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Originally Posted by CyGuy
For me removable storage is not close to #1, but it is required of course. It would like purchasing a brand new car with no heater. Having a heater is not the #1 thing I look for in a new car but I certainly won't buy one if that is missing. It is not optional, it simply has to have it or it's not even on the list for consideration. "Just wear a jacket" does not make up for a missing heater, not even close. "Just use the cloud" does not make up for a missing card slot, not even close...
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The car anologies are amusing, bur let's face it, an SD card slot isn't really like a car heater-it's maybe more like a detachable car trunk. Regardless, you haven't really addressed the issue of business model. Businesses don't manufacture devices according to what is technically feasible or even desireable; they manufacture devices according to what's PROFITABLE. Apple and Amazon have made a business decision about removeable storage options on mobile devices , and consumers have clearly gone along with that decision.
You might dislike it, but there it is. Its interesting that Microsoft hasn't announced pricing on the Surface yet. The reason is because the pricing decision is key. According to rumor
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Late yesterday rumors surfaced that the Surface for Windows RT tablet would be priced at ‘above $599′ and that the beefier Intel-based version would be ‘at least’ $799. The information we’ve received solidifies the $599 mark for the RT model but puts the Ivy Bridge Pro model into the thousand dollar range.
These prices would seem to match up roughly with the statements made by Microsoft Surface general manager Panos Panay at the introduction event earlier this week. Panay said that the Windows RT model would have “comparable” pricing to other ARM tablets with 32GB and 64GB of storage. We’re assuming, but are not sure, that the $599 price refers to the 32GB model.
As a report earlier today from Bloomberg tips the initial models to be WiFi-only, the pricing would be initially comparable with the 32GB WiFi iPad. The specifications of the Surface, however, especially the 1366×768 screen, wouldn’t make it as attractive an option at that price when compared to a the Retina-display-packing iPad. It would also price it above the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and other comparable ARM tablets, which run in the $399 range.
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Pricing makes the choices a little more clear than abstract discussions of what "should" be the features on devices. Is it worth it to you to pay 599 for SD card and USB options on a wi-fi enabled tablet with a 32 GB drive, but that is an untested device with an undeveloped ecosystem? If so, then put your money down.