Computers Microsoft to Unveil 7-inch Xbox Surface Tablet - Page 2

Mr. Laz · 07:11 PM

Microsoft to Unveil 7-inch Xbox Surface Tablet at Today’s Event?

Posted by iPhoneHacks on Jun 18, 2012 | 1 Comment

Few days back, we reported that Microsoft had sent an invite for a media event today. However, Microsoft didn't provide any other details about the event other than saying "This will be a major Microsoft announcement — you will not want to miss it".

It is being widely speculated that Microsoft is gearing up to launch its own Windows 8 tablet to take on Apple's iPad.

According to LiveSide.net who claim to have received specs sheet from a source, Microsoft will unveil a 7-inch tablet controller along with Xbox hardware, which could be called Xbox Surface.

The purported tech specs reveals that the 7-inch tablet will be powered by an ARM processor from Texas Instruments for "Kinect workloads," as well as custom IBM engine for "scale out." According to the leaked specs it would come with a 1280x720 resolution display.

Microsoft was rumored to launch a Smartglass tablet at E3 show, but that didn't turn out to be accurate as Microsoft unveiled the impressive SmartGlass software that will provide users with additional information about a TV show, game, or other Xbox content on a second screen, like a tablet or smartphone. Microsoft has announced that it will be also releasing apps for iOS and Android.

We're assuming that in addition to being a controller for the Xbox, Xbox Surface or whatever it is called will also work as a full-fledged tablet. Experts believe that Microsoft is developing its own tablet to be able to compete with Apple's tight integration rather than entering the booming tablet market only through its traditional hardware partners.

Check out the leaked specs of the 7-inch tablet controller below, they look quite impressive.

**AustinChief** · 06-18-2012, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer

Ehhh.. no pricing and no availability information... looks good though -- that cover is pretty ****ing awesome.

and before the haters jump in:
This won't make a dent in Apple sales... But Android tablet is in serious trouble.

Not really. They'll take a small chunk away from both segments in the consumer sector. The place where they could really kill it is in the corporate sector. If they are smart, that's where they focus heavily and hope to trickle down to consumers from there.

**QuikSsurfer** · 06-18-2012, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

Not really. They'll take a small chunk away from both segments in the consumer sector. The place where they could really kill it is in the corporate sector. If they are smart, that's where they focus heavily and hope to trickle down to consumers from there.

Nah. Android tablets were shit to begin with -- they'll (MS) be taking a lot more than a "small chunk".

Mr. Laz · 06-18-2012, 07:10 PM

also a 10-inch tablet today

===================
Hands-on with Microsoft Surface for Windows RT, Touch Cover and Type Cover

By Dana Wollman

posted Jun 18th 2012 8:43PM
Hands-On

We're here live at Microsoft's press event in Los Angeles, where it just unveiled not just the rumored tablet you were hoping for, but two tablets: Surface for Windows RT, which has an NVIDIA chip inside, and Surface for Windows 8 Pro, which runs off Ultrabook-grade Ivy Bridge processors. (Yes, Surface here is the name of a tablet line, not software optimized for large touchscreens. Get that out of your system now.) Though the two differ slightly in dimensions, with the Pro model measuring in slightly thicker, both have a slim kickstand, about as thick as a credit card, that folds out of the backside like the tail of a photo frame. Both are made of magnesium and, perhaps most importantly, work with either of two magnetic covers that double as keyboards (one with multitouch input, and one with physical, three-dimensional keys). No word on pricing -- just that Surface for Windows RT will cost about what you'll end up paying for other Windows RT tablets, and that the Pro version will fetch similar prices as Ultrabooks. We saw Surface for RT as well as both keyboard on display at the demo area here following Microsoft's big press event. We've got a gallery of hands-on shots below, which we'll be updating shortly. In the meantime, find impressions past the break, and expect us to chime in with more detailed thoughts there too.

