iPad vs "the rest"

That 40% faster may have been refer to the WiFi compared to iPad3. The only time you can take advantage that is if you have 50mbps or faster internet and your router supports ABGN MIMO. Other than that, the only other time you can take advantage of that faster WiFi is if you're using something like AirDroid or SwiFTP to transfer files between the KF and your home PC. Too bad it doesn't have MicroSD slot or rear camera. I'd gladly pay $100 more if it has both of those built in.

 

Mac Rumors: Apple Mac iOS Rumors and News You Care About currently has some rumors about the starting price of the iPad Mini being $329 and a tweaked/revised "new iPad" w/the Lightning connector.

I saw this ad for Surface as part of my recording of NBC's Revolution on Monday:

I like the ad but I wonder how well or not well Surface will do.

One can pre-order Surface via Surface by Microsoft, Pre-Order the New Windows Tablet. Even though the 32 gig version is $499, apparently per Here’s why there is no 16GB Microsoft Surface: Windows RT with Office is nearly 12x bigger than iOS, you'll only have 20 gb available. The screen's also much lower res the iPad 3 aka "the new iPad". Hmmmm....

 

Surface tablet full OS is Apple's real problem. It will replace laptops while providing tablet and notebook functionality with full OS. Apple laptops and tablets will be in danger because Apple will not make a full OS tablet in order to preserve its laptop business.

The Surface tablets are priced the same as iPads, lower rez screen but same as people had with iPad2 while Surface provides USB and SD ports which are more important as they were probably the most requested feature for iPads but Apple won't do that either as it wants all data transfer via iCloud/Tunes.

 

Linux/unix?

Near as I can tell, Microsoft and Google also want to force 'the cloud' down the throats of new computer owners. In effect "the cloud" might as well be called "AOL-II." Regardless, we've managed to resist the temptation with our Macs and iPad.

Bob Wilson

 

Windows RT is priced like the iPad and functions like the iPad. The Pro is the full OS and priced like a mid to high end laptop. I haven't really looked into it but can the Pro run RT apps as well?
I just got a Galaxy Note 10.1 3G+WiFi. Since it's not an AT&T device, I just added a dumb phone unlimited data plan for $10. It's tethering capable out of the box w/o rooting or CWM. So far I haven't got any notices from AT&T for being on a wrong data plan or unauthorized tethering. So far, I'm loving this tablet.

 

nice jacket

 

^^^
I actually have early version of one of the above. I received it from my former work a LONG time ago. It's a cool geeky vest but it's very easy to accidentally "lose" stuff by leaving them in pockets. Worse yet is to leave stuff in a pocket and then run it thru the washer.

Back on topic:
5 big things that baffle me about Microsoft Surface RT | ZDNet

 

90% of that commercial shows people using the Surface with their keyboard cover thing. 5% shows them hooking it up to their keyboard in various ways. The last 5% shows them moving the surface around while there's a static image on the screen. Only 1 brief shot shows them scrolling through something (you can't tell what) without the keyboard attached.

So, is the keyboard required? I already know the answer is no, but from that commercial, I would think the answer was yes. Why are they pushing a keyboard so hard? Is it because this is really a product closer to a laptop than a tablet?

I've heard for a couple of years now that the iPad has been cannibalizing PC sales while at the same time helping Mac sales. That's why overall PC shipments have been down for so long, but Apple's Mac shipments have been up.

As far as USB goes... I have to ask, why? Sure, USB could be handy if you're trying to use the iPad for something it's not designed for. But for my use, I have never, not once, said "Man, I wish this had a USB port". The thought has never even come close to crossing my mind.

And for SD... Back in the late 90's, I got a MP3 player form Rio. This was before iPods, of course. It was a great little player. It had built in memory for like 20 songs, and an SD slot for more. Basically, with the player, I could replace my bulk CD's with small SD cards! I was really excited and happy, and got a dozen SD cards to help handle longer trips. Then I got my first iPod a couple of years later, and it everything changed. No need to carry SD cards on me or lose them randomly (I had lost a few, they're so small and easy to slip out of a pocket). No need to try to keep track of what I have on which card. It's all just there on the iPod.

The same is true for the iPad. It has plenty of memory, and I've never ran into an issue where I wanted more. It can store enough movies, music, books, and other media to keep me entertained on any trip I've taken that I can remember, and if it ever runs out, all I need to do is tell it to download something new wirelessly!

For a majority of consumers, an SD slot just isn't necessary. For those who want to argue that they want one so they can download images from their camera... the card I have for my camera holds over 4000 pictures (and if I really wanted to, I could get more identical cards). I've never been so engrossed with anything that I've taken that many pictures in a single trip.

