I'm not a fan of the surface devices
But on the other hand, I don't see any story here. The guy is simply upgrading.
Just when you thought enthusiasm for Windows 8 and the Surface tablet could not possibly get any more tepid, a Microsoft New Zealand employee intends to sell one of the devices. Kiwi tech news site spotted Techday spotted a Tweet from Nigel Parker, leader of Microsoft New Zealand's Developer & Platform Group at Microsoft New …
Nope, this isn't "simply upgrading".
To do a comparison with another well-known portable computing supplier, he's doing the equivalent of getting rid of an iPad and buying a (tablet shaped) Macbook Pro. That's not an upgrade, it's a different class of device.
Windows RT isn't Windows 8. Superficially, they look very similar - but when it comes to what you can actually do with them, they are completely different.
To me this tweet really says "Microsoft exec confused by the difference between a Surface RT and a Surface Pro" as he's bought the wrong one.
That bodes.
Because it lacks both the actual apps you find for iOS/Android/Playbook while posing as a Windows device that can't actually do what "traditional" Windows devices can do. When we got Windows CE, nobody expected it to do much; but MS itself sold the idea of WinRT as basically Windows on ARM. And on those expectations, it's horribly limited.
OK, so he is upgrading and selling off surplus kit. Dont we all?
The interesting thing will be to see how long it takes to sell. And what it goes for. If the post is still there in a couple of weeks - or not - then we will have at least one indisputable fact about Win 8. That'll be a breakthrough.
Windows 8 Pro devices are starting to appear wrapped around Atom chips and they have a similar performance / battery characteristics as an ARM chip. They look like tablets but they are also capable of running a full Windows desktop and Windows x86 executables (albeit 32-only) such as games and other desktop apps. You could buy a Acer Iconia W510 with 64GB and keyboard dock (and extra battery) for the same price as a Surface 64GB and keyboard cover.
Basically Windows RT is a dead man walking. It's squeezed from below by more capable Android tablets and squeezed from about by it's fully developed sibling. While it might pick up some apps which run in Windows RT and Windows 8 due to WinRT API, it'll be the scraps from the table. I don't see it surviving even if Microsoft reappraise the price they're charging for the devices and drop it to saner levels.
I tried a brand new model in a show room and it refused to print some of the letters while typing. Oh that and the fact that it is shit. Remember Windows ME? Don't tell me you liked that over '98SE... But I see your point. Maybe we, the people, should give more constructive feedback on why we don't like tifkam.
you poor sad soles who have to cling on to such a non story, truth is the surface is an awesome device while it might not be apple or android but fact is windows tablets do many thinks nothing from either apple or android currently do. try it with an open mind if you are capable of that before knocking it if not, better luck in finding a better story than this to hang your hat on.