Microsoft Surface for Windows RT

Hardware

None of this might make sense until you touch one yourself, but it's our job to at least help you understand: the Surface really is as rigid and lightweight as Microsoft's executive team promised us it would be. The magnesium casing makes it wholly inflexible, and we mean that in the best possible way. As thin and light as it is (9.3mm / 1.5 pounds, to be exact), there isn't a hint of give in the whole chassis. Were it not for fear of scratching that 10-inch, full HD display, we wouldn't have too many qualms about accidentally dropping it: the magnesium is as smooth and scratch-resistant as it is sturdy. Heck, even after dozens of tech writers picked it up, we didn't notice any fingerprints.

The kickstand, too, is as thin as they say (3mm thick on the RT model). It folds out in a controlled, reassuring motion; we're not worried about this snapping off. It also seems like it'll take a little more than a breath of air to make the whole thing knock over. Our first thought was that the stand looks like the fold-out back to a frame, but unlike a frame, which might fall face-down on your shelf, the tablet stayed put, even after rigorous handling from all the press here.

Display

After seeing so many 1366 x 768 Windows 8 tablets at Computex, we were all too pleased to lay eyes on a 1080p panel. It is indeed crisp, but you know what's even more impressive? The viewing angles. Try following along with a demo, standing off to the side while someone else has his turn taking photos from dead-center. Turns out, it's no so hard. Factor in that kickstand and you've got the ingredients for some easy movie watching between friends.

Performance

As for performance, we'll be honest: tech press were treated to about two minutes at each of several stations, some of which demoed design, and not so much the power that lies inside that thin frame. (Microsoft has only said that the ARM chip is made by NVIDIA. No one ever said it's a Tegra 3 SoC, but that is naturally our best bet.) Still, in our brief hands-on the optically bonded screen was incredibly responsive to our various taps and swipes. Fast, slick and very, very promising. Now if only we could see the Core i5-powered Pro model in action.

Keyboards

Unfortunately, we didn't get to see a working demo of the keyboards. As in, we weren't permitted to type sample sentences and feel what it's like to hammer out characters on a flat keyboard, or on keys that have just 1.5mm of travel. Still, they were on display in the demo area and we did get to, you know, put our fingers on them. Starting with the flat one (that'd be the Touch Cover), the keys have a slightly scratchy surface that seems like it would make one's fingers feel just a bit more anchored. Still, we're curious about the learning curve for a keyboard that's so... what's the opposite of "tactile"? Interestingly, with the Type Cover, the cushier of the two keyboards, it's still difficult at first blush to tell one key from another if you're not looking down at them. Each manufacturer has a different way of conserving space when building a set of keys for a 10-inch device, and it's clear that Microsoft decided using a chiclet layout would have been inefficient: the keys are packed fairly tightly, with the flat keycaps almost blending into one another.

**AustinChief** · 06-18-2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer

Nah. Android tablets were shit to begin with -- they'll (MS) be taking a lot more than a "small chunk".

You do know that CURRENTLY, Android accounts for around 50% of tablet sales in the US and a majority of sales worldwide, right? Ipad sales have dropped from 90% to 70% to now 50% in the US and will probably level off at around 15-20% just like all Apple products eventually do. Which is nothing to sneeze at from a single brand... but let's be realistic about the figures.

**AustinChief** · 06-18-2012, 07:27 PM

The PRO version is pretty damn impressive. If they can keep the price within reach, it could seriously take off in the corporate world.

I have a Windows 7 tablet(old and super bulky) and an Android/WebOS tablet and I can say that there is a world of difference between having a fun convenient tablet that is basically a toy and a real working tablet with a big boy OS. Having a tablet that can run real programs could be huge for business.

Fish · 06-18-2012, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

You do know that CURRENTLY, Android accounts for around 50% of tablet sales in the US and a majority of sales worldwide, right? Ipad sales have dropped from 90% to 70% to now 50% in the US and will probably level off at around 15-20% just like all Apple products eventually do. Which is nothing to sneeze at from a single brand... but let's be realistic about the figures.

