Microsoft Surface tablet: Has the new iPad killer finally arrived?

July 12, 2012 | Filed under: Business | Posted by:

By Raaj Datta (NVONews.Com)

Does the Microsoft Surface tablet sound like the iPad killer has finally arrived? Here’s our take on the formidable-looking tablet from Microsoft.

The Microsoft Surface tablet looks like the real deal that can finally stand up to the iPad and dare to take back the lost ground. There’s no denying that Microsoft has been sluggish in coming up with a tablet, creating a technology gap that both Google and Apple took fair advantage of.

The Surface tablet is perhaps the first from Microsoft that looks ‘cool,’ something until now only Apple seemed capable to achieve. The VaporMg magnesium alloy, the bundled ultrathin touch cover, the integrated kick-stand, and an array of much wanted features make the Surface not only a worthy competitor, but a formidable opponent to the new Apple iPad.

Surface sets itself apart with the striking features that make it perfect for enterprises as well as starters. Of the dual cameras, the rear one for instance, is cleverly engineered to work best at 22 degrees in conjunction with the kickstand built on to the back of the tablet. The tablet actually feels sturdy all-day enterprise use.

What’s with Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro?
The Surface tablet with Windows RT will run on an ARM-based processor, while the one with Windows 8 Pro will run on an Intel processor capable of running regular desktop applications. This, once again, is a great plus for enterprise users who shy away from iPad due to its limited use.

Add to that, the number of online applications Microsoft already has for the enterprise segment, the Surface should find greater acceptability in the boardroom.

Though there will be no Siri or Retina-like display to grapple the iPad, the Surface boasts practicality. It won’t exactly break the jaw of the iPad, but the 10.6-inch widescreen with ClearType HD display and a number of ports and a microSD slot make for an interesting combo to lure a wider range of users.

What might actually make the difference?
iPad owes a huge chunk of its success to third-party developers who made applications for every possible use. Microsoft has made a good move here even before the start – by giving Windows desktop-based developers an easy alternative.

With a series of software launches that looked like an ecosystem for the new hardware, it is quite clear Microsoft means business with the Surface tablet. The way Microsoft has made clear its terms, it seems that the Redmond giant no longer wants to be very friendly with hardware manufacturers, but rather wants to take absolute control of its products – right from manufacturing to the supply chain.

Where’s the catch?
Microsoft Surface has the looks to match with the iPad, but the reality of the new rivalry will dawn only after the first week sales figures. The Metro UI is an eye-candy for sure, but the learning curve should be easy and simple to make the product good enough to tempt buyers. Sounds open-ended and vague, but Apple has been able to turn first-time buyers into loyalists just because of that.

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Posted by on July 12, 2012. Filed under Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
  • tom

    the author of this article says that they think the surface tablet looks like it can take back market share from apple’s ipad. erm i do not think so. there are many many reasons for this, but firstly is that the ipad has over half the market to itself according to various respected polls. this is too high a share to make a dent in on anywhere near a short term basis, long term maybe, however if the surface tablet fails to sell in high volumes then it will be deemd to have failed by microsoft and by bloggers and technology geeks everywhere. next is the fact that there are 2 versions. 1 is more of an ultrabook, the pro version. this is basically a laptop in a tablet shell. that will not appeal to the masses as much as genuine tablets do down to price and that genuine tablet sales next year are set to be double this year with over 120 million. where as laptop sales are declining slowly and not rising as fast.
    then there is the rt version which looks more promising though that will fail too as it will be priced the same as the ipad(or as close makes no difference) so it has no advantage there, unless it is a lot cheaper. it also will fail as it will not be x86 compatible so therefore will not be truely windows 8 strictly speaking, more a dumbed down version. you will not for instance be able to do the usual stuff on it that you do on your pc/laptop. thats what the pro version is for.

    also is the fact that the apple app store has many many quality apps on, windows store does not, this means they would have to tempt developers to code new apps for it or recode apps for it. they will only do so if they think they will make lots of cash from it and that will only be if they think that microsoft will sell high numbers of tablets

    then what would microsoft do? would they police the app store to get better apps submitted and less viruses/malware etc or do an android and let any old rubbish on just to get high numbers of apps submitted and populate it quicker, thus ending up with a far worse ecosystem than apple.

    once you realise these factors the surface seems less attractive and even the fact it has usb ports on is not that great as the rt version will therefore(due to not being a full desktop experience just metro…so therefore apps only)only be able to connect extra keyboards etc, not as many devices etc as the pro version can.

    then you may say at this point that the rt version will come with office 15 on it, yes but so will the app store. and now it seems the play store. office 15 will be available on both.
    so the rt version has less going for it then at first seems and the only way it can compete therefore is if it were significantly cheaper than the ipad, maybe microsoft will do an xbox and sell it at a loss then once loads of people have one, get them to upgrade at full price to a later model and make profits etc. plus what they would make on the apps etc.

    even if they do so, if apple release an ipad mini then the surface really has no chance and it’s game over for microsoft before it has started.

    however only time will tell

  • Nilayan

    dear tom,
    plz stop crying and try harder.. and if u have to go to such ‘lengths’ to defend yout precious ipad i would say microsft is doing a wonderful job..
    do u realise that the surface pro will run all x86 software out there and therefore the question of not having enough apps doesnt arise..
    the surface pro atleast is a much more practical and powerful tablet which will run a full OS(windows 8) not a toy OS you use to play angry birds on..

    as for ipad having half the market , windows has a >90% on desktops so acc to u apple should stop making macs, nice logic u got there bro;

    the only 2 factors which may determine the success of surface are
    1. the battery life of ivy bridge processors
    2. cost of the proo version
    and has nothing to do with apple or ipad mini..because anyone with half a brain can make out that the surface is a much superior device.

    also the touch and type covers are a true innovation in themselves which are useful and practical not stupid gimmics like siri or retina display.

  • Nilayan

    this message board needs an edit button..