and scan on occasion to and from network attached printer/scanner.
And of course, usual stuff - web, email, FB...
Most of these things can be done from iOS and Android nowadays, but there are still some limitations in network access, compatible printers and scanners and, in my wife's case, full MS Office compatibility - she is physical chemist, some of those documents are quite full with formulas and other "non-standard" content.
I did get two iPads for my mother (so far) and I'm very convinced that was the best choice for her. She is also normal customer, only more stand-alone and less networked than I am.
OK, no argues here.
I like to believe I am normal customer too, but I never believed in "one-size-fit-all" mantra.
I am also mostly using tablet to consume, but I like that I can access my media same way I'd do on laptop or desktop. My tablet fits into my existing home network, with no need to do what-so-ever adjustments to make network tablet-friendly. As in, browse my network shares and copy over (if I want to take tablet away) or open directly from the network; older TV shows, comics, eBooks mostly.
My wife grabs tablet to do quick review of assignments, MD and PhD chapters for students she is supervising.
We both print and scan on occasion to and from network attached printer/scanner.
And of course, usual stuff - web, email, FB...
Most of these things can be done from iOS and Android nowadays, but there are still some limitations in network access, compatible printers and scanners and, in my wife's case, full MS Office compatibility - she is physical chemist, some of those documents are quite full with formulas and other "non-standard" content.
I did get two iPads for my mother (so far) and I'm very convinced that was the best choice for her. She is also normal customer, only more stand-alone and less networked than I am.
I think we need to normalize what normal is. I don't know anyone, other than my geek friends, that have home networks. Most people, and by that I mean normal consumers, have 1 or perhaps 2 computers in their house. No network storage or the need to open up complicated Word documents. Scanners? They still make them? Printers have a long way to go on the tablets.
You probably fit into the more technical 25%, but your needs don't sound normal to me.
That is not to say your needs should not be met in the marketplace, and I'm glad you have found the right fit.
The iPhone ushered in the next generation of smart phones. The Apple TV was/is still considered a hobby.
What did the Surface bring? The desktop experience in a tablet form has failed and has been failing for a decade.
I truly doubt Windows Mobile would overtake Android. MS will not give the OS away for free.
I will definitely try iPad Air when available here in NZ. I don't think I'll be surprised - I do use Sony eReader and Kobo Mini for reading on the go more often than tablet, so I do know advantages of light
But again, there is always that fine line between size and functionality that I always weight. iPad Air is approximately 2.5mm thinner than TPT2. This does not concern me much, I have long fingers and I like to have some volume to wrap them around. It is also 0.1kg lighter. This might be something for me to appreciate more, but I will be surprised to see this as more important than functionality for my usage scenarios.
But we will see. I am not ashamed to admit I was wrong, whenever I find myself there.