Some are actually predicting the iPad to increase growth over the next few years...

Quote:

Apple and its iPad are going to be the primary beneficiary of the market growth, according to IDC. In 2011, the iPad and its iOS operating system held 58.2 percent of the market. This year, that share will grow to 62.5 percent. That will come at the expense of tablets running Google’s Android operating system, which will see its share slip from 38.7 percent last year to 36.5 percent in 2012, the analysts said.
.
.
"Our current thinking, based upon early pricing expectations for these products, is that Windows-based tablets will be largely additive to our existing media tablet market forecast,” he said. “We don't expect Windows-based tablets to necessarily take share from Apple and Android, but will grow the overall tablet market."

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Desktops-an...ts-IDC-540056/

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...f_android.html

**QuikSsurfer** · 06-18-2012, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

You do know that CURRENTLY, Android accounts for around 50% of tablet sales in the US and a majority of sales worldwide, right? Ipad sales have dropped from 90% to 70% to now 50% in the US and will probably level off at around 15-20% just like all Apple products eventually do. Which is nothing to sneeze at from a single brand... but let's be realistic about the figures.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

The PRO version is pretty damn impressive. If they can keep the price within reach, it could seriously take off in the corporate world.

I have a Windows 7 tablet(old and super bulky) and an Android/WebOS tablet and I can say that there is a world of difference between having a fun convenient tablet that is basically a toy and a real working tablet with a big boy OS. Having a tablet that can run real programs could be huge for business.

I spit at these Android so called tablets! (and no I didn't know that)

The potential is definitely there for the corporate environment - cost has to be right. The Pro version seems to be the only one to support fully functional Windows. I've not been interested in tablets (though I have Android running on my nook color) til now. I setup iPads and HP tablets weekly.

DaveNull · 06-18-2012, 07:44 PM

Why is the trackpad off center? Why is there a trackpad at all? How can they claim that people will type faster on a 3mm thick keyboard with little to no tactile feedback when the lack of tactile feedback is what makes typing on a touch screen a pain in the ass in the first place? Why fail to give a shipping date? Why not quote prices? Battery life? RAM capacity?

Why did they compromise so much? When I say compromise, I don't mean leaving things out...I mean throwing everything on there that someone in a meeting brought up?

Mr. Laz · 06-18-2012, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveNull

Why is the trackpad off center? Why is there a trackpad at all?

only a trackpad when using the cover

**QuikSsurfer** · 06-18-2012, 07:48 PM

But how well does it run Diablo III?

DaveNull · 06-18-2012, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

only a trackpad when using the cover

But why is it there in the first place? Why not get crazy and use this to declare that the Metro interface is the one true future for these kinds of devices and windows in general?

Mr. Laz · 06-18-2012, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveNull

But why is it there in the first place? Why not get crazy and use this to declare that the Metro interface is the one true future for these kinds of devices and windows in general?

i imagine it's because of the keyboard

When typing on a keying the trackpad is a closer and more natural place to move/tap/keep typing.

but hey ... i'm no M$ fanboi

just sayin'

**AustinChief** · 06-18-2012, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Fish

Some are actually predicting the iPad to increase growth over the next few years...

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Desktops-an...ts-IDC-540056/

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...f_android.html

These are the same people who had similar predictions with the iPhone. Without a major strategy shift, it's simply won't happen.

#1 they don't take into account the effect of a true business tablet (which MS may finally have.. remains to be seen) they even admit as much saying they will have a new report later this year to deal with MS
#2 they base their numbers on major manufacturers and discount the worldwide "whitebox" sales which are massive in China and India.
#3 IDC is basing this entirely on opinion not on anything remotely close to hard data. The DATA shows a consistent downward trend in market share (except the small bumps that occur in the first month of a new product launch) yet IDC "thinks" that it's suddenly going to change? Based on what?

