Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike L
I don't think it's all that expensive. The point about the Pro is that it's competing with netbooks and lightweight laptops. It can serve as a proper Windows-based computer, can be used as part of the corporate infrastructure, and can provide access to the entire third-party application market. It's not like the $499 Surface RT, which is essentially an iPad competitor.
Mike
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The first part I definitely agree with. A full Windows 8 Pro tablet at $899 is actually quite cheap. Comparing a Win Pro tablet to a mobile OS tablet is like comparing a truck to a bicycle. Get real people, you should measure the price against what they offer. "Anything above $300.- is way overpriced" makes no sense for something like the Surface Pro. You get what you pay for, if a simple tablet does the job then you shouldn't get a Surface Pro. The Surface Pro is for those who want one device to do virtually everything. It is a great feat packing all that power into such a small package. Consider that most advanced phones cost 500-800 off contract and you realize what a bargain this is.
But the Surface RT is definitely not positioned as an iPad competitor, it is positioned to do 90% of what a real laptop can do. MS office, you can just plug in USB key boards and mice, even USB wireless ones. Real side-by-side multitasking. Make no mistake, it is a real PC. A great choice, for many, not all (gamers, graphic artists, CAD users, etc should stay away). If all your needs are covered by what it can do it is a much better choice than the Pro -- lighter, longer battery life and much cheaper. Especially when you figure the price of MS Office into the equation.
As for games -- you can just use the wireless controllers from an Xbox.
Looks like mobile OS tablets will have go the way of e-ink readers --- as they have already started to --- becoming so cheap ($100-200) that they are almost disposable.