Microsoft Surface with Windows 8 RT Priced, Starts at $499

[Irony]

128gb storage, ivy i5, 4gb ram, full size usb 3.0. its the tablet to end all tablets!

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Plus RT will have Office 2013 oob.





PCMAG posted a comparison table between Surface and iPad


http://www1.pcmag.com/media/images/361928-surface-with-windows-rt-vs-apple-ipad.jpg?thumb=y

Surface RT vs iPad
$499 = $499
1.4 GHz quad-core > 1.0 GHz dual-core
2 GB RAM > 1 GB RAM
32 GB storage > 16 GB storage ($599 to upgrade to 32 GB)
10.6" > 9.7"
1366x768 < 2048x1536
802.11abgn > 802.11bgn
720p front cam > "VGA" front cam
720p rear cam < 1080p rear cam
USB 2.0, microSDXC, headset, mini DisplayPort > 30-pin dock connector (going obsolete), headphone jack
31.5 Wh < 42.5 Wh battery

I think it's pretty clear you get a lot more bang for your buck from equally priced Surface compared to the latest and greatest iPad. The only two major advantages iPad has over Surface is the bigger battery and the higher pixel density in the screen. It isn't clear which packages is more power efficient (probably iPad because Tegras are quite hungry) but, even though the iPad has a fancy screen, it doesn't have the GPU power to back it up like the Surface does. I think, for 2D content, the iPad wins but 3D content, the Surface wins.

I'm very certain Microsoft can and will sell the Surface for less than $500. They are launching at $500 to see how it competes with iPad in the same prace bracket. If Surface launches with a splat, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the price drop to $400 or even $300 which makes the choice it a no-brainer.

Surface Pro is going to compete with laptops and, seeing what price Surface debuted for, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Surface Pro go for $1000.

If you are building a "Metro style" app you have to use their store no matter what platform you are targetting.

This is a huge turn-off for developers like me that program pro-bono. I hope they reevaluate this policy and, instead, adopt an authentication program not unlike Games for Windows Live certification. I'm certain they do it for DRM sake but Microsoft needs to realize that DRM is unpopular--businesses always win when they choose customers over providers.

 

[bostonbuddy]

I'll be interested when the pro debuts, altho w/ this pricing 1k for the pro seems likely and that might be more then I'll be willing to spend.

 

[Mathragh]

For all you designers and illustrators out here: The presentation that was given a while ago when surface was introduced mentioned that the surface pro had a stylus added to the design, and that the touch controller registering that stylus had a way higher resolution than the display itself.

I'm not claiming to be an expert on design/illustrations, but I cant really remember any other tablet/touchscreen having those same specifications. So i guess that íf you wanted something to do graphical work on, the surface pro would would atleast better then the average tablet/ipad.

 

[Drone]

Interesting news here, Microsoft Surface RT 32GB models sold out, back order pushed to 3 weeks

 

[ELPCU]

Surface RT vs iPad
$499 = $499
1.4 GHz quad-core > 1.0 GHz dual-core
2 GB RAM > 1 GB RAM
32 GB storage > 16 GB storage ($599 to upgrade to 32 GB)
10.6" > 9.7"
1366x768 < 2048x1536
802.11abgn > 802.11bgn
720p front cam > "VGA" front cam
720p rear cam < 1080p rear cam
USB 2.0, microSDXC, headset, mini DisplayPort > 30-pin dock connector (going obsolete), headphone jack
31.5 Wh < 42.5 Wh battery

I think it's pretty clear you get a lot more bang for your buck from equally priced Surface compared to the latest and greatest iPad. The only two major advantages iPad has over Surface is the bigger battery and the higher pixel density in the screen. It isn't clear which packages is more power efficient (probably iPad because Tegras are quite hungry) but, even though the iPad has a fancy screen, it doesn't have the GPU power to back it up like the Surface does. I think, for 2D content, the iPad wins but 3D content, the Surface wins.

I'm very certain Microsoft can and will sell the Surface for less than $500. They are launching at $500 to see how it competes with iPad in the same prace bracket. If Surface launches with a splat, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the price drop to $400 or even $300 which makes the choice it a no-brainer.