**AustinChief** · 06-18-2012, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSsurfer

But how well does it run Diablo III?

In theory the PRO version should run it quite well... it all depends on how they implement Windows 8.

DaveNull · 06-18-2012, 07:59 PM

What are you basing that theory on? The dedicated graphics chip they didn't mention?

06-18-2012, 05:31 PM
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	Microsoft to Unveil Xbox Surface Tablet(s) Microsoft to Unveil 7-inch Xbox Surface Tablet at Today’s Event? Posted by iPhoneHacks on Jun 18, 2012 \| 1 Comment Few days back, we reported that Microsoft had sent an invite for a media event today. However, Microsoft didn't provide any other details about the event other than saying "This will be a major Microsoft announcement — you will not want to miss it". It is being widely speculated that Microsoft is gearing up to launch its own Windows 8 tablet to take on Apple's iPad. According to LiveSide.net who claim to have received specs sheet from a source, Microsoft will unveil a 7-inch tablet controller along with Xbox hardware, which could be called Xbox Surface. The purported tech specs reveals that the 7-inch tablet will be powered by an ARM processor from Texas Instruments for "Kinect workloads," as well as custom IBM engine for "scale out." According to the leaked specs it would come with a 1280x720 resolution display. Microsoft was rumored to launch a Smartglass tablet at E3 show, but that didn't turn out to be accurate as Microsoft unveiled the impressive SmartGlass software that will provide users with additional information about a TV show, game, or other Xbox content on a second screen, like a tablet or smartphone. Microsoft has announced that it will be also releasing apps for iOS and Android. We're assuming that in addition to being a controller for the Xbox, Xbox Surface or whatever it is called will also work as a full-fledged tablet. Experts believe that Microsoft is developing its own tablet to be able to compete with Apple's tight integration rather than entering the booming tablet market only through its traditional hardware partners. Check out the leaked specs of the 7-inch tablet controller below, they look quite impressive. Last edited by Mr. Laz; 06-18-2012 at 07:11 PM..
Posts: 95,626

