Microsoft: Surface News and Discussion Thread
The sizzle in the Steak
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Southern California
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Microsoft Corp. is slashing the price of its Surface RT tablet by $150 as it fights to increase its tiny share of the booming tablet market.
The cut brings the price of the Surface RT with 32 gigabytes of memory to $349 without a cover, which also acts as a keyboard. Including a cover with a touch-sensitive keyboard, the device comes to $449. The Surface has a 10.1-inch (25.6-centimeter) screen measured diagonally.
According to market research firm IDC, Microsoft shipped about 900,000 tablets in the first quarter of 2013. That includes both the slimmed-down RT version and the Pro version of Surface, which is compatible with older Windows programs.
That gave Microsoft a slim 1.8 percent share of the 49.2 million tablets shipped worldwide. Apple remained the leader with 39.6 percent and was followed by Samsung Electronics Co., AsusTek Computer Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. Microsoft was No. 5. For the first time in IDC's quarterly report, Microsoft crept into the top five manufacturers, displacing Barnes & Noble Inc., which makes the Nook. Second-quarter figures are not yet out.
The cut, implemented Sunday, comes just days after Microsoft reorganized its corporate structure to become more of a "devices and services" company.
Microsoft has manufactured devices before, such as its Xbox gaming console, but when it began selling Surface tablets in October, the company became a competitor to its many manufacturing partners, who rely on its Windows operating system to power their machines.
The cut brings the price of the Surface RT with 32 gigabytes of memory to $349 without a cover, which also acts as a keyboard. Including a cover with a touch-sensitive keyboard, the device comes to $449. The Surface has a 10.1-inch (25.6-centimeter) screen measured diagonally.
According to market research firm IDC, Microsoft shipped about 900,000 tablets in the first quarter of 2013. That includes both the slimmed-down RT version and the Pro version of Surface, which is compatible with older Windows programs.
That gave Microsoft a slim 1.8 percent share of the 49.2 million tablets shipped worldwide. Apple remained the leader with 39.6 percent and was followed by Samsung Electronics Co., AsusTek Computer Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. Microsoft was No. 5. For the first time in IDC's quarterly report, Microsoft crept into the top five manufacturers, displacing Barnes & Noble Inc., which makes the Nook. Second-quarter figures are not yet out.
The cut, implemented Sunday, comes just days after Microsoft reorganized its corporate structure to become more of a "devices and services" company.
Microsoft has manufactured devices before, such as its Xbox gaming console, but when it began selling Surface tablets in October, the company became a competitor to its many manufacturing partners, who rely on its Windows operating system to power their machines.
Windows RT
Suzuka Master
Joined: Sep 2006
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http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/49...ce-tablets.htm
almost a $1Billion charge against their profits because of that RT thing......lol
almost a $1Billion charge against their profits because of that RT thing......lol
Thread Starter
Sanest Florida Man
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 45,983
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From: Florida
gIsbsk2.png
http://www.theverge.com/2013/7/23/45...-2013-earnings
I think it more has to do with price than anything. Apple just released last Q results and listed the ASP of the iPad as $436. The Surface started at $500. It seems apple is selling a lot more iPad Mini's and iPad 2's than the retina iPad. Not many people aren't spending $500, $600 on a tablet anymore. Spec wise the RT can't compete with the Retina(screen and CPU-wise), the 16:9 is just not good for a tablet. This will be fixed in 8.1, since it includes better portrait mode support and better support for 4:3 screens in Metro.
We'll see what happens when they release their 7-8in model with 8.1 and price it competitively with the mini.
iPad ASP was down for the eighth consecutive quarter, now standing at $436 as a growing proportion of buyers opt for the company's cheaper iPad offerings such as the iPad mini.
I think it more has to do with price than anything. Apple just released last Q results and listed the ASP of the iPad as $436. The Surface started at $500. It seems apple is selling a lot more iPad Mini's and iPad 2's than the retina iPad. Not many people aren't spending $500, $600 on a tablet anymore. Spec wise the RT can't compete with the Retina(screen and CPU-wise), the 16:9 is just not good for a tablet. This will be fixed in 8.1, since it includes better portrait mode support and better support for 4:3 screens in Metro.
We'll see what happens when they release their 7-8in model with 8.1 and price it competitively with the mini.
