Microsoft Surface Tablet

[Connector]

Now that Microsoft has made its move with the Microsoft surface tablet, how do you all think it will do compared to the ipad? I know there are some things that I like and somethings I don't.

The biggest thing I like about the surface is having a microsd port. I know that is my biggest complaint about my ipad, and it would be nice to stick in a sd card and instantly get more memory. Also their inclusion of usb and hdmi is nice too.

I like the size of the ipad better, and the looks are better. It seems like the ipad will still have better resolution, so that is an advantage for the ipad.

I guess it'll be a while before we see it running, but I personally think it will make the ipad better since competition always brings out the best. I wonder too if the surface will have bluetooth joysticks because it seems like they will integrate into xbox live a lot.

I really wonder if gaming will be better on it or the new ipad.

Your thoughts?

[Anctoh]

It might encourage some developers to make games for Win 7 OS, which I guess is what that tablet will run on. It's something they need, considering Win 7 phones count for only about 5% of the smartphones in America.

[Fireball926]

Gaming wise it appears its going to crush apple just because it can run steam and some fairly recent games like Civ. 5. Being an apple fanboy I have to admit this tablet looks pretty decent.

[Anctoh]

Originally Posted by Fireball926

Gaming wise it appears its going to crush apple just because it can run steam and some fairly recent games like Civ. 5. Being an apple fanboy I have to admit this tablet looks pretty decent.

It can run steam?

You're saying apple actually has competition?

[Fireball926]

Originally Posted by Anctoh

It can run steam?

You're saying apple actually has competition?

Yeah apparently... This is a good thing though. Apple will have to step their game up.. A LOT

[B34$T]

Originally Posted by Anctoh

It might encourage some developers to make games for Win 7 OS, which I guess is what that tablet will run on. It's something they need, considering Win 7 phones count for only about 5% of the smartphones in America.

This runs Windows 8 yo.

Anyway this looks fantastic. The Keyboard cover and impressive tech and specs (gorilla glass ftw) make me really want one. It may be my first non-e-book tablet I buy.

[AnarKitty]

There's no question this will force both Apple and major Android partners to step up their game across the board, both in terms of tablets with the RT ARM-based models and the Ultrabook-class Professional models, too. How things actually go will depend on real-world availability and pricing, though, and in the case of the RT iPad competitors, a truly healthy app store.

[Connector]

Originally Posted by Fireball926

Gaming wise it appears its going to crush apple just because it can run steam and some fairly recent games like Civ. 5. Being an apple fanboy I have to admit this tablet looks pretty decent.

Can anyone explain what steam is and how the Microsoft surface would use it? And couldn't Apple make a comparable service?

[tygamr]

Originally Posted by Connector

Can anyone explain what steam is and how the Microsoft surface would use it? And couldn't Apple make a comparable service?

Steam is a computer gaming platform for PC and Mac. It is owned and run by Valve- the creators of Half Life, Left 4 Dead, Team Fortress, Portal, Counterstrike, etc. It's basically like PSN or XBOX Live- both a marketplace for games, and a social gaming network with achievements.

It would only work on the pro version though, as far as I know. Apple does already have a comparable service- the AppStore and Gamecenter, though Steam has big blockbuster games in addition to small indie titles, and amazing sales (better deals than the AppStore offers- they often sell big games for crazy low prices. Example: I got Fallout New Vegas and Fallout 3 GOTY almost a couple of years ago for like $10 in a bundle and also got Borderlands for $5). Steam is the best game marketplace I've usee IMO.

[DodgerBlue016]

If this can run Steam and all, then it means its gonna be stinkin' good. Anyone thinking that iOS and Steam are on the same par is kidding himself, Steam is far above in terms of quality. That said, we'll see if there's anything else that'd sweeten the deal. Probly won't pick up any tablet, but this is quite an interesting idea.

If it can run Steam it's ahead of Apple by a good deal (hopefully Apple will finally approve Onlive at least) but if not Apple is still ahead there.

Why Apple doesn't try to do something like this is beyond me. Abandoning the iTouch, leaving Onlive in the void, and sitting on their hands does nothing for the gaming territory, with the app store's apps and games being the one thing that's made it far better than the rest. They better step up their game or they'll be losing a lot of their non-fanboy customers.