06-18-2012, 07:10 PM	#18
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	also a 10-inch tablet today =================== Hands-on with Microsoft Surface for Windows RT, Touch Cover and Type Cover By Dana Wollman posted Jun 18th 2012 8:43PM Hands-On We're here live at Microsoft's press event in Los Angeles, where it just unveiled not just the rumored tablet you were hoping for, but two tablets: Surface for Windows RT, which has an NVIDIA chip inside, and Surface for Windows 8 Pro, which runs off Ultrabook-grade Ivy Bridge processors. (Yes, Surface here is the name of a tablet line, not software optimized for large touchscreens. Get that out of your system now.) Though the two differ slightly in dimensions, with the Pro model measuring in slightly thicker, both have a slim kickstand, about as thick as a credit card, that folds out of the backside like the tail of a photo frame. Both are made of magnesium and, perhaps most importantly, work with either of two magnetic covers that double as keyboards (one with multitouch input, and one with physical, three-dimensional keys). No word on pricing -- just that Surface for Windows RT will cost about what you'll end up paying for other Windows RT tablets, and that the Pro version will fetch similar prices as Ultrabooks. We saw Surface for RT as well as both keyboard on display at the demo area here following Microsoft's big press event. We've got a gallery of hands-on shots below, which we'll be updating shortly. In the meantime, find impressions past the break, and expect us to chime in with more detailed thoughts there too. Microsoft Surface for Windows RT Hardware None of this might make sense until you touch one yourself, but it's our job to at least help you understand: the Surface really is as rigid and lightweight as Microsoft's executive team promised us it would be. The magnesium casing makes it wholly inflexible, and we mean that in the best possible way. As thin and light as it is (9.3mm / 1.5 pounds, to be exact), there isn't a hint of give in the whole chassis. Were it not for fear of scratching that 10-inch, full HD display, we wouldn't have too many qualms about accidentally dropping it: the magnesium is as smooth and scratch-resistant as it is sturdy. Heck, even after dozens of tech writers picked it up, we didn't notice any fingerprints. The kickstand, too, is as thin as they say (3mm thick on the RT model). It folds out in a controlled, reassuring motion; we're not worried about this snapping off. It also seems like it'll take a little more than a breath of air to make the whole thing knock over. Our first thought was that the stand looks like the fold-out back to a frame, but unlike a frame, which might fall face-down on your shelf, the tablet stayed put, even after rigorous handling from all the press here. Display After seeing so many 1366 x 768 Windows 8 tablets at Computex, we were all too pleased to lay eyes on a 1080p panel. It is indeed crisp, but you know what's even more impressive? The viewing angles. Try following along with a demo, standing off to the side while someone else has his turn taking photos from dead-center. Turns out, it's no so hard. Factor in that kickstand and you've got the ingredients for some easy movie watching between friends. Performance As for performance, we'll be honest: tech press were treated to about two minutes at each of several stations, some of which demoed design, and not so much the power that lies inside that thin frame. (Microsoft has only said that the ARM chip is made by NVIDIA. No one ever said it's a Tegra 3 SoC, but that is naturally our best bet.) Still, in our brief hands-on the optically bonded screen was incredibly responsive to our various taps and swipes. Fast, slick and very, very promising. Now if only we could see the Core i5-powered Pro model in action. Keyboards Unfortunately, we didn't get to see a working demo of the keyboards. As in, we weren't permitted to type sample sentences and feel what it's like to hammer out characters on a flat keyboard, or on keys that have just 1.5mm of travel. Still, they were on display in the demo area and we did get to, you know, put our fingers on them. Starting with the flat one (that'd be the Touch Cover), the keys have a slightly scratchy surface that seems like it would make one's fingers feel just a bit more anchored. Still, we're curious about the learning curve for a keyboard that's so... what's the opposite of "tactile"? Interestingly, with the Type Cover, the cushier of the two keyboards, it's still difficult at first blush to tell one key from another if you're not looking down at them. Each manufacturer has a different way of conserving space when building a set of keys for a 10-inch device, and it's clear that Microsoft decided using a chiclet layout would have been inefficient: the keys are packed fairly tightly, with the flat keycaps almost blending into one another. __________________
Posts: 95,626

06-18-2012, 07:27 PM	#20
AustinChief Administrator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Austin Casino cash: $2689112	The PRO version is pretty damn impressive. If they can keep the price within reach, it could seriously take off in the corporate world. I have a Windows 7 tablet(old and super bulky) and an Android/WebOS tablet and I can say that there is a world of difference between having a fun convenient tablet that is basically a toy and a real working tablet with a big boy OS. Having a tablet that can run real programs could be huge for business.
Posts: 19,495

06-18-2012, 07:44 PM	#23
DaveNull Veteran Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Villa Straylight Casino cash: $10005610	Why is the trackpad off center? Why is there a trackpad at all? How can they claim that people will type faster on a 3mm thick keyboard with little to no tactile feedback when the lack of tactile feedback is what makes typing on a touch screen a pain in the ass in the first place? Why fail to give a shipping date? Why not quote prices? Battery life? RAM capacity? Why did they compromise so much? When I say compromise, I don't mean leaving things out...I mean throwing everything on there that someone in a meeting brought up?
Posts: 2,367

06-18-2012, 07:48 PM	#25
QuikSsurfer Got swag? Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Madison, MS Casino cash: $10008287	But how well does it run Diablo III? __________________
Posts: 11,847

06-18-2012, 07:59 PM	#30
DaveNull Veteran Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Villa Straylight Casino cash: $10005610	What are you basing that theory on? The dedicated graphics chip they didn't mention?
Posts: 2,367