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If you’re excited by Microsoft’s rather slim and surprisingly sexy Surface tablets and would like to relive the thrilling launch event, the entire keynote presentation from late last night is now available for online viewing.
Here’s the video, which contains some great Steve Ballmer action plus the full unveiling of its pair of new Windows tablets. Skip the first ten minutes if you can live without the potted history of Microsoft and just want to get on with the Surface stuff.
Hard not to get a bit excited about this brave new launch from Microsoft, if only for that lovely keyboard/case and kickstand combo. [Slashgear]
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I cannot look at Mr Ballmer without seeing an image of him in my mind, shouting “Developers Developers” ad infinitum.
I always get this one stuck in my head when Mr. Developers does a presentation..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-PXRqMRiBo
I think it looks very nice. I’ve thought for a long time now that MS should bring out a range of their own hardware. An in-house hardware/software combination would help them keep up with the great user experience of Apple’s products. This is definitely a step in the right direction.
14 mins 05 seconds – Windows Surface goes wrong, presenter has to run back to grab a replacement. Surely not a good sign. Let’s hope their testers have worked overtime to stamp out as many bugs as humanly possible; this way they can start building a solid reputation of reliability on this new line too.
Although I feel they took some heavy inspiration from Apple such as the magsafe power connector, smartcover, their keynote and videos done in the same manner and their values for what is important. aka they were stressing software and hardware integration from the same company and much more just really reminded me of apples motives. BUT this is very good, finally another company gets it! And they have improved on so many aspects that competitors have failed in.
So after 2 years in the wilderness they produce this? An Intel processor, a 16:9 aspect ratio display, a desktop OS, a kickstand and a stylus. Innovation, huh? On top of this, didn’t they do the same thing over 10 years ago when Bill Gates introduced the Tablet PC, with a stylus but keeping the desktop OS feeling? How did that do?
I’m not sure the Pro is a tablet but I guess MS have to call it that or else end up competing directly with their OEM’s. To me it is an Ultrabook (of sorts) and as it is rumoured to be about the same price, I’d prefer the Ultrabook.
And battery life? No mention of it so can we assume 4 – 6 hours given the architecture used in the Pro? Not to mention the confusion a bog standard consumer will have with the RT or Pro version, expecting an iPad-like experience. Ivy Bridge? What’s that?
I hope this is a success as it will spur on other manufacturer’s to take a greater slice of Apple’s massive market share and also to improve the iPad … but I have my doubts.
Impressive work MS. I wasn’t expecting a product this promising, can’t wait for the Pro.
“Movies and entertainment work great as well…. oops…. eh?…. eh??…. hang on….”
So when my own Surface tablet refuses to work for movies and entertainment can I pop into my nearest stockist and grab another one straight off the shelf that works? Or will I have to wait a month for mine to be fixed?
Aside from that presentation glitch, I applaud Microsoft for pioneering this design. Typing on glass has always bothered me, along with how limited an iPad or Droid tablet is in terms of its functionality. Current tablets almost seem wasteful when you compare their physical size and hardware spec to their limited OS.
Of course, most users will still go for the “Bobby Basic” approach to tablets and computing and just buy an iPad because it’s simple and they have already invested so much money in music and apps from the iTunes store.
Except everyone who doesn’t have or want an iPhone. Which is a lot of people.
True Kauzion, but Microsoft are quite late to the tablet market and I just have this gut feeling that the people who want a tablet have already bought a tablet, either an iPad or Droid tab. Still, there is always a market in people who are looking to replace their old laptop, and people like me and yourself who don’t want or like Apple products.
As a UI/UX designer I love and loathe Apple in equal measures. I love a lot of aspects of Apple’s UI design and how fluid and responsive their various operating systems are, but I completely disagree with their company philosophy. They only seem to make products that cater to frivolous casual users, who desire form and function in equal measures, and who are happy to only use the software that Apple says they can use.
