At least the Surface box tells you what you need to know...

@OP:
I'm neutral on your issues about the x86 architecture, but I agree on those about price and Windows RT.
I accept using Windows for its wide and open marketplace and the huge legacy it created thanks to it. So, while I could accept using a closed marketplace on a specialized device like a console, I can't find a good reason to accept such a disadvantageous thing on general purpose devices like PCs, notebooks and tablets.

BTW I put limits also to the few closed marketplaces I can accept, they must not have region lock: I can barely suffer it on DVDs because I mainly watch movies in Italian, but I cannot accept it on games, because I often prefer to play them in English, and I want to be free to choose the American version, if I want, instead of the English one or playing the EU one in English, not for language reasons, I actually prefer British English, if spoken clearly, but for censorship reasons, I want to be able to always choose an uncensored version, if it exists, wherever it was released. On PC patches can bypass censorship if there isn't any other way, but on closed devices it's not possible without modding, and anyway, I prefer to give my money for the uncensored version, if it exists, I want to be able to vote against censorship with my money.

I think RT makes sense. Yeah the ecosystem is not there yet. But for a lot of home users, all they need is a tablet for net surfing, media, games and a computer for running Word/Excel. This gives them both. I don't think MS is going to give up on the RT, so I am sure that the userbase will come, leading to a flood of apps and better app quality.

As for the laggy apps the reviews talk about, it was the same way when I got my HTC Evo. The Android app selection sucked at the time and many of the apps out there were not coded very well (Crashing all of the time, or freezing my phone) over the last two years the app selection has become robust and most of the popular apps do not seem to have many bugs. This will be the same for RT, IMHO.

Windows Surface RT is not a device for me... I have a first gen iPad that I loved for six months, and it has gathered dust for the last few years. But many people love and use the iPad and other tablets on a daily basis. I do plan on getting a full Windows 8 laptop convertible sometime next year though, since my current laptop is getting close to giving up the ghost. I'm hoping in six months or so the prices start dropping on the convertible laptops.

Why are companies still using USB 2.0? I have a USB 3.0 device that is bottlenecked by the damn computers. Next Gen PS4 and Xbox better utilise the better transfer speeds.

Good post. I agree with all points.

I think RT is part of the big picture for M$. Imo, the average consumer would buy this tablet thinking it's "Windows" until they try to download some program or understand what the box says. M$ is trying to blur the lines by making everything look similar. RT, 8, Phone 8 all look the same and it's more than just trying to have devices connected in an ecosystem, in my opinion. They have even changed their logo.

The Surface, and other RT tablets are good for the industry, but I agree that it may end up like the Zune. The Surface is about $100 overpriced.

Edit: As far as the Pro is concerned, unless the RT sees a price reduction prior to, it'll be similar to the current Window 7 slates we have in price. M$ did say expect Ultrabook pricing.

we will see what happens with the pro, and surface pricing in general.
Luckily we can just ignore surface for the time being and still get a piece of the windows 8 goodness.

Something like this is much more attractive at its price point than the surface - http://www.ncix.ca/products/index.php?sku=77123&vpn=X202E%2DDH31T%2DCA&manufacture=ASUS&promoid=1481

The asus and acer x86 tablets at 499 also are solid value as is the Lenovo 11.6 intel atom tablet for 599.

You're right: it was premature for me to label it a complete failure.  On the litigation front, I think you might have it backwards.  Google was never directly involved in any mobile lawsuits until after they bought Motorola (whereupon they inherited all of Motorola's existing litigation -- as I mentioned Motorola was suing somewhat recklessly).  What they have experienced since then is largely a string of losses in both offensive and defensive cases (Microsoft has been particularly successful here).  Just two weeks ago Microsoft launched a new suit against Google over maps in Motorola phones: this is a fight Google would not have been involved in if they hadn't stepped into the ring.  Google filing new lawsuits isn't really a good thing: their mobile patents are largely standards-essential, and they are now being investigated for not licensing them on fair terms.  It's not clear that Motorola standing alone would have fallen under the same level of scrutiny.

Solid deal in that link!

If battery life is similar, I'd see myself buying a touch screen ultrabook before the Surface Win8 Pro. That's from a hardware format perspective, seeing as how I wouldn't use the Surface without the keyboard cover. Might save a bit on weight, but for regular keyboard use, I'd rather have a laptop keyboard than the soft carbon contact keypads I'm assuming the Surface uses.

I'd have to compare price/spec/performance ratios before making the call though.

If nothing else, Win8 will usher in the new generation of standardized touchscreen enabled PCs, which is something I've wanted to see from Apple for about 1-2 years running.