Surface Pro is going to compete with laptops and, seeing what price Surface debuted for, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Surface Pro go for $1000.

How 'bout comparing Surface vs. Asus Transformer Infinity or Nexus 7?

I cannot see any reason to choose surface over asus or Nexus 7,
especially Nexus 7 is too cheap to even argue.



I don't care how much battery capacity put in, if they aren't last long due to power consumption of heavier OS. So At least we need to see what is happening after it comes out. and 32GB doesn't tell much, cuz window RT takes more than 12GB by itself. I don't care camera spec as well, becuz I don't see any practical use with big fat tablet. There is still pros, but other android tablets already has that.

hardware spec isn't everything. If it is, then Android should already killed Apple.

In terms of martket share, Android tablets were totally dominated by iPad.
I'm not a big fan of apple, but I think the price of Surface is ridiculus.
I feels MS need to set price much more aggressive(like 350-ish) to take some market share pie away from iPad.


If this is window 8, it will be totally different story.
However with Window 8 RT, which cannot run and x86 base programs,
I cannot see any reason to choose Surface over competitive Android Tablets except free Microsoft Office App.

Yes, I know it is growing fast, but window app store is still weak, and there are All iPad accessory around my local store while not much for Android or something else.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Surface competes with iPad. There is no aspect of the Nexus 7 tablet that competes with Surface except sharing a Tegra 3 processor. e.g. screen is 3" smaller, storage capacity is 2-4 times less, half the RAM, no DisplayPort out, etc. The $200/$250 price tag matches the spec differences.

Microsoft won't directly compete with Android (at least in the near future)--that's up to the OEMs and whether or not they think they can compete.


Surface is superior in almost every way to the iPad and at the same price. There's no reason why it shouldn't compete.

 

[Irony]

How 'bout comparing Surface vs. Asus Transformer Infinity or Nexus 7?

or Transformer Prime. If I do upgrade from mine, it will probably be the surface pro, and not for several months at the earliest.

 

[remixedcat]

no vmware view for it... but there's vmware view for ipad....
not as many apps for winRT as ipad.... not gonna work for enterprises that don't have the cash to spend on the surface pro.

I think they need to lower the price 100 bucks... then it would be in line to be a consumption device to compete with the ipad.

everyone was hopeing to score one of these for 250-350.... that is an ideal price point for many. 500 is way too much to pay considering the lack of winRT apps avalible right now desipte the DP being accessible more then a year ago.


businesses might get the pro, however it will be as much an an ultrabook so they will just spring for one of those instead.

 

[Easy Rhino]

when the ipad first came out, apple haters were saying how useless a device it was and how stupid because nobody needs one. (of course those people live in their mom's basement and work bagging groceries so how would they know what real people need).

now you have a half dozen companies creating their own tablet devices with varying degrees of usage at varying price points and it seems now even the apple haters love their tablets so long as it doesn't say apple on it. let's be clear, apple leads the way in innovation and they have the sales figures to prove it. everyone else is just riding their coattails to a decent profit.

 

[naoan]

How much space does the $499 New iPad 16GB give you after the OS install?

Remind you again why you would want it.... well, its a much more capable tablet when compared to a iPad, thats why.
To the people saying its too expensive, you need to read the specs, understand its made directly by Microsoft, and that its not just a typical $200 Nexus 7 type tablet. It's way more capable than any tablet out on the market today. Surface isn't a tablet, its more like a tablet-laptop hybrid. I'm excited for Microsoft and Windows 8. I want to see the Surface Pro pricing!

How much more capable is it compared to el cheapo Nexus 7 and why would I (or anybody) want that capability? Is it unique to WinRT? Can't I get it simpler, easier or cheaper on the widely available ecosystem of Android or iOS?

Why is it a tablet-laptop hybrid when it can't even run x86 app? What makes it oh so great?

Enlighten me.