I much prefer Microsoft’s philosophy with the Surface tablet. As the presentation said, Windows is by far the most flexible, diverse and widely used OS around the world, which is a huge achievement in itself when compared to OS X. and now they are going one step further still and building a touch interface on top of all that and even offering their own seemingly well-conceived hardware to go with it.
I just hope people appreciate the sheer scope of the Surface tablet and OS when compared to the iPad, and don’t just see another shiny device next to Apple’s even more shiny device.
The same analogy always springs to mind when comparing OS X to Windows. OS X is like a socialite celebrity or member of the royal family who does a lot of charity work and make themselves look great in the process, but then they have all the time and money in the world to do so, a bit like Apple’s OS X ecosystem which has few ties to business systems and bespoke software. Windows, on the other hand, reminds me of the 9 to 5 worker who does a lot of charity work, but also still has time to hold down a full time job, but gets little to no recognition for this flexibility as they don’t look as good or get publicity for doing it.
@ Playmobil
Yes it’s still beta software, but come on. I want to give Microsoft a chance and the benefit of the doubt with Surface, but they really should have cobbled together a fool-proof version of the tablet that will definitely work for the purposes of the presentation to avoid making themselves look stupid. The presenter’s reaction to it was also terrible – “Eh?….Eh??…” You shouldn’t react like that to your own product, especially if you are the lead of the Surface team and in the process of presenting it to the world!
Wait, did you just say there was a slight glitch in software that is still in Beta testing, on new hardware? :O The thought of it…
Thing is this will prob be better than the ipad, same as alot of androids are better than the iphone, but i cant see Apple loosing their market share as people are too iStupid and for no reason other than a cheapo pc they had a billion years ago and never looked after was a bit slow and full of viruses after they spent all hours looking on porn sites..
i think this will be the tablet to get and i love the touch KB/cover and i love its HDMI and USB over the iSocket and i love most that its a desktop not tablet OS and thus i will be able to install full programs and not just apps.. lightroom will be great on this..
This apears to be a very good attempt by Microsoft but there are a few things that bug me
1. Windows+USB=viruses
2. Amazing Keyboard – Maybe but the bluetooth apple keyboard for the laptops works on the iPad yet no-one uses it. Tablets are designed to be used everywhere, so when i need to use the keyboard without a desk or table this will be impossible to use.
3. Apps like photoshop will need to massively downsized to work on a tablet version of windows as it simply wont run it. You only have to look at netbooks to see how little power they actually have.
4. Windows has always been heavy, unless it has been radically changed and streamlined then it will run like a dead dog
5. Without an apps store containing all the apps you will need the apps will be installed manually just as other windows system which is not exactly step forward.
6. They are 4 years late to the party and this keyboard and metro interface is not a game changer and will not make people sell off the iPads to buy these tablets
Personally this is going to be another Zune, great idea, just not going to set the world alight. Sorry Microsoft
1. Windows + USB only equals viruses if people aren’t looking at what they transfer or install.
2. I think the difference between the bluetooth keyboards and the one for the surface is that the surface keyboard is attached so you don’t have to carry around another accessory.
3. Surely if you want to run graphics intensive programs, you’d do it on a proper desktop/laptop rather than a tablet computer.
4. Sounds like you’ve made up your mind already that your going to hate it. Windows Phone runs really well on lower end hardware so there is a chance that Microsoft have sorted themselves out and got the Metro UI to work properly.
5. It’ll run Metro so it’s safe to say there will be some sort of application store.
On point 3:
Doesn’t Windows 8 offer a Metro AND classic windows interface, for when you just need a normal non-touch operating system? Unless you buy the RT version of the tablet of course.
On point 1:
I would much prefer a USB port and the possiblity of viruses than no USB port. A USB port offers so many advantages, such as instant flash storage and the chance to attach any peripheral, such as a mouse. Viruses can be picked up more readily from dodgey websites anyway.
This product isn’t designed to get people’s money out of their wallets in the quickest time possible and into Microsoft’s bank account, and then confine them to services which involve giving more money directly to Microsoft in exchange for apps. It’s designed to be a product which is all things to all men, just like Windows OS, but still embrace modern technologies and design.