 

Well, 7.9" iPad Mini was announced today. Starts at $329. Rumors came true on the price. It's a little disappointing in price.

I was surprised the iPad refresh was more than just putting on a Lightning connector. They claimed to have doubled CPU and graphics perf. Yay! It was goofy that the "new iPad" (aka iPad 3) got the high res display but not increase in CPU perf vs. iPad 2.

 

Microsoft Surface reviews are starting to come out tonight.
Review: Microsoft Surface Tablet
Don’t Call The New Microsoft Surface RT A Tablet, This Is A PC | TechCrunch
Microsoft Surface RT Review - Watch CNET's Video Review
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/technology/personaltech/microsoft-unveils-the-surface-its-first-tablet-review.html?_r=0 - keep in mind (if you didn't already know) that Pogue tends to be an Apple fanboy

I guess the media embargo must've been lifted today.

 

Surface is for both content consumption and content creation. That's why Office is included. That's why the keyboard with touchpad is such a dominant feature. That's also why there's a USB port and HDMI out. Windows RT offers many of the standard features of Windows with the mouse interface and touch. It raises the level of device portability to an entirely new level.

And yes, I got one first thing this morning. The rest of the day at work was learning to use it in conjunction to a notebook with a copy of Windows 8 just installed.

It's clearly not an iPad or Android.

 

Does it work with AutoEnginuity or TechStream-Lite?

Bob Wilson

 

Surface Pro will run Windows 7 applications.

 

Is that an extra cost option?

The reason I ask is in 1985, I bought our first, 128k Mac when the PC salesman asked,"Are you going to buy a keyboard and monitor?" When he worked up the new quote, it was within $100 of the Mac price and with one exception, I never looked back. I once owned a PC luggable but my doctor told me to give it up . . . blood pressure.

Bob Wilson

 

Of course! But the system will be faster too.

It fulfills the purpose of uping the ante on tablet capabilities... and certainly puts the legacy of desktops into perspective.

 

It's not an option, it's a different product (that's Intel x86 based), not shipping yet and has no announced price yet (Help me choose which Windows tablet is best for me - Microsoft Surface). The Pro will be able to run regular Windows apps, whereas the Windows RT version can't.

The non-Pro Surface running Windows RT is ARM based and uses an Nvidia Tegra chip.

You'll probably be interested in the downloadable specs at the above URL.

 

First off, thanks for the details as you' all have saved time that could have been lost. I feel like the same Microsoft sales model of 'bait and switch' is still going on. I prefer my computers be buy once and use with little or no 'fiddling'.

The irony is I started my professional career as a mainframe, system programmer, and have always followed an operating system, based path (VAX VMS and Linux.) I prefer Debian Linux for 'experimental' systems using source-code built kernel with access to utility source code as needed. But for personal tools, I prefer Apple because they are relatively turn-key. I don't begrudge what others do but when I have to pay my money and spend uncompensated time . . . well we do have two Prius. <grins>

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

 

^^^
No prob. There's definitely been some confusion about Windows RT. I'd bet there are a good # of non-technical folks who won't know about Windows RT vs. full-blown Windows. Here's are two pieces that I read recently:

What is Windows RT? Redmond, We Have a Problem

Three days in the life of a once and former Microsoft Surface RT user | ZDNet

 

Microsoft Surface with Windows RT review - gdgt has compilation of reviews. I'm a bit surprised taht Gizmodo's is so bad since I'd seen some articles where they seemed to have an ax to grind w/Apple after the stolen iPhone 4 prototype incident. They were singing the praises of MS at Microsoft Is the Most Exciting Company in Tech, Hands Down.

An alternate universe &ndash; Marco.org was an interesting (but rather snarky piece) on MS stores and Surface. He's the developer of Instagram. I'd never read his blog until today, but at least Mac Pro gets half-assed &ldquo;update&rdquo; &ndash; Marco.org is an example of how he doesn't necessarily sing the praises of Apple.

 

Actually it is. Surface is the hardware. Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro are the software. RT is just a glorified Windows Phone 8.
Don't let the USB port fool you. It's limited to what devices you can attach to it. My Note 10.1 can have a USB port or HDMI port too via adapter. Besides the standard storage, and HID, and the most basic USB devices, nothing else will work. I can guarantee you that a DLink DPH-50U USB skype adapter will not work on the RT. Also forget about the USB docking station or a USB monitor.
The MS Office you mentioned are designed for their prospective operating system. It's like saying an Android tablet is as powerful as a laptop because it can run Chrome and Firefox.
I can guarantee you an Asus netbook can do more than Surface with RT because it can run the full blown Windows 7 Enterprise.