 

[TheMailMan78]

when the ipad first came out, apple haters were saying how useless a device it was and how stupid because nobody needs one. (of course those people live in their mom's basement and work bagging groceries so how would they know what real people need).

now you have a half dozen companies creating their own tablet devices with varying degrees of usage at varying price points and it seems now even the apple haters love their tablets so long as it doesn't say apple on it. let's be clear, apple leads the way in innovation and they have the sales figures to prove it. everyone else is just riding their coattails to a decent profit.

Apple didn't invent tablets. They just made them shiny. I have some brass polish in my kitchen. Am I an innovator too?

The Surface is gonna be way bigger in a corporate environment then the iPad could ever be.

 

[Easy Rhino]

Apple didn't invent tablets. They just made them shiny. I have some brass polish in my kitchen. Am I an innovator too?

The Surface is gonna be way bigger in a corporate environment then the iPad could ever be.

apple made the tablet USEFUL for the every day person. that is what separates a profitable company from a bankrupt company. nobody was mass marketing tablets because nobody was willing to do the market research or felt it was a too risky venture. apple saw an opportunity where nobody else did and engineered a fabulous product that some 30 million people now own. they did A LOT more than just take a tablet from 2004 and make it shiny. you would have to be completely computer illiterate to think that is the case.

 

[TheMailMan78]

apple made the tablet USEFUL for the every day person. that is what separates a profitable company from a bankrupt company. nobody was mass marketing tablets because nobody was willing to do the market research or felt it was a too risky venture. apple saw an opportunity where nobody else did and engineered a fabulous product that some 30 million people now own. they did A LOT more than just take a tablet from 2004 and make it shiny. you would have to be completely computer illiterate to think that is the case.

The only thing Apple does really well is marketing. Thats it. iPad is marketing. The one thing MS does really bad is marketing. Surface is a tool. MS will market it as a toy. However I'm willing to bet money you will see the surface WAY more in a corporate environment then you will the iToy......err iPad. The Surface is for reps in the field who need to SEAMLESSLY interact with corporate....oh and it has Angry Birds too. Why do you think they can charge so much more for it other then better hardware? BECAUSE THEY KNOW Businesses have been SCREAMING for a MS tablet. So I ask you if someone was willing to give you a Surface Pro or an iPad which would you choose?

 

[pr0n Inspector]

Using the completely differrent PRO as an example in a news thread about the useless RT, very convincing argument.

 

[Easy Rhino]

The only thing Apple does really well is marketing. Thats it. iPad is marketing. The one thing MS does really bad is marketing. Surface is a tool. MS will market it as a toy. However I'm willing to bet money you will see the surface WAY more in a corporate environment then you will the iToy......err iPad. The Surface is for reps in the field who need to SEAMLESSLY interact with corporate....oh and it has Angry Birds too. Why do you think they can charge so much more for it other then better hardware? BECAUSE THEY KNOW Businesses have been SCREAMING for a MS tablet. So I ask you if someone was willing to give you a Surface Pro or an iPad which would you choose?

i would take the ipad(which i already own one) over a windows POS because I like the interface, the OS, the weight, the responsiveness, and the design. obviously i can't compare those attributes to the windows POS yet because i havn't held one and it took M$ 4 years to come up with their own tablet. sorry too little too late.

and since when is having a toy like an ipad wrong? isn't that what tpu is all about? we buy computer components we certainly don't need because we like them. they are our toys. people like toys so whether they use it for work or play who cares?

 

[ELPCU]

Surface competes with iPad. There is no aspect of the Nexus 7 tablet that competes with Surface except sharing a Tegra 3 processor. e.g. screen is 3" smaller, storage capacity is 2-4 times less, half the RAM, no DisplayPort out, etc. The $200/$250 price tag matches the spec differences.

Microsoft won't directly compete with Android (at least in the near future)--that's up to the OEMs and whether or not they think they can compete.


Surface is superior in almost every way to the iPad and at the same price. There's no reason why it shouldn't compete.

U still don't understand my point?

I know MS wants to compete with iPad, not Android. But we are in competitive market.
If customer bought one tablet, no matter Android or iPad he bought, he will unlikely buy another tablet such as Surface. And that makes competition. Yes, Nexus 7 might not make 'direct' competition, but If I buy Nexus 7, I will not going to buy other tablet for a while. AND nexus 7 is cheap enough to choose it over other 10" high spec tablets

I see no reason(except free MS office) to buy Surface over Android tablets.
If you want to see a direct competition from Android; There is Asus Transformer tablet series.


