Items tagged with Surface RT
Microsoft's Surface 3, released in late March, is one hot product. It could even be a possible iPad killer. With its true x86 processor, it's not much of a stretch to believe that owners of the original Surface RT are drooling over the upgrade, and Microsoft seems to realize that as well. If you're in that boat, how does a $150 trade-in offer sound? With its lowest-end Surface 3, that'd make an upgrade cost $350 rather than $500. That's actually a very tempting offer. In order to quality for the full $150, your Surface RT will have to have its original accessories and also be in good shape. Unfortunately, the entire process of the trade-in isn't so straight-forward: you'll need to ship the unit...
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It was really in Microsoft's best interest to make sure that its Windows 8.1 launch last week went off without a hitch, but that didn't quite become the case. Over the weekend, reports started to trickle out of device brickings involving Surface RT tablets. Select issues reportedly also plagued a few random Windows 8 Pro installs, such as the one with the ASUS Transformer Book we just posted a preview of, but that problem wasn't as wide spread as what was experienced with Windows RT. To those with bricked Surface RT tablets: A solution has arrived. There's just one downside: The fix is a complex process, sure to be considered ridiculously tedious even for the PC pro. An instruction PDF is made...
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There's really no arguing the fact that Microsoft slipped with its first generation Surface strategy, but rather than wave the white flag, the Redmond outfit picked itself up, dusted off its britches and listened to user feedback. Today, in New York, Microsoft held a press event unveiling its new Surface 2 products and the usual superlatives apply -- thinner, lighter, faster, better. Microsoft says that Surface 2 and Surface 2 Pro both benefit from "significant updates." Among them are improvements to processing power, better battery life, display and camera resolution upgrades, and a niftier Kickstand that now sports dual angles, making it more comfortable to use on your lap or desk. As...
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If you've been waiting (and waiting) for Microsoft to lower the price of its first Surface RT tablet, now's the time to jump. With many reports suggesting that weak sales are the root cause, Microsoft has gone ahead and slashed the entry-level Surface RT by $150, landing it at just $349. That's a sizable cut for the 32GB model, and while those who will need full Windows 8 support won't find it any more attractive, those just testing the tablet waters may. Staples and a few other partner outlets began slashing the price last week, and now Microsoft itself has made the cut official in its own web store. Despite millions in advertising, going up against the iPad has been a tough challenge. You may...
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When Microsoft decided to launch its own hardware with the Surface tablet, it was a big gamble, and many noted that even after its unbridled success in the operating system, software, and gaming hardware markets, the company may find the tablet hardware side of things to be tougher sledding. According to Bloomberg, that’s indeed what is happening now, as sales of Microsoft’s tablets are falling far short of expectations. Three sources told Bloomberg that the company has sold approximately one million Surface RTs and 400,000 Surface Pro tablets; while that’s not nothing, Microsoft reportedly ordered 3 million Surface RTs, which means that there are still 2 million of them sitting...
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When Microsoft announced that it would build an entirely separate version of Windows for ARM processors in 2011, it galvanized the entire computing industry. For decades, Windows and x86 had been synonymous terms, so this move to support alternative architectures was seen as a fundamental change in how Microsoft would approach future product development and software compatibility. Fast forward to the present day, and the future prospects for Windows RT are dimming fast. Samsung -- already having decided not to bring its Ativ RT tablet to the US due to low sales -- has now given notice that it won't sell the device in Germany, either. Windows RT sales have generally been lower than expected; Microsoft's...
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Depending on where you live, finding a 128GB Surface Pro in stock can prove challenging. Best Buy only allows you to pick one up in-store, provided there are any available, and the 128GB SKU is sold out online at Microsoft's online store and at Staples. That's the bad news. And the good news? Well, if all you're interested in is the RT version anyway, we can help you save a few bucks. Just head over to Staples' website, plop the Surface RT 32GB or 64GB into your virtual cart, and enter coupon code 99279. According to SlickDeals, the coupon code saves you $75, slashing the price of the 32GB model to $424 before tax and the 64GB model to $524 before tax, both with free shipping. Bear in mind that...
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History will ultimately tell us whether or not Microsoft's Surface tablet strategy was a sound one, but for now, we don't have the benefit of time and hindsight. In their absence, we have to rely on data and analysis from market research firms (as well as our own impressions), and it just so happens that IHS iSuppli has some interesting figures on Surface RT. Rhoda Alexander, an analyst at IHS iSuppli, told CNet that Microsoft has shipped about 1.25 million Surface RT tablets into the channel, but sales are "significantly lower," perhaps as low as 55 or 60 percent of total shipments. That works out to between 680,000 and 750,000 Surface RT sales. Compared to Apple's iPad sales, Surface RT isn't...
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After looking at the sales figures for Surface RT, Microsoft may find itself haunted by the words of Acer chairman and CEO JT Wang. Back in August, Wang stated in an interview with The Financial Times that Microsoft should "think twice" about launching a tablet of its own, saying that hardware is "not something you are good at." In our own review of Surface RT, we actually though Surface was fairly well designed, but we did (and still do) have concerns about the stiff competition it faces. Here's why. UBS analyst Brent Thill estimates Microsoft sold just 1 million Surface RT tablets in the fourth quarter of 2012, whereas previously he had forecast 2 million units, Business Insider reports. Apple,...
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Microsoft's official Twitter account for Surface delivered a gut punch to potential Surface Pro shoppers by confirming that battery life on the x86 tablet will be less than that of its ARM-based Surface RT slates. Much less. "Hey Shahroom, #Surface Pro will have approximately half the battery life of Surface RT," @Surface tweeted on Thursday, in response to a question about battery life. That's not a total shocker, considering Surface Pro is a much more powerful tablet. It's essentially a full blown notebook in a tablet form factor, with all the compatibility to run Windows 7 applications. It has a 10.6-inch screen with a Full HD 1080p (1920x1080) resolution, Intel Core i5 processor, a full-size...
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After re-imagining Windows 8, Microsoft desperately needs for its next generation operating system to be a success, and there are some early indications that it's headed down that road. Make no mistake, Windows 8 is heavily focused on the mobile crowd, and that's where Surface comes into play. Surface represents Microsoft's first foray into hardware (not including peripherals and things of that nature), and early indications are that it's off to a good start. Whatever stock of Surface tablets Microsoft had on hand to ship out has been depleted. Whereas initial pre-orders were promised delivery by October 26 (tomorrow), you now have to wait up to three weeks when pre-ording a Surface RT tablet,...
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