Tag Archives: SurfaceForWindowsRt

Microsoft Surface for Windows RT tablet coming October 26th for $199?

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We'll admit to being a little blown away when Microsoft launched the Surface -- it was an impressively polished tablet that we had heard barely a whisper of leading up to the mysterious launch event. But, there was one thing that we were still left wondering: how much would it cost? Now, with Acer getting all in a huff about competition and Microsoft conceding that some OEMs might be a little upset when this thing ships, we might just have an idea for you. According to an inside source, a session was held at Microsoft's recent TechReady15 conference in which all the launch details were laid out. If things go according to the plan detailed then, the Surface for Windows RT tablet will be launching October 26th -- no surprise there -- at a compelling price of $199.

That MSRP, almost certainly lower than Microsoft's own cost, would line it up against the Nexus 7 and even the Kindle Fire. It would put Windows 8 on the map in a big way and give a lot of people a lot of reason to try out an operating system that is going to feel rather different than previous incarnations. The question is: will it drive enough sales of media and apps for Microsoft to recoup its loss? Or, will companies like Acer put up enough of a fight in the months between now and October to keep Microsoft from undercutting its own partners? We'll find out soon, dear readers.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Microsoft Surface for Windows RT tablet coming October 26th for $199? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 11:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CE-Oh no he didn’t!: Acer’s JT Wang tells Microsoft to ‘think twice’ about Surface

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CEOh no he didn't Acer's JT Wang tells Microsoft to 'think twice' about making Surface

Acer executives have criticized Microsoft's decision to build its own tablet in the past, but now the firm's CEO has offered Redmond a more direct warning. "We have said [to Microsoft] think it over," Acer CEO JT Wang told the Financial Times. "Think Twice. It will create a huge negative impact for the ecosystem and other brands may take a negative reaction." Microsoft has acknowledged Surface's potential to frustrate its OEM partners, telling the Security and Exchange Commission that competing directly with manufactures might "affect their commitment" to the firm's platform. Not only does Wang agree with this admission, he seems worried that Microsoft will cause this damage for nothing. "It is not something you are good at," he continued, "so please think twice." Polite, but a bit bold. Then again, Acer has never been shy about telling Microsoft exactly what it thinks.

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CE-Oh no he didn't!: Acer's JT Wang tells Microsoft to 'think twice' about Surface originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 01:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer is skeptical of Surface tablets, thinks Microsoft isn’t playing nice

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Microsoft Surface for Windows RT hands-on

We were worried that Microsoft might wind up with frenemies in the PC industry after introducing its Surface tablets. There hasn't been a lot of backlash so far, but the Windows 8 tablets clearly rankled some Acer executives -- they're lashing out at their OS partner in a very public fashion. Acer's EMEA senior VP Oliver Ahrens is accusing Microsoft of trying to copy Apple's business model and thinks the Surface line will struggle to get any traction. It could lead to a "defocus" at Microsoft as the software giant forgets the PC builders that got it to the top, he says. Meanwhile, frequently outspoken company founder Stan Shih isn't even convinced that Microsoft is serious about the whole affair. To him, Surface is just an attempt to spur tablet designers into action that will fade away if and when Microsoft deems it a success. It's entirely possible that either executive is right knowing Microsoft's very mixed track record in hardware. Just consider the source before you cast too much doubt of your own: Acer isn't exactly great with tablet market predictions.

Acer is skeptical of Surface tablets, thinks Microsoft isn't playing nice originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 18:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft: Surface was developed in an ‘underground bunker’ at first, we can play the secrecy game too

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Microsoft Surface was developed in an 'underground bunker,' we hope they've seen sunlight

We commonly associate extreme secrecy around a product design with Apple, but it now looks to be in vogue with all the major technology companies: just days after Samsung revealed the Galaxy S III's secret sauce, Microsoft has explained to TechRadar that it developed its surprise new Surface tablets under a similarly tight watch. A special wing of Microsoft's hardware unit initially worked in an "underground bunker," according to the division's Stevie Bathiche, before moving to a more conventional building with an 'airlock' door -- the company was just that concerned that Bob from Accounts Receivable might spoil the whole thing. As we all know by now, that level of secrecy proved effective almost until the last minute and let Microsoft design to its heart's content; we still don't know if other PC builders were aware. The practice is a sharp break from Microsoft's tendency to telegraph its strategy well in advance, and it emphasizes just how much importance Redmond places on its self-developed Windows 8 hardware.