And Android OEM company used exactly same strategy like MS's current plan: having better HW spec, and Window 8 "RT" like OS. and they totally bombed by iPad in term of market share. It seems same thing will happens to MS if they don't make it cheaper. IT CAN'T COMPETE against iPad with this price. You said it can or it will prevail, but then question is Why could'nt Android destroy apple already?

 

[bostonbuddy]

they did A LOT more than just take a tablet from 2004 and make it shiny.

your right they took their ipod touch and made it bigger instead.

I'll give apple alot more credit for the iphone then the ipad, The fact that they didn't add any functionality to the ios is dissapointing, it should have shipped w/ osx or a completly new os.

 

[Octavean]

Online retailers are already taking preorders for Windows 8 tablets running off of Ivy Bridge and Atom hardware. The was a price range for the models I looked at.

For example, the Acer Iconia W700:

W700-6607
W700-6691
W700-6465
W700P-6459

I forget the price rang but I think it was about ~$800 to ~$1200. The lowest price one was a Core i3 I believe and the highest price model was a Core i5. I’d have to double check though.

The Acer Iconia W510 uses an Intel Atom Z2760 Clover Trail. There was a price range here too.

Anyway, Microsoft Surface Pro pricing will likely be close to Ivy Bridge Windows 8 tablets that are already citing their prices. Im guessing ~$800 at least. If it comes in significantly lower then that I would be surprised. I'm not talking ~$750 but ~$600 because ~$600 would be shocking IMO.

 

[Drone]

“You can’t appreciate it, without seeing it. Go to a store” says ... Bill Gates

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I'm very certain Microsoft can and will sell the Surface for less than $500. They are launching at $500 to see how it competes with iPad in the same prace bracket. If Surface launches with a splat, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the price drop to $400 or even $300 which makes the choice it a no-brainer.

Looks like I was partially right: Surface's High Profit Margin Reveals Microsoft's Ape-Apple Strategy

They estimate Microsoft is making about $300 per sale. What remains to be seen if Microsoft reduces the price to increase volume and really put pressure on iPad. The article points out a potential reason for this: Microsoft has priced itself as a premium product so as to not drive out its Windows 8 RT competitors (Dell, Samsung, Asus, etc.). Microsoft has internal competition it has to watch out for, unlike Apple.

 

[Kantastic]

The article points out a potential reason for this: Microsoft has priced itself as a premium product so as to not drive out its Windows 8 RT competitors (Dell, Samsung, Asus, etc.). Microsoft has internal competition it has to watch out for, unlike Apple.

It's okay because it's Microsoft and not Apple. An iPad for $500 is unreasonable, but when Microsoft adopts both the same pricing policy with their higher-than-Apple profit margin and the same "walled garden" policy with regards to the Windows Store, all is merry.

Hoorah!

 

[Easy Rhino]

the reviews for both the surface rt and pro are pretty bad. once again microsoft created a product for a niche that does not exist.

 

[Frick]

the reviews for both the surface rt and pro are pretty bad. once again microsoft created a product for a niche that does not exist.

Oh it does exist, it's the execution that has come under fire.

A second generation of the Surface Pro would probably be excellent.

 

[Mathragh]

I'd say that Microsoft is kinda stuck in the place they're in at the moment for pricing. Any higher and people would complain even more(justified ofc). But as FordGT also said, they just cant price it much lower because they'll outcompete the OEM's normally selling windows products.

I'd say that if anyone was to blame, it would be the OEM's who are selling stuff with windows on it.
Apparently those OEM's are so inefficient, that Microsoft who has arguably way less experience in manufacturing of devices can so easily outperform them. I mean, I've never heard OEM's like ACER or dell having such a big margins, while usually they also offer way less in the way of build quality compared to the surface tablets(think of all the plasticky stuff out there).

Edit: Thanks for the link btw, interesting read