Introducing Microsoft Surface - Windows 8 first tablet and a full Microsoft hardware/software solution!

[famousringo]

WiiBox3 said:

rocketpig said:

2. It's too big. 10.6"? Portability is key here, Microsoft. Make it small-ish. The iPad is a great size, as are most 10" Android tablets.

2. Agreed, it is big, but there are a lot of people that have been hoping for a larger tablet. 10.6" will be a much better size for brousing the net. Though I do agree that there will be people turned off by the size. Personally, after my iPad1, I want for my next tablet to have a larger screen.

A 10.6" screen at 16:9 aspect ratio is only 5% larger than a 9.7" screen at 4:3, so not really that much larger in those dimensions. The thickness and weight of the device are more of a concern. The RT version is quite comparable to the new iPad, but the Pro version is almost 50% thicker and 40% heavier than the new iPad. That's really quite a bit, and possibly enough to make that thing a lousy to use off a desk.

Setting any software issues aside, my concern is that the ergonomics of the kickstand + cover combo, while providing a superior experience on a desk, will provide an inferior experience pretty much everywhere else. Can't be sure until I try, but imagining using that setup on my lap seems terrible. The aspect ratio of the screen alone will make this device awkward to use in portrait orientation (how I do nearly all my reading, whether books, comics, magazines or web). And while Apple's cover provides a handy grip if used while standing or prone, you're going to want Microsoft's cover folded away where it's useless (and adding weight) or completely removed.

This is a clever alternative to the Transformer concept of a device which is both laptop and tablet. I'm just not sure that it's a superior one.