Microsoft's Surface: A Bite Out Of Apple?
Enter the computer world, and youʼll find Microsoft having more than 90% market share of desktops, compared with 6% for Apple. Now, enter the mobile and tablet world, and youʼll find Microsoft pushed aside in some hidden corner, while Apple and Google are taking away the fast-growing market. It is said that mobile internet users are expected to exceed desktop internet users very soon. The red lights are flashing! Whatʼs Microsoft going to do now?
Microsoft has read the writing in the wall and unveiled the Surface, a PC tablet -- the first commercial PC that Microsoft has directly designed and plans to sell.
Is the Surface better than the iPad?
On Monday, June 18th, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer showed off the tabletʼs new features including a 10.6 inch display screen, almost a full inch bigger than the iPadʼs -- the same dimensions as a movie screen. So, farewell black bars when watching videos. Surface also brings new innovations into the tablet world. The deviceʼs cover, for instance flips down to become a full keyboard. It features a rigid case built from magnesium, a pen that clicks into the tablet and a built-in kickstand. Usually, you would use an iPad to play games, do a google search or check mails, but Microsoft wants you to actually get some work done on the Surface.
However, Microsoft has been very vague about the pricing and release dates of Surface. Our best guess is a range all the way from $500 up to $1,200. It is said to come out in this fall.
Microsoft vs. Apple
Microsoft has always been the software giant in the past decades. We see Windows running on two-thirds of the planetʼs Internet-connected gadgets.Then why has Windows sales fallen dramatically last year? Thatʼs because we are looking for a more elegant, portable and simpler device for everyday needs and the iPad offers just what we all want. Appleʼs iPad revenue has surpassed Microsoftʼs Windows revenue in the past 9 months. In fact, Apple is now worth more than twice as much as its rival!
Plans and Strategies
Microsoftʼs traditional way of operating is to work with partners. But Appleʼs ʻwe make everythingʼ tactic is far more impressive. Appleʼs iPad success may actually be compelling Microsoft to get control over the hardware design, so that it works smoothly with the software. Hence, Microsoft is envisioning a real future in hardware, apart from making mice and keyboards.
Google is also mirroring Appleʼs strategies, expanding their role as an Android operating system designer to a smartphone maker. Even though, Microsoft has been in the hardware business for 30 years, they havenʼt been able to take off as well as its rivals. It would be a great entry into the hardware world, if Microsoftʼs Surface becomes a big hit.
The nexus tab is better
I love Micrososoft and Apple, but Microsoft shouldn't copy! Apple has had A LOT of companys copying them!
I like apple better than Microsoft because it has better devices.
i also wrote something like this too to young zine.
Microsoft could become a big hit
Already is. Do you mean the tablet?
true adella. always apple, apple, apple
This was a really well-written article, Sammy! I learned so much. :)
This is a great article. I would think that a lot of businessmen would give the Surface Tablet a try because it fits most of their needs. It would also be easier to type things in. I think this product is of great value, I would definitley purchase it. All these products have their strengths and weaknessess.
It's true. You don't hear about microsoft anymore. It is always apple.
I think you are a hundred percent wrong. Ever type up a document or a publication for Younzine? Where did you type it? I typed mine on MICROSOFT WORD.
When your friend says, "Hey, I've just bought a new a Microsoft tablet," it won't appeal to us as much as, if she said, "Hey, I got a new iPad." So, Apple is considered more cooler in today's world than Microsoft.
I know what you are saying ish. What I mean is you never hear your freinds or just people saying that microsoft makes such cool stuff. It is always apple. I use microsoft for everything I do.
Good point. This new tablet could change that though.
I know. The new tablet is so cool. Google is about to come out with another tablet. I forgot what it's called though. :-)
I think it is called a Nexus 7. A least it said that in the news. There are so many new tablets, Amazon's Kindle Fire, Microsoft Surface, iPad, Google's new one. Google said that their tablet was meant to compete with Amazons since they are priced the same 199 each. Which one would you buy?
Also the Nexus 7 has a keyboard which is really good too.
I'm not sure. I don't know which one would benefit the most. The ipad has cool apps and is good for surfing the web. (Or at least that's what Iv'e heard). But the Nexus 7 has good things too. It is also good to have if you have some google products or accounts. Which one would you pick?
I'd probably take the Surface because i think it would be the best choice for me. Have you read the leftbrained/rigthbrained article? I am a left brain and I think this would suit me the best. I'm not really into cool apps.
Yes I did read it. I was pretty much 50/50.
The best device would be one that is combined of all the tablets. Unfortunately, that is not possible.
I know right. I also think that nooks are really good too.
I think I would like that one best. The only thing I don't like about
it is that it has a light. We have two regular kindles and I can sit there
for hours and it doesn't hurt my eyes.
I heard on the news that Microsoft will be funding the Nook so it can add the nook's software to it's surface. Learning this, i think you would like the Surface. Apple is making one which is only 7.9 inches screen size.
Thats cool. Your right this is a long discussion.
I recently got the Surface and my friends are
actually surprisd that the thing is so good. I like
it a lot, especially the keyboard. I think the Live
Tiles are what make it geat though.
Wow, this was a really long discussion. The sentences are even cut off.
I like Apple but I like Microsoft equally. Great article!