Microsoft recently released their new Surface product and yes I got one. I truly enjoy this new pad and have a few things to say about it.
I'd like to dispel any idea that this should be considered as an iPad replacement. I'm not sure it should even be considered to be in the same category. Aside from the fact that the device has a totally different shape and format (9.5x7.31 vs 10.81x6.77), the Surface is also running a completely different type of operating system. Yes the current versions of the Surface are running on an ARM CPU. Yes the current version of the Surface only allows apps to be installed if they're available on the Microsoft store. The major difference is the feel of a truly multi tasking OS that looks and reacts exactly as your desktop computer reacts.
So what are the pluses and minus's to the Surface? If you've ever typed on a touch screen device you've probably been a bit frustrated with it. The Surface has the best keyboard I've ever used on a touch screen. If you purchase either optional keyboard you're in for an even bigger treat. The Surface becomes more of a laptop replacement than an iPad or Android OS alternative. Another huge plus is the inclusion of Microsoft Office. No other device on the market can compete with this. And yes its a full blown copy, not a gimped down version.
The major draw backs are obvious very quickly. Windows simply doesn't have the App store that iOS or Play Store that Google has. You don't have to even work very hard to find missing Apps. If you're an avid user of IM chat programs you'll notice your favorites are likely missing. Yes there are alternatives but if you're like me you like the ones you're used to using (Trillian or Pidgin ?).
The future is very bright for this device and line of products. The very behavior that was Apple's undoing during the 1980's could lead to similar results in the 2010's. History does repeat itself. A closed single source platform vs. the world looks to be developing. Many pundits point to Android and they're right, its established. I would point to other markets that Microsoft has decided are important to them and caution against betting against them. Think about the Xbox vs Play Station battle or going back a bit further, the browser wars. Yes Microsoft stumbled with prior attempts at tablets, don't count on them staying down for long.
