Microsoft Surface : First Impressions

As an 'Apple Fanboy', my expectation when I heard of the 'Microsoft Surface' announcement was very low. Microsoft were bound to try to compete with the iPad, and my instant reaction was that they would fail. This was before I actually looked into the Product. 

Following a detailed look at it, I must say that I am surprised at the product they have come out with.

Quite honestly, I think it is a very good attempt at competing with the iPad.

Aesthetically it is incredibly easy on the eye. Even though it features a built in kickstand and keyboard (Which I will speak about in more detail later on), they have still managed to create an appealing design. As you can see from the image, the back of it is attractive, and they have done a very good job with the incorporation of the stand. This is a very useful thing to have around at all times, and makes it very user friendly. 

The only thing I find unattractive on this product is the different coloured keyboard options. The black version looks fantastic, but for me I think the other colours look quite tacky and, well a bit 'plastic'. They just don't seem to go with the actual tablet, which is a shame. Personally I feel a black outline to the keyboard (on the keys and build) would help it to blend in. A shame, but still not a huge issue with the success of the product.

Microsoft have clearly aimed this at a very wide audience, hoping to tempt as many people away from the iPad as possible. The colour options make it more appealing to many who prefer brighter coloured devices. Although this doesn't include me, I know there are many people (like my mum), who will be drawn in by a bright pink keyboard!

The Operating System is, as expected, the Windows 8 'Metro' design. Having used the Release Preview of Windows 8, you can tell when using a mouse that it is designed for touch use - so I went ahead and attached a Touch Screen monitor so I could test it out. Unexpectedly, it actually runs very smoothly. Considering it is far from ready, I was pleasantly surprised by its usability. This can only be a good thing for the Surface. It may have the capability to draw away even the most loyal iOS users. 

The most important thing, as I mentioned before, was that this competes with the iPad. Microsoft are way behind in the tablet market, and this is a very good start for them. The kickstand and keyboard may just sway it for them for many users. Though a tablet, there are many who will want to use it as, in a way, a more portable laptop. This does that for them, once the kickstand and keyboard is out, it is practically a laptop. If the Operating System can hold its own, Microsoft may be on to a winner.

In conclusion, Microsoft seem to have done a good job. They have certainly created a product capable of  scratching the surface of the tablet market, and I for one look forward to seeing whether it can fulfill its promise. It can only be a good thing for Tech Enthusiasts everywhere that there is a strong competitor to the iPad - it can only push technology further and faster. It will be very exciting to see what Apples next move with the iPad is following this release.

I know most readers of this blog will be fans of Apple, just like me, so apologies if this article doesn't appeal to you. However, I felt the news to be something of importance to all tech enthusiasts, and couldn't help myself!

Thanks for reading, leave a comment with your thoughts.

Twitter - @Harrtron.

Source: Microsoft Surface and Smart Covers Weren't Ready

After yesterday's Microsoft event, I was left wondering with several questions. First of all, one of the biggest differentiator between the Microsoft Surface was something known as a Smart Covers (known individually as Touch and Type Covers): basically Microsoft's keyboard for the Surface. It is a 3mm thin cover (the Type Cover is slightly thicker) that doubles as a keyboard, and therefore, allowing people the portability option of just carrying the Microsoft Surface with Smart Cover slapped on top instead of an iPad and MacBook Air. It is brimmed with features - having a touchpad, accelerometer and all sorts of cool technology within. But here's the catch. Microsoft did not allow journalists to play, or even touch a working unit of the Microsoft Surface with Smart Cover. If this aspect of the tablet is so important to them, why not let people judge it for themselves? Well, here's why: It's not ready. A low-key source from the event emailed me saying Microsoft had specific instructions not to let anyone touch a booted up unit of the Microsoft because it wasn't ready yet. No wonder they weren't able to pull an Apple and say here it is, it's available today and you can pick it up for $xx. No wonder all the technology websites and blogs reporting an hands-on did not actually mean hands-on, but rather a hands-off.

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