The Third Ball
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 50,492
Likes: 5,869
From: Los Angeles, Ca
After lowing the price of the Surface RT by $150, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has reportedly admitted to less than stellar sales of the hybrid device. A post from The Verge states the Microsoft executive took the stage during a recent internal town hall meeting. And beyond the issues with getting Surface units out the door, Ballmer admitted the company isn't selling as many Windows devices as planned.
"We built a few more devices than we could sell," said Ballmer, alluding to an overabundance of Surface RT inventory. Earlier this month, Microsoft reported a $900 million loss in the first quarter due to the struggling hybrid tablet. According to The Verge's source, Ballmer stated during the meeting that the price cut of the Surface RT was in an effort to boost poor sales.
Additionally, Ballmer stated the company isn't selling as many Windows-based PCs, phones, and tablets as intended. The PC continues to struggle in an increasingly mobile-oriented market, which obviously leads to lower than expected sales of Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows 8. The company recently released a preview of the OS' first major update, Windows 8.1.
"We built a few more devices than we could sell," said Ballmer, alluding to an overabundance of Surface RT inventory. Earlier this month, Microsoft reported a $900 million loss in the first quarter due to the struggling hybrid tablet. According to The Verge's source, Ballmer stated during the meeting that the price cut of the Surface RT was in an effort to boost poor sales.
Additionally, Ballmer stated the company isn't selling as many Windows-based PCs, phones, and tablets as intended. The PC continues to struggle in an increasingly mobile-oriented market, which obviously leads to lower than expected sales of Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows 8. The company recently released a preview of the OS' first major update, Windows 8.1.
Go Giants
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 70,003
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From: PA
I will not be getting the new one. The one I have didnt impress me enough. Windows 8.1 is better then 8.0, but using the Surface as a tablet, which feels ok, doesnt make more sense then using IOS or Android. Using it as a Windows PC feels clumsy. Using Windows 8.1 on a real laptop feels much better.
Go Giants
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: PA
RT is a mess. The App store looks good until you specifically search for something you want.
Even with 8.1 on my Surface Pro, its still flaky. Chrome is a nightmare on it, looks terrible and the touch doesnt work. IE looks and works well, but, its IE. Using PC apps are fine, however using the type keyboard and trackpad is not fun. 8.1 in Bootcamp on my Macs is a much nicer experience. If I needed Windows (and I do), I would easily get a MB Air and do it that way.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Jersey
That's the problem when you sell the OS to anyone that wants it. It's hard to give the Surface something that would differentiate itself from other tablets.
Go Giants
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From: PA
Thread Starter
Sanest Florida Man
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Florida
They really need to start including the keyboard cover with the surface. They're trying to compete with the MBA and selling for around the same price but it doesn't have a hardware keyboard. 
getting better though.
Rumor is they held back on the small surface last minute. They said the event was going to be a "small" event which everyone took as a hint to mean a small surface but none appeared. Supposedly they don't feel the small surface isn't that different from their competitors and they wouldn't compete well so they're going to focus on the business guys who want a hybrid laptop/tablet thing.
I've spoken to a few business guys like that asking me for recommendations about the surface but I've been hesitant to recommend it. Maybe third times a charm, we'll see...
getting better though.
Rumor is they held back on the small surface last minute. They said the event was going to be a "small" event which everyone took as a hint to mean a small surface but none appeared. Supposedly they don't feel the small surface isn't that different from their competitors and they wouldn't compete well so they're going to focus on the business guys who want a hybrid laptop/tablet thing.
I've spoken to a few business guys like that asking me for recommendations about the surface but I've been hesitant to recommend it. Maybe third times a charm, we'll see...
sold my surface pro 1. Battery life was shitty for a tablet, but okay for a laptop. It should not be called a tablet.
Best feature was the wacom pen since I could take notes on my powerpoints. Besides that my laptop could do everything else it can, last longer, and doesn't throttle because it get too hot.
getting a nexus 7 2013 to replace this
Best feature was the wacom pen since I could take notes on my powerpoints. Besides that my laptop could do everything else it can, last longer, and doesn't throttle because it get too hot.
getting a nexus 7 2013 to replace this
Go Giants
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: PA
Video was pretty spot on, even with the Surface 1/2. It takes a big longer to setup to use, but once you do, its good. I generally wont want to use it if I need it to be on my lap,Ill use my Air for that. But at Starbucks, its great.
Race Director
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From: MAGA country
Last edited by nfnsquared; May 26, 2014 at 11:48 AM.