Microsoft put its first Surface RT tablets up for pre-order yesterday. Lowest price is $499, which buys 2 GB RAM, 32 GB flash storage, a fast nVidia processor, and a 10 inch, 1366x768 color touchscreen. Add $100 if you want the screen cover with built in keypad. The screen cover with real keys costs $120. A model with 64 GB storage costs $100 more.
Compared to Apple's 2012 iPad, the Surface tablet offers twice as much RAM and storage memory, but a lower resolution screen. The processor is similar to Apple's A5x. Observations about features like battery life and screen quality will have to wait until the Surface tablets are delivered.
The Surface tablet includes Windows 8 RT, a web browser, email software, and versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. Apple offers its own word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software for iPad. And the iPad constellation of 3rd party apps far surpasses what will be available on the Surface. I don't know of a single third party program ported to run under Windows RT. I suppose we'll hear more about 3rd party software when Windows RT is formally introduced on October 26.
The web pages for online ordering of the Surface tablets included a strange announcement. Microsoft sells its Office suite for RT as a "Home and Student" product. The Surface tablet owner is specifically prohibited from using the software for any commercial or non-profit activities. Businesses that want to use the Office for RT programs will have to purchase an additional software license, the cost of which is not immediately known. Here's a link that explains the situation.
http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-offi...-move-to-a-commercial-use-license-7000005893/
Alongside the Windows 8 RT tablets like the Surface, On Oct 26 Microsoft will roll out Windows 8 on tablets from Lenovo, ASUS, Acer, Samsung, HP, Dell, and more. These models will use Intel processors, and will be compatible with the wide world of Windows desktop applications. Prices will be higher, probably starting at $650, rather than $500 for the Surface tablet. Microsoft will wait 90 days (until end of January 2013) to release its own Windows 8 tablet, called the Surface Pro.
Compared to Apple's 2012 iPad, the Surface tablet offers twice as much RAM and storage memory, but a lower resolution screen. The processor is similar to Apple's A5x. Observations about features like battery life and screen quality will have to wait until the Surface tablets are delivered.
The Surface tablet includes Windows 8 RT, a web browser, email software, and versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. Apple offers its own word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software for iPad. And the iPad constellation of 3rd party apps far surpasses what will be available on the Surface. I don't know of a single third party program ported to run under Windows RT. I suppose we'll hear more about 3rd party software when Windows RT is formally introduced on October 26.
The web pages for online ordering of the Surface tablets included a strange announcement. Microsoft sells its Office suite for RT as a "Home and Student" product. The Surface tablet owner is specifically prohibited from using the software for any commercial or non-profit activities. Businesses that want to use the Office for RT programs will have to purchase an additional software license, the cost of which is not immediately known. Here's a link that explains the situation.
http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-offi...-move-to-a-commercial-use-license-7000005893/
Alongside the Windows 8 RT tablets like the Surface, On Oct 26 Microsoft will roll out Windows 8 on tablets from Lenovo, ASUS, Acer, Samsung, HP, Dell, and more. These models will use Intel processors, and will be compatible with the wide world of Windows desktop applications. Prices will be higher, probably starting at $650, rather than $500 for the Surface tablet. Microsoft will wait 90 days (until end of January 2013) to release its own Windows 8 tablet, called the Surface Pro.
