Microsoft Surface - the iPad killer?

[Karan]

So Microsoft has finally announced their tablet. Here are the specs:

OS: Windows RT
Weight: 676g
Depth: 9.3 mm
Display: 10.6-inch ClearType HD Display
Energized: 31.5 W-h
Connectivity: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2x2 MIMO antennae
Productive: Office ‘15’ Apps, Touch Cover, Type Cover
Practical: VaporMg Case and Stand
Configurable: 32GB, 64GB

Surface for Windows 8 Pro-
OS: Windows 8 Pro
Weight: 903g
Depth: 13.5 mm
Display: 10.6-inch ClearType Full HD Display
Energized: 42 W-h
Connected: microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort Video, 2x2 MIMO antennae
Productive: Touch Cover, Type Cover, Pen with Palm Block
Practical: VaporMg Case and Stand
Configurable: 64GB, 128GB

Do you think this has the potential to kill the current crop of tablets? Is this the start of a new revolution in the post PC era? Well, I am quite keen on buying the Surface!! What are your thoughts?

[Dark69Slayer]

Am I missing out on something or isn't it almost the same as the other "major tablets" -like Transformer Prime and iPad ?
One can buy a keyboard and use it with the others . Screen sizes are same .I don't know what "MIMO antennae" is .
And lastly its Windows 8- call me weird but I can't live with that UI for more than 3 months . Basically I just don't find why it stand out among the others except that kickstand which is pretty neat for watching movies or typing long posts/mails.
So am I right to conclude that all the hype for the Microsoft tag and for Windows 8 ?

[Flybear]

So Microsoft has finally announced their tablet. Here are the specs:

OS: Windows RT
Weight: 676g
Depth: 9.3 mm
Display: 10.6-inch ClearType HD Display
Energized: 31.5 W-h
Connectivity: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2x2 MIMO antennae
Productive: Office ‘15’ Apps, Touch Cover, Type Cover
Practical: VaporMg Case and Stand
Configurable: 32GB, 64GB

Surface for Windows 8 Pro-
OS: Windows 8 Pro
Weight: 903g
Depth: 13.5 mm
Display: 10.6-inch ClearType Full HD Display
Energized: 42 W-h
Connected: microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort Video, 2x2 MIMO antennae
Productive: Touch Cover, Type Cover, Pen with Palm Block
Practical: VaporMg Case and Stand
Configurable: 64GB, 128GB

Do you think this has the potential to kill the current crop of tablets? Is this the start of a new revolution in the post PC era? Well, I am quite keen on buying the Surface!! What are your thoughts?

Surface has the potential. Pricing is a sensitive issue for Microsoft.

[hatZim]

The Surface with Windows RT will be the iPad's first real competitor in my opinion. Of course as Flybear mentioned, pricing is going to be key and if they price the base model at around Rs 25000 (wishful thinking) it could really set the market on fire.

[coolpcguy]

From the rumour mill, it's expected ~$499.

[hatZim]

From the rumour mill, it's expected ~$499.

True, I'm guess that's the Digitimes report. I'm assuming it is the amount it takes to make one. Not sure if Microsoft will price it around that, they make choose to take a hit on it in the beginning (Sony PS3 style) and then recoup losses once they have created a space for themselves in the market. They're also hoping to make money from the app market, so that should be an added incentive to keep the price low. In fact, the more I think about it the more it seems to me that 25-30k pricing should be ideal for the base RT tablet. Do not that it probably does not come along with 3G/4G.