Microsoft: Surface was developed in an 'underground bunker' at first, we can play the secrecy game too originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 13:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Editorial: Engadget on Microsoft’s new Surface tablet line

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Editorial Engadget on Microsoft's new Surface

Microsoft has unveiled its new Surface, a reborn brand that now lives as two products. It was a showy event with a strong conclusion: at the unification of software and hardware lies great things. Microsoft has found that greatness with the Xbox 360. Can it do so again with a new series of tablets? Here's what we think.

Continue reading Editorial: Engadget on Microsoft's new Surface tablet line

Editorial: Engadget on Microsoft's new Surface tablet line originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 10:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on with Microsoft Surface for Windows RT, Touch Cover and Type Cover (update: video!)

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Handson with Microsoft Surface for Windows RT

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 keyboards on display at the demo area here following Microsoft's big press event. We've got a gallery of hands-on shots, as well as impressions past the break.

Gallery: Microsoft Surface for Windows RT hands-on

Continue reading Hands-on with Microsoft Surface for Windows RT, Touch Cover and Type Cover (update: video!)

Hands-on with Microsoft Surface for Windows RT, Touch Cover and Type Cover (update: video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft Surface tablets: the differences between Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro models

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Microsoft Surface tablets the differences between RT and Windows 8 Pro models

Surfaces. Turns out, the plural form of Microsoft's new tablet range rolls off of the tongue with ease, but understanding the differences between the first two models may not be quite as easy -- particularly for the everyman, or folks intimately familiar with Microsoft's other Surface. Two editions -- Surface for Windows RT and Surface for Windows 8 Pro -- were unveiled today in Los Angeles, and while the exterior of each one looks nearly identical, the innards expose major differences in architecture. Let's break it all down after the break, shall we?

Gallery: Microsoft Surface Glamour Shots

Continue reading Microsoft Surface tablets: the differences between Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro models

Microsoft Surface tablets: the differences between Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro models originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft reveals its own Windows 8 tablet: meet the new Surface for Windows RT

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Microsoft reveals its own Windows 8 tablet meet the new Surface for Windows RT

Here at its mysterious, last-minute press event in Los Angeles, Microsoft just confirmed it will sell its own Microsoft-branded Windows 8 RT tablet under the Surface badge. Measuring just 9.3mm thick, the Surface for Windows RT is built around an angled, all-magnesium VaporMg case that weighs just under 1.3 pounds, with an NVIDIA-made ARM chip powering the whole affair. Microsoft's hardware partner has also gone all-out on extra touches, such as a built-in stand, twin 2x2 MIMO antennas for WiFi, and a 10.6-inch optically-bonded, Gorilla Glass 2-covered HD display. Not unlike Apple's last two generations, there's a magnetically attached cover, but it's more than just a protector: here, it includes a full multi-touch keyboard and trackpad. As for expansion, you'll get one each of HDMI, microSD and USB 2.0 (sorry folks, no 3.0) as well as either 32GB or 64GB of storage, while software includes the usual Windows 8 accoutrements and a newly Metrofied version of Netflix. The Surface for Windows RT should arrive roughly in step with Windows 8, but Microsoft is only promising pricing "competitive" with similar ARM tablets -- and you're looking for a tablet with more grunt, you can spring for the Intel-packing Surface for Windows 8 Pro.

Be sure to check out our hands-on with the Surface!

[Thanks to everyone for the product link]

Gallery: Microsoft Surface Unveiled

Gallery: Microsoft Surface Glamour Shots

Continue reading Microsoft reveals its own Windows 8 tablet: meet the new Surface for Windows RT

Microsoft reveals its own Windows 8 tablet: meet the new Surface for Windows RT originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Live from Microsoft’s mystery press conference in Los Angeles!

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When Microsoft calls a last-minute press conference to make a "major" announcement, there's only one sensible thing to do: pack your bags, fly to Los Angeles and get ready to hear what Ballmer & Co. have to say. With no hints whatsoever (not even a cheekily worded invitation!), we've nothing but speculation and rumors to guide us as we head into this news conference. Will we hear about Win8 tablets -- specifically, a Kindle Fire competitor running Windows RT? Or maybe today's news elaborates on Xbox Music? All we know is that it won't have anything to do with Windows Phone, seeing as how Microsoft is holding another press event just two days from now where it's promised to give us a sneak peek at Apollo. Oh-so mysterious of Redmond, and all the more reason for us to host a liveblog. The doors here open at 3:30pm local time, so stay tuned as we bring you up-to-the-minute coverage on Microsoft's big reveal.

June 18, 2012 6:30 PM EDT

Live from Microsoft's mystery press conference in Los Angeles! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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