Last month, Microsoft announced not one but two versions of its new Surface tablet:
- An ARM-based, Windows RT-reliant version to be released in October of this year
- An Intel Core i5-based, full Windows 8 version to be released in January of 2013
It appears that the Surface Pro may be a real game-changer vis a vis’ the Apple iPad. The Pro version will answer a lot of questions and concerns that CIOs have about Apple in the enterprise environment. This device has generated a lot of buzz in the corporate world and CIOs are (usually) more likely to give serious thought about the platform and its compatibility with the existing infrastructure than the consumer who decides to buy an iPad simply because it’s an Apple product.
There are Pros & Cons to any new device in a fluid market like this. The most compelling Con is that there is no Wireless option available (Yet). While it would be really great to use the Surface Pro for Internet connectivity anywhere, the user will be restricted to Wi-Fi hot spots. A second Con is that storage options are limited to 64 GB for the Windows RT version and 128 GB for the Surface Pro. Will this be enough space to hold all the software that will allow a user to be both productive and mobile?
The success of the Windows RT Surface tablet may well depend on the success of the Metro interface. Samsung is rumoured to have a 7-inch tablet in the works that will run Windows RT and other manufacturers appear ready to follow suit. Fujitsu is already offering tablets optimised for Windows 8. To judge the potential impact and success of the Surface tablets for yourself, take a look at the suggested articles below.
For Further Reading:
Microsoft Surface: this time it’s business – Tech Republic
All about Windows RT: the OS behind a Microsoft Tablet – Computer World
Surface a real game-changer – Tech Republic
Five Pros and Cons of the Microsoft Surface Tablet – IT Solution Journal
If you’ve decided not to wait for the new Microsoft Surface and don’t have the wherewithal to buy an iPad then you need not worry; You have lots of affordable options available. Long-time discount e-tailer, TigerDirect, has a good selection of ten inch tablets available for well under $300. These tablets all use Google’s Android Operating system and the number of apps for this OS grows every day. The availability of apps is one thing to consider when buying a tablet but how you’re going to use your new device is an even more important consideration. For example, I love my HP Touch Pad even though it only has a fair selection of apps. Development of new apps for this device has come to almost a complete standstill since Hewlett-Packard shot itself in the foot with pin-point accuracy about a year ago. nonetheless, it still does exactly what I originally wanted to do:
- Allow me to send and receive e-mail
- Allow me to do a bit of web surfing from either the comfort of the den sofa or the bedroom upstairs
- Allow me to take notes for various projects like this blog
There are a few other misc. apps loaded on this device but they are only used intermittently, if at all. Whats more, the Touchpad only cost me $150.00.
So how do you decide which tablet is for you? PC Magazine has released the results of its 2012 Reader’s Choice survey for Tablets and E-book readers. As is to be expected, Apple’s iPad takes one of the top spots but if you want to just say no to Cupertino, you still have plenty of available choices.
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