The tablet industry is booming, with many people now sporting various kinds of flat electronic devices from Kindles and Nooks for reading to iPads and more fully-functional tablets. Microsoft has capitalized on this with their soon-to-be-released proprietary tablet, the Surface.
When I heard about it, I was skeptical, but looking into it, it looks like a really cool piece of technology. It runs on Windows 8, inspired by the Windows Phone OS and layout, with the multiple panes and the constant social connection and the automatic updates. The professional version of Windows 8 allows you to also drop out of the live-pane layout and go back to the original Windows start menu desktop view, which I think is a very cool innovation, because it gives that desktop familiarity. Also a new innovation with this tablet OS is the ability to open side-by-side windows on a tablet, similar to the snag feature of Windows, an ability that no other tablet on the market can do. Hardware wise, the Surface features a built-in flip-out kickstand on the back so that you can stand it up on a table without having a bulky cover. However, a cover is recommended, because the Surface cover features a magnetic bluetooth keyboard/touch mouse. It also features front and back facing 720p HD cameras.
Obviously Microsoft's answer to the iPad, the new tablet will be released on October 26th. The basic 32GB version without the cover is $499, with the cover is $599, and the 64GB version with the cover is $699. The current iPad out is $499 for a 16GB version, and then the same price for 32 and 64GB. These tablets are useful and innovative, given they're made by the two top computer companies out there right now, but one must question the necessity of getting a tablet that costs so much with not many features included, when a netbook or even a laptop run half as expensive, include much more, are more durable, and much more useful.
To iPad users, do you think it's worth it? Would anyone consider giving this new tablet a shot?
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